At least three teams are looking forward to a midseason infusion of offense from a veteran designated hitter. If all goes according to plan this summer, the Indians, Rays and Athletics will each add a DH nearing the end of his career. Johnny Damon, Hideki Matsui and Manny Ramirez agreed to play on minor league deals and Vladimir Guerrero is in line for a similar contract if his workouts impress interested teams.
Teams take on minimal risk with these contracts, but there’s no guarantee that the players can hit enough to earn a 25-man roster spot. Damon, Matsui, Ramirez and Guerrero were once Hall of Fame caliber contributors, but they’re all at least 37 years old now, well into their decline. Which minor league deal will turn out best?
Which player will produce the most in 2012?
Johnny Damon
51.71%
(4,547 votes)
Manny Ramirez
20.16%
(1,773 votes)
Vladimir Guerrero
16.36%
(1,439 votes)
Hideki Matsui
11.77%
(1,035 votes)
Total Votes: 8,794
If vlad plays, he’ll be most productive. However, that’s a big if. Damon is the safest choice because of this.
None of the above.
Manny may be able to put up Solid Numbers
I vote Manny.
Manny at DH >> Damon in the field.
Also, Vlad and Matsui were pretty bad last year.
I voted Damon partly because of wishful thinking on my part.
I don’t want manny on the big league squad
I like Matsui, if the time off helped his knees at all he can be a real force, even at his advanced age.
All I have to say is this; for those not old enough to have been able to watch MLB BEFORE the Steroid Era, THIS is how OLD ball players were supposed to be.
Guys weren’t out there at 38 playing every day and putting up numbers like they were 28. No, they were barely hanging on to their careers.
As far as fans back then where concerned, we just HOPED that our favorite guy who used to be really good (or even great) had ONE MORE decent year in them before they retired (and if they didn’t we HOPED they didn’t embarrass themselves too badly before they realized it was time to retire).
none of them above seeing as Damon just recently signed his minor league deal & Matsui did same thing yesterday.. It too early to judge out of the choices who was better minor league signing until they get to major & when season is over.
It’s Branyan.
All of these guys should retire with dignity instead of hanging on. They’ve had very successful careers and earned a boatload of money – now it’s time to leave. I think there is something pathetic about once great players who won’t walk away when it is obvious that they are only a shell of their former selves.
A very valid point – and one that’s been made many times on this site, but these days players have more in₵entive than ever to $tay in the game as long as po$$ible – even when realistically it is time to hang ’em up. :/
That’s a pretty pitiful list, if you ask me.
None of them will have any impact. Time to hang em up boys!
Uh, I guess Damon? Manny can’t play for another month, Matsui just signed his deal, and Vlad doesn’t even have a job.
Once Vlad gets in games, I’m sure he’ll be the best. Arizona is an odd choice but obviously GM’s know more than we do about what they need and want. Some want to win, some want to get fans in any way they can, some have ulterior motives, some are trying to save their job.
For a real crapola list they should add Jermaine Dye, Maglio Ordonez, Derek Lee and Bobby Abreu…..
Maybe, maybe, but I’m a bit surprised Lee is still out there, I thought Cleveland, Pittsburgh, or Atlanta would have signed him long ago. Money or maybe he doesn’t really want to play yet?