Headlines

Go To Pro Hockey Rumors
Go To Hoops Rumors

Manny Ramirez

Quick Hits: Ramirez, Acta, Blue Jays, Cubs

By | at

Sunday afternoon linkage..

  • Unable to find an MLB opportunity, Manny Ramirez has agreed to sign with the EDA Rhinos of the China Professional League, agent Barry Praver told Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com.  Late last month, we learned that Manny Ramirez had a verbal agreement in place with the club but had the option of backing out if he landed a deal with an MLB team before March 7th.
  • Former Nationals skipper Manny Acta has joined ESPN as an analyst but he still hopes to return to the dugout as a manager, writes James Wagner of the Washington Post.  Acta said he was contacted by some teams for jobs as a bench coach or special assistant this winter but none as a manager.  After managing two organizations during rebuilding stages, he plans to wait for the “right opportunity.”
  • It would appear that the out-of-options Jeremy Jeffress has a good chance of making the Blue Jays as he has impressed in spring training, tweets Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports.
  • There's lots of trade talk surrounding Carlos Marmol and Alfonso Soriano, but Cubs manager Dale Sveum is unfazed by it, writes Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times.

Manny Ramirez To Sign With Taiwanese Team

By | at

Manny Ramirez has a verbal agreement to sign with the EDA Rhinos of the China Professional League, Enrique Rojas of ESPNDeportes.com reports (Spanish link). However, the agreement won't be completed until March 7th. Ramirez has until that date to reach a deal with an MLB team, but he expressed optimism about playing in Taiwan.

"It will be a new experience, experience another culture while I keep doing what I love and all I've done in my life, playing baseball," Ramirez said.

Ramirez, a client of agent Barry Praver, told Rojas that his representatives called almost every American League team that could use a powerful bat. However, "nobody was interested" in the words of Ramirez. Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports reported earlier this month that Ramirez was in talks to play for the Rhinos.

Ramirez recently played in the Dominican Winter League, but he last played at the MLB level with the 2011 Rays. He signed with the Athletics last winter, only to be released in June, before he played in a big league game. Ramirez has 555 home runs and a .312/.411/.585 batting line over the course of a 19-year playing career that includes 12 All-Star Game selections and multiple suspensions related to performance enhancing drugs.

Manny Ramirez In Talks With Taiwanese Team

By | at

Manny Ramirez, who ranks 14th on MLB's all-time home run list, could resume his playing career in Taiwan. The 40-year-old slugger is in talks to play for the EDA Rhinos of the Taiwanese professional league, Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports reports (on Twitter).

Ramirez recently played in the Dominican Winter League and wants to continue his MLB career, agent Barry Praver told Morosi last month. However, MLB teams such as the Indians didn't appear to have interest in Ramirez this offseason. 

Ramirez last played at the MLB level with the 2011 Rays. He signed with the Athletics last winter, but they released him in June, before he played in a big league game. Ramirez has 555 home runs and a .312/.411/.585 batting line over the course of a 19-year playing career that includes 12 All-Star Game selections and multiple suspensions related to performance enhancing drugs.

Indians Considering Thome, Hafner

By | at

The Indians are looking to add a hitter and could spend modestly to supplement their offense, Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com reports. The team is considering a reunion with several former Indians, including Jim Thome and Travis Hafner, Heyman reports. Though there’s been “a hint of buzz” about a reunion with Manny Ramirez, he’s not a consideration. 

The Indians don't have an obvious internal DH option at this point, assuming Mark Reynolds plays first base. GM Chris Antonetti recently acknowledged that Hafner remains an option in Cleveland. Thome, 42, played for the Phillies and Orioles in 2012. He has said he's not retired and would consider playing because he still feels good physically.

Heyman identified former Indians such as Johnny Damon, Casey Kotchman and Grady Sizemore as other potential options for Antonetti. Free agents Aubrey Huff, Luke Scott, Carlos Lee, Jason Giambi and Juan Rivera are also available. Indians designated hitters ranked 11th in the American League with a .226/.317/.385 batting line in 2012.

Quick Hits: Ramirez, Stanton, Blue Jays

By | at

Manny Ramirez, who is now playing in the Dominican Winter League postseason, wants to continue his MLB career, agent Barry Praver told Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports (Twitter link). Ramirez last appeared in an MLB game in 2011, but the A's did sign him last February. Here are some more links from around MLB…

Zach Links contributed to this post.

Quick Hits: Leyland, Orioles, Chris Perez

By | at

Let's take a look at the latest news and notes on what could be the final day of the 2012 baseball season.

  • Jim Leyland's future as manager of the Tigers is still unclear, tweets Tom Gage of the Detroit News. Before tonight's World Series game, Leyland said nobody puts a team together better than team President/CEO/GM Dave Dombrowski adding "hopefully he feels I'm the guy to manage it."
  • The Orioles' most pressing needs for 2013 are a frontline starter, a second baseman, and dealing with the unsettled positions of left field and first base, writes MASN.com's Roch Kubatko. 
  • Manny Machado and Dylan Bundy are among the Orioles who could make a big step in 2013, according to Rich Dubroff of CSNBaltimore.com.
  • The Indians should only trade Chris Perez if they feel Vinnie Pestano can replace him as closer, opined Paul Hoynes of the Cleveland Plain Dealer as he delved into his readers' mailbag. Hoynes also believes Lonnie Chisenhall will be given every opportunity to be the everyday third baseman and Sandy Alomar, Jr. would have been the slam-dunk choice as manager, if Terry Francona hadn’t been so adamant about getting back in the dugout.
  • In the wake of Shohei Otani's announced intention to pursue a MLB career rather than play in Japan, Japanese baseball officials are considering stricter rules for amateur players who want to do the same, reports the Associated Press (via the Boston Herald).
  • Tom Kotchman denied he was forced out by the Angels insisting his decision to leave was due to a desire to find something closer to his Tampa-St. Petersburg area home, reports Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times. 
  • Congratulations to Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle, who was named the first female president in the 104-year history of the Baseball Writers Association of America.
  • Manny Ramirez's quest to resurrect his baseball career has the slugger heading to the Dominican Republic in hopes of catching the eye of a potential suitor during a tryout for three Japanese teams, writes George A. King III of the New York Post. 

Daniel Seco contributed to this post.

Rosenthal On Dempster, O’s, Jays, Astros, Indians

By | at

Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com has the latest from the rumor mill in a pair of videos, the Rosenthal Report and Full Count. Here's what's going on …

  • The Cubs are shopping starter Ryan Dempster to multiple teams, including the Dodgers. Chicago is willing to include significant amounts of cash in any trade in hopes of landing better prospects. Dempster has 10-and-5 rights, however, and thus can veto any deal, although he's willing to move to a contender.
  • The Orioles are pursuing starting pitching and scouted both Dempster and Matt Garza this week, although the Diamondbacks' Joe Saunders may be a better trade fit for Baltimore.
  • The Blue Jays are asking around for pitching help, although they may end up sellers before the non-waiver trade deadline.
  • The Astros are willing to listen on "virtually all of their players." Younger players like Jed Lowrie and third baseman Chris Johnson are all in play, although it would take a huge offer to pry away second baseman Jose Altuve.
  • The Indians are unlikely to make a move for a DH type like Vladimir Guerrero or Manny Ramirez. Their bigger need is a player who can play left field — perhaps someone like Carlos Quentin — but they first need to figure out where they stand with Travis Hafner and Grady Sizemore, who are both injured.
  • The Marlins will have trouble bolstering their weak offense because of a depleted farm system. With Emilio Bonifacio injured, their most obvious need is center field. The Twins' Denard Span and perhaps the Phillies' Shane Victorino are potential targets.
  • The Angels no longer have room in the starting lineup for the injured Vernon Wells now that Mark Trumbo and Mike Trout have solidified the outfield, and one rival GM thinks Wells could be released when he's ready to return from the disabled list.

Quick Hits: Manny, Youkilis, Indians, Hernandez

By | at

Manny Ramirez is a free agent after being cut loose by the Athletics and says that he wants to continue playing, but it's not clear where he might get the major league opportunity that he's seeking.  The Rockies don't have any need for Manny, tweets Troy Renck of The Denver Post.  Orioles GM Dan Duquette, who brought Ramirez to Boston, told Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe (via Twitter) that he has no interest in signing him.  Unsurprisingly, the Dodgers aren't interested in bringing Mannywood back to Chavez Ravine, Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times tweets.  Here's more from around baseball..

  • Scouts from around baseball aren't terribly hot on Red Sox third baseman Kevin Youkilis, writes Cafardo.  "He’s been an outstanding hitter in this league for a long time. But given some of the injuries, he’s got to show that he’s completely healthy and that he can still be the same hitter he was," a veteran scout said.
  • Indians GM Chris Antonetti says that the trade market is still not clear, tweets Jordian Bastian of MLB.com.  There are more buyers than sellers but the team will look at bats and arms as the market develops.
  • Pitcher Livan Hernandez doesn't plan on retiring after being DFA'd by the Braves yesterday, writes Mark Bowman of MLB.com.  The 37-year-old posted a 4.94 ERA with 5.5 K/9 and 2.3 BB/9 in 31 innings out of the bullpen for Atlanta.

AL West Notes: Manny, A’s, Saunders, Vargas

By | at

Manny Ramirez has been eligible to join the A's major league roster for more than two weeks after completing his 50-game suspension, but the slugger remained in Triple-A.  Last night, the situation reached its logical conclusion as Ramirez requested his outright release and the team obliged.  Here's more on Manny and a look around the AL West..

  • Ramirez told ESPNDeportes.com's Enrique Rojas that he isn't mad at Oakland for not promoting him and hopes to continue his career.  "The A's treated me amazingly during all this time, but sadly didn't have space for me and this is something I can't control. I'm going home to continue my training hoping to get the chance to play again," said the slugger.
  • Pitcher Joe Saunders was emotional when he learned that the Angels were trading him to the Diamondbacks in 2010 as part of a package for Dan Haren, writes Lance Pugmire of the Los Angeles Times.  Looking back on it now, the hurler says that he is glad to be a part of the building process in Arizona.
  • Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports (via Twitter) says not to discount the Mariners' Jason Vargas as a trade candidate due to his road ERA (4.53).  In total, the left-hander has a 3.95 ERA with 5.7 K/9 and 2.3 BB/9 in 15 starts this year.

Athletics Release Manny Ramirez

By | at

The Athletics have announced that Manny Ramirez has requested his outright release and the team has granted his request.  The veteran recently completed his 50-game suspension and was eligible to join the club on May 30th.

Ramirez, 40, hit .302/.348/.349 for Triple-A Sacramento in 69 plate appearances this year.  Just last week, A's GM Billy Beane said that the club hadn't decided whether to release the slugger.  Oakland signed Ramirez in February and Beane insisted that the move had everything to do with baseball and nothing to do with PR.

Show all

MLB Trade Rumors is not affiliated with Major League Baseball, MLB or MLB.com

Do not Sell or Share My Personal Information

hide arrows scroll to top