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Manny Ramirez

Manny Ramirez Rumors: Monday

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Time to collect today’s Manny Ramirez rumors.

  • Scott Boras tells Yahoo’s Tim Brown that Manny pays for himself.  Brown says the Giants are "believed to be considering" Manny; they similarly signed an aging Barry Bonds to a large extension back in ’02 (four years with an option).  Brown feels the American League is a better fit for Manny, though.
  • Ken Davidoff of Newsday talked to an NL exec who believes Manny will get four years.  He has a hard time figuring which team will seriously compete with the Dodgers for Ramirez.  If Boras succeeds in starting a bidding war, maybe he gets five years.
  • Peter Abraham says six years would be "madness," and sees the Dodgers going four years.  He predicts Ramirez re-signs with them after much drama.  Sounds reasonable.
  • The Phillies continue to be tossed around as a solid fit for Manny; Joel Sherman mentioned it yesterday.

Olney’s Latest: Teixeira, Sabathia, Ramirez, Burnett

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Buster Olney has some fun-to-read analysis of last night’s game, as well as some solid rumors for our consumption:

  • The Yankees seem almost destined to sign Mark Teixeira this offseason, but while it’s been suggested that Teixeira is seeking upwards of 10 years, $200MM, the Yankees may be looking to offer half of that, or "a deal in the range of 6 years, $18-20MM a year." Good news for the Orioles who look to be the biggest competitor for the Yankees in pursuing both Teixeira and A.J. Burnett.
  • The Yankees are gearing up to offer CC Sabathia "an offer that may dwarf those of other clubs, by a factor of 30 or 40 percent." Olney feels that may be a necessary surcharge to convince Sabathia to pitch in the Big Apple.
  • An interesting note: a few months ago, the suggested numbers for a Manny Ramirez contract were 3 or 4 years and $45MM; however, Scott Boras is effectively "working to change the perception of what is an acceptable offer… trying to raise the bar in the minds of teams, so that in the end, somebody might give him 3 years, $60MM and feel like they’re getting a bargain." I’ll add that Manny has done a lot, if not more, to change this perception as well.
  • Make of this what you will but Derek Jeter, whether intentional or not, contributed toward restoring Roger Clemens’ image by standing beside him on the sidelines of the nationally televised Longhorns game yesterday. Olney notes, "I know a whole lot of image-conscious players who would not have done that." Clemens is still unsure whether he is officially retired or not.

Cubs Considering Manny?

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From the speculative rumor mill, Phil Rogers of the Chicago Tribune suggests Manny Ramirez could be what the Cubs are missing, and the opportunity to bring him to Chicago could be there this offseason.  Says Rogers,

"With the aggressive nature of general manager Jim Hendry and the anything-to-win approach in the Lou Piniella era, don’t rule this out—not if the Dodgers would take on a big contract or two from the Cubs…

There’s no way the Cubs can play two left fielders, so [Alfonso] Soriano would have to go for Ramirez to come. Soriano seems to be essentially an immovable object with six years and $106 million left on his contract, but the Dodgers will need two things if they don’t re-sign Ramirez—power hitting and another buzz guy."

Rogers cites bad contracts on both teams that could facilitate a deal, but I think this is a reach. The Cubs would need to deal Soriano or Aramis Ramirez, both with no-trade clauses, specifically to the Dodgers to free up enough cash to sign Manny who’s seeking a 6 year contract with "iconic money". This would also hinge on the contingency that the Dodgers would pass on Manny to acquire Soriano or Aramis Ramirez, both of whom paled in comparison this offseason.

Odds and Ends: Springer, Sheffield, Bonds

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How about some weekend odds and ends?

  • Free agent reliever Russ Springer intends to pitch next year, and he prefers the Cardinals.  The Cards haven’t discussed a contract with him, though, and they might prefer their younger (and cheaper) righthanded relievers.
  • Dave Cameron thinks Nate Robertson might be a sleeper, based on his peripheral stats.  Boof Bonser is another pitcher whose ERA didn’t match up with his other numbers this year.
  • Peter Woodfork apparently bowed out of the Mariners GM job competition after his interview.  The Ms could decide between Tony LaCava, Jerry DiPoto, Kim Ng, and Jack Zduriencik by Tuesday.
  • Scott Boras won a $550K decision against former client Gary Sheffield.  Will Sheff make good on his February promise to say "ugly things" about Boras now?
  • Phil Rogers speculates on Manny Ramirez in a Cubs uniform, but admits they’d have to somehow move Alfonso Soriano first.  Small obstacle: $106MM owed to Soriano over the next six years, plus his full no-trade clause.
  • Yahoo’s Tim Brown says Barry Bonds could be awarded $100MM or more if the players union wins its collusion case.  Bonds would like to play in 2009, but no one expects it.

Heyman’s Latest: Yankees Offseason Plans

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The latest column by Jon Heyman of SI.com is full of all kinds of Yankees notes:

  • They will pursue a top-of-the-rotation starter, and yes, C.C. Sabathia is one of them, but the list also includes A.J. Burnett, Jake Peavy, Derek Lowe, and possibly Ben Sheets. As we wrote yesterday, Peavy’s agent said he’d need "a lot of convincing" to approve a deal to the American League.
  • According to Heyman the goal is for the Bombers to "secure more than one of them."
  • The Yankees have targeted Mark Teixeira but may also take a look at Manny Ramirez (Heyman has mentioned the Manny to the Yankees possibility before, as has Ken Rosenthal).
  • Interest in Teixeira almost certainly means that Jason Giambi is not returning in 2009.
  • Center field is another position the Yankees hope to fill, but they may go the trade route and Heyman mentions Phil Hughes and Ian Kennedy as possible bait.
  • If Mike Mussina decides to pitch again in 2009, the Yankees would want him back. A couple of weeks ago, Buster Olney wrote about a "growing sense" that Mussina would be returning for another season.

Alejandro A. Leal writes for UmpBump.com and can be reached here: alexo05  -at- umpbump -dot- com.

Odds and Ends: Pitt, Manny, White Sox

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Links for Friday…

Dodgers Rumors: Manny, Nomar, Lowe, Penny, Kent

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Dylan Hernandez of the L.A. Times discusses the Dodgers’ upcoming busy offseason, while Bill Shaikin focuses on Manny Ramirez.

  • Nomar Garciaparra is undecided about playing next year.  He hit .264/.326/.466 in 181 plate appearances in 2008 while earning $8.5MM.
  • Manager Joe Torre seems to consider pitching the top offseason priority.  Makes sense, with the statuses of Derek Lowe and Brad Penny in question.  Hernandez’s sources say Lowe felt underappreciated during his time in L.A., and he is expected to leave.  It’s unknown whether the Dodgers will choose Penny’s $9.25MM option or the $2MM buyout.
  • Hernandez doesn’t see GM Ned Colletti breaking up his core group of young players to acquire Jake Peavy.
  • The departure of Jeff Kent is near-certain  Blake DeWitt can step in at second or third base.
  • The Manny situation is difficult, because the Dodgers will take a lot of heat if they won’t meet his asking price (perhaps $100MM+).  Former Dodgers GM Fred Claire suggests a more reasonable offer of three years, $60MM.

Odds and Ends: Iguchi, Varitek, Bonds

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Linkage for Thursday…

Manny Quotes

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Manny Ramirez gave a few quotes last night after the Dodgers were eliminated:

"I just want to go home and spend some time with my family.  I want to see who is the highest bidder. Gas is up and so am I."

Manny on whether he wants to be in L.A.: "We’ll see."  Manny asked what he’s worth: "I guess you got to talk to my agent now.  I’m a five-tool player. That’s me now."   Hmmm…even Boras can’t convince anyone Manny brings speed or defense to the table.

On the high end, a six-year, $150MM deal has been suggested for Ramirez.  T.J. Simers suspects owner Frank McCourt would prefer to make a valiant effort and finish second in the bidding.  Buster Olney believes the Dodgers are better suited signing C.C. Sabathia.

Six Years For Manny?

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5:45pm: SI.com’s Jon Heyman also talked to Boras, and the word "iconic" was used.  Uh-oh.  Six years, $150MM?  Heyman sees the Yankees, Mets, and Blue Jays as suitors aside from the Dodgers.

4:36pm: When the idea of a six-year contract for slugger Manny Ramirez first surfaced (from Manny himself), it was not considered a serious possibility.  However, the New York Post’s Joel Sherman had a long conversation with Scott Boras, who strongly hinted that Manny legitimately deserves six years.

Boras points to Barry Bonds and Alex Rodriguez, two iconic players paid to age 42.  Boras brushed off the messy Boston exit, referring only to "internal issues that were a concern."

Here’s the thing about Boras: he says or strongly implies a lot of questionable things.  Recent examples:  12 years for A-Rod, the Cardinals failing to win the division in ’07 because they didn’t sign Jeff Weaver, and Oliver Perez not being erratic.  It’ll be a winter full of amusing Boras rhetoric, with Perez, Joe Crede, Eric Gagne, Felipe Lopez, Derek Lowe, Ivan Rodriguez, Mark Teixeira, and Jason Varitek also eligible for free agency.

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