After turning down a one-year, $25 million deal from the Dodgers for his client, agent Scott Boras hinted that his client is still generating interest from other teams, including the Washington Nationals, San Francisco Giants and New York Mets.
It is somewhat true that the New York Mets, San Francisco Giants and Washington Nationals are among the teams known to be at least closely looking into the option of Ramirez in left field. However no teams seems willing to pay him more than $20 million a season. And this creates a problem due to the fact that Manny doesn’t seem willing to play for this price.
Still, some people do believe that the Mets could potentially still offer a multi-year deal for Manny.
At first, at this point, I think it is insane for a team to subject themselves to the antics of Manny. But after you scratch the surface maybe he would fit in in New Shea.
First, I don’t even think that Manny is necessarily being greedy in his contract dealings. I think it is something deeper and even more deceitful than that. I think simply, Manny no longer enjoys playing the game the way he used to. That boy-ish, always smiling Manny that we all loved is gone. I honestly think he would not mind retiring in the coming weeks, if that is what it comes to. He can use these contract situation as the crutch to move on into retirement. This whole thing is nothing more than an act and an excuse.
That being said, I think that the Mets do have something to gain from signing Manny to a 2 or 3 year deal. They are moving into a new stadium and need to sell tickets. The Yankees have already made their atomic bomb sized splash and the Mets need to keep pace. The team doesn’t have great chemistry as it is; so ehy not at some more talent?
They should offer 3 years at an average of $20 million a year. They could attempt to sweeten the deal with incentive bonus’ because a motivated Manny is a dangerous baseball player. That’s the key. However, this might make Boras’ head explode.
In the end, to be honest, I just want to see him sign with one of these National League teams so I can watch Manny flop around in left field until he is 40-something.
Manny Ramirez turns down Dodgers offer [LAtimes.com]
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