Manny Ramirez wasted no time rejecting the Dodgers' latest offer, a one-year, $25-million proposal that was presented Sunday to his agent, Scott Boras.
In a conversation with Times columnist T.J. Simers late Monday night, Boras said he informed Ramirez about what he classified a suggestion by the Dodgers and that the All-Star outfielder turned it down. Boras said that he informed the Dodgers of Ramirez's decision.
The Dodgers could find themselves in a bind if Ramirez receives a multi-year offer from another club. If Ramirez is offered what he considers a fair deal, sources close to him say that he wouldn't grant the Dodgers a chance to match it.
You almost have to believe that the Dodgers are at the point of no return. Having originally offered two years, then cutting it to one, it's hard to imagine them tucking their tails between their legs and increasing their offer in the future. The longer I let this stew, the more evident it becomes that Manny might not be back next season. And, as some have pointed out, that wouldn't be the end of the world.
The stare-down just got more intense. Someone is going to blink soon, and when they open their eyes they might not find anyone looking back at them.
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Of course Manny and Boras rejected the offer. And it's probably safe to assume that Boras rejected the offer and Manny's only input was "ok, boss." Boras has been embarrassed in recent years and he is intent on getting his way and re-establishing his dominance as the earth's one and only Undisputed-Heavyweight-Champion-Super-Agent.
However, I have to admit that it has been fascinating to see the signing of Manny develop into a national phenomenon. Literally everyone is talking about it.
I woke up this morning fully committed to Adam Dunn, Orlando Hudson, and Randy Wolf. Weird.
I agree with everything that Nat said.
As for Dunn...I just don't care for his brand of baseball. He's basically a big idiot who can't play the field or run the bases but can hit HR's.
Hudson is a good player but he gets hurt quite often and I'm not convinced he's leaps and bounds better than DeWitt. Maybe bringing in Hudson allows the Dodgers to trade for an outfielder.
I think Wolf is coming regardless.
Manny is going to be the one with the short straw at the end of all this. Boras will look like the perfect agent, trying to get the most money for his client to no end.
The Dodgers are actually playing this one smart sticking to their gameplan. Signing Manny to anything greater than 2 years allows Manny (I hate the damn phrase "Manny being Manny") to slack off. A 1 year deal forces Manny to be productive if he ever wants a payday again, but with Boras behind the wheel, 1 year will never happen.
I hope for it all to come together, but if we are willing to spend $25 mill on him this year and don't get him...the Dodgers should spend that money to grab all the rest of the free agents and have a 75 man roster going in to spring training.
Eat that Yankees.
"All of the rest of the free agents"? So we've missed out on the best ones while getting jerked around by Boras and Manny for four months? And I'm not so sure we have to be concerned with "Manny being productive". By all accounts he's committed to making sure his numbers get him into the HOF. If you were Manny, in an ideal world you would sign one last long contract to finish out your career. In this case as I've said before, it's really the DH rule or lack of it in the NL, which really hurts the Dodgers here. You can't tell me you don't want his bat in the lineup when he's 40. One of the most prolific hitters in baseball history.
I guess in my argument for Manny, I shouldn't say the Dodgers have been jerked around, but rather the other way around. The Dodgers were given him for free (duh Coletti, no brainer) and he proceeded to hit .400 for two months, salvage their season, and win a playoff series for the first time in 20 years. All the while a phenomenon takes place within Dodger World and a badly needed star is here. Once again the Dodgers are the talk of radio and TV (shocking). So in return for all of that, the most he's been offered is 2 years, and the Dodges response to him wanting more, is to offer him less- 1. All the while McCourt and Coletti have risked a PR NIGHTMARE and FAN REVOLT if he went to another team. I guess y'all know my feelings on this.
Vida-
We feel your pain. I don't think there's anyone that doesn't want Manny back.
It would be a sad day if we learned he signed with another team.
However, how many times are you going to ask a girl out that keeps rejecting you?
What you do, is you do more to get it done. You bring better flowers, write a better poem, make an a_s of yourself in front of the whole school. Some girls, ahem, players, transcend the falling economy. You pay the man, and you don't do it "on the cheap".
Vida has a point...we need to whoo Manny.
If I'm Ned I'm online at proflowers.com ordering Manny and Scott a lovely bouquet.
Later tonight I'd be on Manny's front lawn throwing a couple pebbles at his bedroom window. He'd see me playing my acoustic guitar and singing... "Baby come back".
No one could resist that kind of charm.
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