The Cubs announced that they have signed Manny Ramirez to a minor league deal to be a player-coach at Triple-A Iowa. Ramirez is represented by Praver/Shapiro, as shown in the MLBTR Agency Database.
“While Manny is not and will not be a fit on the Cubs major league roster, we do think at this stage of his life he’s a nice fit as a mentor for some of the young talented hitters we have in the organization,” Epstein said in the press release. “Manny will coach full-time and play part-time in a limited role that does not take at-bats away from our prospects. If he shows there is still some magic in his bat, perhaps he will find his way to the major leagues and help another team, but that is not why he is here. We are thrilled that he wants to work with our young hitters and make a difference.”
Ramirez, who turns 42 this week, last appeared in the Majors in 2011, when he made 17 plate appearances for the Rays and was then served with a 100-game suspension for PED use. The suspension caused Ramirez to briefly retire, but he returned and served a reduced 50-game ban after signing a minor league deal with the A’s before the 2012 season. Ramirez spent 2013 playing in Taiwan and for the Rangers’ Triple-A affiliate.
