Manny Ramirez Rumors: Tuesday
SI.com’s Jon Heyman says the Yankees aren’t optimistic about signing Mark Teixeira, and "seem ready to pounce for Manny Ramirez." He says the Yankees "love the idea of Manny."
Heyman notes that Teixeira signing with the Red Sox would be ideal for Manny and Scott Boras, since Boston is not a possibility for Ramirez. The Angels might have heightened interest in Manny if they are unable to sign Tex.
Odds and Ends: Astros, Saito, Yankees
Links for Monday night…
- Astros GM Ed Wade is "kicking the tires" on players to share time with Geoff Blum at third next year. It seems unlikely that they can afford Ty Wigginton.
- The Marlins haven’t yet inquired on Takashi Saito, a recent non-tender.
- It’s "very unlikely" though "not impossible" that Mark Teixeira or Manny Ramirez becomes a Yankee according to Tyler Kepner. He also thinks that the longer Andy Pettitte waits, the lower the chances are of a return to the Yankees.
- Adam Everett thinks the Tigers are a great fit for him. Tigers GM Dave Dombrowski said Everett’s in line to get most of the starts at shortstop.
- Felipe Lopez could be a positive for the D’Backs in spite of his questionable effort and unspectacular defense, writes Keith Law.
- Rob Neyer thinks that the Yankees "pretty obviously overpaid" for A.J. Burnett.
- Here’s a video clip of Bronx Banter authors and Anthony McCarron debating the pros and cons of the Burnett signing.
- Sarah D. Morris weighs in on the Dodgers’ offseason moves.
- Tony Massarotti ranks the five worst current pitching contracts.
Scioscia Asked Francona About Manny
Newsday’s Ken Davidoff passes along a report from The Sports Lodge radio show. According to Davidoff:
The skipper [Mike Scioscia] disputed the idea that he wouldn’t want Manny Ramirez on his team, and he said that the Angels have reached out to Red Sox manager Terry Francona to get a feel for what it’s like to have Manny on your team. I wonder how that conversation went?
Ken Rosenthal has quotes from Scioscia. Scott Boras is going to have to play a few teams off each other if he’s going to get three guaranteed years for Ramirez.
Davidoff also has a quote from Scioscia suggesting Jake Peavy "would be a good fit" for the Angels (and vice versa). Meanwhile, SI.com’s Jon Heyman explains why the Angels are still players for Mark Teixeira.
Yankees Pursuing Manny
3:26pm: Ken Davidoff has a different opinion on the subject of Manny’s future in New York, as well as a couple of other interesting free agent names. From his Sunday update:
"I would not bet so much as a penny on the Yankees acquiring Manny Ramirez, Ben Sheets or Mark Teixeira. Andy Pettitte can come back, and Mike Cameron will come aboard if the Brewers take Kei Igawa. If deals involving those two guys can’t happen, then maybe a starting pitcher/centerfielder in those price ranges (one-year investments for about $10 million) will wind up in the Bronx. But that’s about it."
9:21am: The New York Post’s George A. King III reports that if the Yankees can’t get Mark Teixeira, they’re "right there on" Manny Ramirez.
"If they pass on Teixeira, the Yankees will try and bolster a sagging lineup with Ramirez… And to clear some money, they might entertain offers for outfielder Xavier Nady, who made $3.35 million last year, is arbitration eligible and a free agent after the 2009 season."
The article mentions a three-year deal despite Scott Boras seeking five. King suggests Jermaine Dye is another option; however, Dye has the Yankees listed as one of six teams to which he would veto a trade.
This article was updated by Alex Walsh, who can be reached at alexander.walsh@gmail.com.
Manny Feels Ignored; Threatens Retirement
Just when you thought you’d seen it all from Manny Ramirez… here we go again.
Ken Davidoff writes that Manny is feeling ignored on the free agent market, and will consider retiring if he doesn’t receive a good offer soon.
I give this about a 0.3% chance of being a legitimate threat, and about a 99.7% chance that this is the old cliche of Manny being Manny at this point.
The Dodgers took a two-year, $45MM offer off the table when free agency began. The Yankees have interest but are unlikely to pursue if they land another quality starting pitcher. The Nationals have been thrown around, but they’re wrapped up in Mark Teixeira right now. In the meantime, it’s good to know Manny is still enjoying himself…
Ramirez told a friend that he spends most of his time working out, watching cartoons and playing video games.
Manny Ramirez Rumors: Thursday
Yesterday we heard from Ed Price that the Dodgers were internally considering guaranteeing a third year for Manny Ramirez. Ned Colletti’s comments today are along the same lines:
"Scott outlined what they will need and we’re not interested in doing five years or four years, a long-term deal. We want the player back and we’re willing to pay a very high salary to bring him back — but short-term."
Boras Speaks
Scott Boras held court with the media in Las Vegas this evening. Here’s the full transcript. Amy Nelson described the scene.
- He has contract offers for Mark Teixeira from every team with interest. It’s possible that Tex could reach an agreement by the end of the Meetings, but it’s certainly possible he doesn’t. Boras defended the idea of Tex signing with a losing team based on Tigers signings he brokered a few years back.
- The Red Sox offered Jason Varitek a contract.
- Boras on Ned Colletti’s comment that he hadn’t heard back since their offer to Manny Ramirez: "I think you’d have to revisit that with Ned Colletti, that information is inaccurate."
Manny Ramirez Rumors: Wednesday
10:13pm: According to Ed Price:
The Dodgers have had internal discussions about extending their contract offer to Manny Ramirez to three years.
9:47pm: Dan Graziano’s source suggests "there is a push by some members of the Yankees’ organization to make a play for free-agent outfielder Manny Ramirez."
5:02pm: Despite numerous reports to the contrary, Bill Shaikin of the L.A. Times says the Angels are "believed to be considering a two-year offer to Manny Ramirez." Shaikin adds that Juan Rivera remains on the Halos’ radar.
4:12pm: Jayson Stark talked to a source who said the Angels have zero interest in Manny.
9:59am: Jon Heyman talked to people close to Hank Steinbrenner who say he wants Manny. Heyman says the Yanks are mulling a run at the slugger.
9:28am: T.J. Simers talked to Dodgers GM Ned Colletti, who said Scott Boras told him four other teams have expressed interest in Manny Ramirez. Colletti quipped: "That’s good. I wouldn’t like to see a guy out of work."
Manny Ramirez Rumors: Tuesday
11:20pm: Yahoo’s Tim Brown talked to roughly half the teams in baseball, and could not identify a suitor for Manny aside from the Dodgers.
8:26pm: Tony Reagins said the Angels signing Manny is "not a likely scenario."
1:30pm: Manny apparently still seeks the same six-year type deal. Rosenthal says Colletti told Boras he’ll need to talk to Frank McCourt before further conversations can occur.
11:25am: ESPN’s Jayson Stark says "Scott Boras met with the Dodgers late Monday might to discuss the return of Manny Ramirez." While Manny is still open to signing with the Dodgers, they have not put their two-year, $45MM offer back on the table.
Brian Fuentes Rumors: Tuesday
10:59pm: Rosenthal says the Nationals are also in the mix for Fuentes. His source says they want to sign Mark Teixeira or Manny Ramirez, plus Fuentes. Nationals GM Jim Bowden said on November 12th, "We are not pursuing Manny Ramirez."
9:49pm: Rosenthal says the Cardinals, Angels, and Tigers are showing interest in Fuentes.
8:29pm: Doug Melvin said he met with the agents for Fuentes, Trevor Hoffman, and Kerry Wood today.
8:05pm: John Perrotto expects the Brewers to move to the front for Fuentes. I imagine they might try to sort out the Sabathia situation first.
5:46pm: According to Derrick Goold and Joe Strauss, the Cardinals have engaged in conversation with Brian Fuentes‘ agents. With K-Rod setting a lower-than-expected ceiling to the closer market, Fuentes could enter the Cards’ price range. GM John Mozeliak said on 1380AM today that he’s yet to dig his heels in on Fuentes though. You have to wonder if the Tigers will take a serious look.