MLB.com has learned that in the 2 1/2-hour meeting, the Dodgers officials offered Ramirez a variation of their original two-year deal, guaranteeing $45 million for two years ($25 million the first year and $20 million the second).However, the third-year option of $15 million from the first proposal was dropped and, at Boras' request, the second year is a player option so Ramirez could become a free agent again after the 2009 season.
Having offered both a one year and two year deal previously this allows the Dodgers to limit their commitment while allowing Manny to score one more giant contract should he (and by he, I mean Boras) so choose. The contract also addresses the issue of Manny rolling over on his team as he now must be on his best behavior should he decide to test the waters again next year. I find it doubtful that a professional athlete would purposely dog it without extraneous circumstances working against him, but those thoughts have probably crossed the mind of the Dodgers once or twice. On the surface, it appears to be a win/ win for the front office.
But I’m not a part of the front office.
I’m thrilled that Ramirez appears to be getting closer to Dodger Stadium, but after all the drama, the back and forth, and the uncertainty, wouldn’t it be nice to keep him around longer than a single year? After all, you don’t remodel the house only to sell it shortly after. I love Manny Ramirez more than I can explain, which is why it's going to hurt so much to say goodbye so soon.
When Ramirez lights the NL on fire in 2009, we’ll be waiving goodbye to Mannywood in 2010. Ramirez will have set himself up for a final payday, a day that was never going to come with the Dodgers. He’ll (again, Boras) bide his time in the Ravine until the economy recovers, players get injured, and another team comes calling. And when they do, Ramirez will hang up on the Dodgers so quickly we’ll be staring at Juan Pierre in left field before we know what hit us. And that, my friends, will be the worst stomach punch around.
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1 comment:
It's a mistake to allow him to walk away after one season. Manny is guaranteed to sell merchandise while he is a Dodger which is why it's weird to me that they won't go 2 or even 3 years guaranteed with him.
Manny will make money for this team... something that Casey Blake, Jason Schmidt and Juan Pierre didn't even bring to the table when they were locked up to multi-year deals.
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