Manny Ramirez
Look, we have to go here, I just hope we don't spend a lot of time on this planet. Anyone interested in improving the Yankees for 2009 has to at least consider that signing Manny would help. And yes, I understand the guy is a total ass.
But, you have to admit, other than A-Rod is there a better righty hitter in the game? Plus, unlike A-Rod, Manny seems to do better when the pressure is on, thriving in the clutch. (To be fair to A-Rod, no matter how much you don't like him you have to say he never would have quit on a team the way Manny quit on Boston earlier in 2008) You could sign Manny in 2009, put him in left, Damon in center and Matsui at DH. After 2009, Manny could split time between left and DH. Plus, he would be coming back home- playing every night about 10 minutes from where he grew up.
If I type anymore, I am going to be sick. Manny may be one of the most talented hitters I have ever seen, but he is also the biggest ass I have ever seen. Boston fans adored him and defended him until he stopped playing for them and now LA is embracing him. Don't be fooled, as soon as he is comfortable again he will stop playing at the same level and revert to his old habits. The best thing in all of this is his agent, Scott Boras, comparing Manny to Bonds when saying he deserves a five or six-year deal. (First question I would ask if I were the GM sitting across the table from Boras and Manny is "does Manny do HGH and other illegal steroids too?" because if that is the standard, I want to know my future player is doing everything he can to emulate Bonds) "Let the buyer beware" has never been a more appropriate saying ever.
I am not even going to waste your time with this nonsense. instead, I want to know if there is a Yankees fan out there who wants Manny on the team in 2009? Is there anyone who would like this move?
(And, I will make my pitch for signing a former Red Sox or two in the next few days)
Comments
Mets/Dodgers/Yankees
What do these three teams have in common?
All three will be joining the Manny sweepstakes to overpay for a .300 hitter that will hit 30 homers in the regular season with dreams of the .400 hitting monster the Dodgers saw.
As soon as Scott Boras and Manny sign the piece of paper, Mannymania will begin the descent back to reality.
He may have a great first year, say .320 and 40 HR. See, to me that is $15M-$20M in the market, not $25-28M as is now being discussed.
Ok, your post was specific to the Yankees. I actually see the Mets winning out here in a bidding war that ends at 4 years at $28 per. Write it down, that is my prediction.
Would I like it if the Yankees signed him? Absolutely. Now I realize Manny would probably beat the Sox a game or two of the 19 they play next year but the pleasure that would come from watching the relationship over time would be priceless.
Evidently the Dodgers are going to propose 2 years at $55m which of course will get rejected on the 2 year part but set the bar at $27-$28 per.
Happy hunting. The Yankees could, with a bad move or two and with bad injury luck, could be in a cycle not unlike the 80's. Sign the biggest names and rebuild on the fly.
Manny and Sabathia signings require them losing draft picks, right?
Posted by: blmeanie | October 23, 2008 07:44 AM |
Bl- Yes they will, but the Yankees will probably get draft picks from the teams that sign Abreu and Giambi, so I think it would be a wash.
I could definitely see the Mets all over him. Omar Minaya is said to love Manny and they really need corner OF help.
Posted by: Peter![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://yankeesredsox.com/nav-commenters.gif)
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October 23, 2008 07:56 AM
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Does Girardi have Torre's skills when it comes to managing a guy as difficult as Manny?
On the positive side, he's a great hitter. Look at his stats. He never has a bad year. And can you imagine how much better A Rod would be with Manny hitting behind him? It's a better one-two punch than Ortiz/Ramirez.
On balance, though, I would take a pass and hope Manny stays in the NL. The money is just too much and his age is too big a factor. Other than Ted Williams and Barry Bonds, what power hitter keeps it up when he is pushing 40? Even Aaron, while quite productive at ages 37-39, was very ordinary by 40. Ramirez will be getting paid 20+ million when he's 40 in the fourth year of a five year deal. Mantle, Maris, Frank Robinson, Mike Schmidt, Mark McGwire, Sammy Sosa -- all crapped out by their late 30s. And was there ever a better pure hitter and good citizen than Mattingly? Look what happened to him.
No way.
Posted by: Corey | October 23, 2008 11:03 AM |