Los Angeles Times columnist T.J. Simers has pointed out that, now that Mark Teixeira is off the market, the Dodgers have Manny Ramirez right where they want him.
As fat pitches go, even Andruw Jones could hit this one out of the park, Manny Ramirez now sitting there with nowhere else to go but the Dodgers.
So what do the Dodgers do?
“We’re still interested in talking about Manny,” said Dodgers GM Ned Colletti.
But is this Frank McCourt’s dream come true, or his worst nightmare — and the Dodgers really do end up with the guy?
He’s certainly not going to tell me, but we’re all going to find out in the next few weeks.
The Yankees, meanwhile, came to terms with Teixeira on Tuesday, and there’s probably a better chance of the Red Sox bringing back Babe Ruth than Ramirez.
So the Dodgers have no competition. It’s like playing in the National League West — they just have to show up with something, almost anything to win.
Why wouldn’t the Dodgers sign Ramirez after already offering him more than $45 million? Concerns about his defense? His attitude? Did something happen last season while he was playing here that has yet to surface publicly?
If the Dodgers want Ramirez, Tuesday was the start of a great New Year with everything falling in place. Their toughest decision now: Do they go cheap on a two-year deal and maybe tick off the guy, or allow him to save face after leaving behind two years in Boston and sign him to three years?
He probably believes he has one more contract to sign after this one, since it won’t be the five- or six-year deal he expected. He’s going to want to go somewhere to set himself up for another big payday. And L.A. presents a mighty big stage.
Right now how many teams are going to look upon Ramirez as the guy who changed the Dodgers rather than Manny being Manny, the Boston quitter?
Listen, Manny. At this point, whatever contract you sign is going to make you around $25 million a season. That’s quite a sum to earn when you don’t even have to play defense. The Yankees and Red Sox are going to be the two most exciting teams to watch next year. However, neither of them want you. The Yankees cannot afford to sign you to the five-year, $125 million deal that you’re seeking. The Red Sox would rather play a Beanie Baby in left field than bring you back. Are we so stupid to believe that you will sign a long-term deal with a team that can’t compete? You can finish your career in Texas and make enough money to buy the franchise. Unfortunately, you’ll turn into a traveling circus act, rather than the darling of Los Angeles.
So, for once, Manny, don’t be Manny. Take the two to three-year deal with the Dodgers. The team and city both love you. Remember what you did last year? You proved that a single player can carry a baseball team on his back. That hasn’t been done since Ted Williams.
Look, the titans in the east are standing tall and strong. Stay with the team that has a shot at beating them, the Los Angeles Dodgers. That’ll shut everyone up, once and for all. Then you can finish your career in New York…as a pitcher, because CC Sabathia and A.J. Burnett are on the DL.
