Manny Being Stupid

It looks like Scott Boras and Manny Ramirez have just completed the next chapter in the ridiculous melodrama, “Manny Meets Free Agency.” In a struggling economy, Ramirez and his agent have decided to once again turn down a 2 year, $45 million contract offer from the Dodgers. Not only is it a deal worth an average of $22.5 per year, but if Ramirez isn’t happy after the first season, HE CAN OPT OUT! That’s the best of both worlds for the man who thinks he’s worth $100 million over 4 years. At this point, Boras & Ramirez have rejected the Dodgers four times.  It’s like the guy that keeps asking out the same girl in high school and keeps getting rejected.  At some point, you just have to move on!

 Here’s the release from the Dodgers front office:

LOS ANGELES — The Dodgers today received a letter from Scott Boras, the agent for Manny Ramirez, rejecting the offer that the club made yesterday. This rejection is the fourth by the agent in the club’s attempts to sign Manny.

“We love Manny Ramirez,” said Dodgers Owner Frank McCourt, “And we want Manny back, but we feel we are negotiating against ourselves. When his agent finds those ‘serious offers’ from other clubs, we’ll be happy to re-start the negotiations.

“Even with an economy that has substantially eroded since last November, out of respect for Manny and his talents, we actually improved our offer.

“So now, we start from scratch.” –Inside The Dodgers

For some reason, Boras seems to think there’s an overwhelming market for the dreadlocked power hitter. The problem is that all of the teams that could have been in the market to sign Ramirez have already made their offseason moves. People kept trying to link the Angels and Ramirez, but they put those rumors to rest when they signed Bobby Abreu. Then the Nationals came up in discussions until they signed Adam Dunn. None of them are looking to sign another guy that they can’t afford—they are looking forward to the start of the regular season.

Are they really looking for more than $45 million?

Of all of his potential suitors a few months ago, the only team that still may be a place for Ramirez to land is the San Francisco Giants. To that point, Boras has repeatedly implied that Manny could end up in the Bay Area. But as spring training has already begun, the 4 offers by the Dodgers continue to be the only offers Ramirez has received. The Giants STILL have not offered the Ramirez camp any sort of offer. I’m not sure how serious they can be if they continue to just wait on the sidelines.

Unfortunately, this could be the last straw for many Dodger fans. In a horrific economy, Boras and Ramirez had the audacity to turndown an offer that would have paid him $25 million next season and would have given HIM the option if he wanted to pick up $20 million for another year of his service. In what parallel universe is that good advice?

I’ve stated on more than one occasion that I wanted Frank McCourt and Ned Colletti to do whatever it took to sign Ramirez. It’s obvious to the baseball world that Manny Ramirez in the middle of the batting order converts the Dodgers from an average team to a team that could compete for the pennant. The most recent offer from the Dodgers was a clear overpayment, but it was designed to end this ordeal once and for all. Mission Not Accomplished.

At this point, the ball is in Manny’s court—which is to say it’s in Scott Boras’s court. If they’re holding out for a better deal than this one, they might be waiting for quite a while. Why would anyone offer more than the 2 years, $45 million that he’s already rejected (twice). But here’s a better question: WHO would offer more? It certainly doesn’t look like the Giants are willing to propose any more than the Dodgers offered. If he’s still holding out for a 4 year contract, then he should probably focus on getting a THREE year deal first. Baby steps.

It’s frustrating to watch this situation come to this. Yesterday afternoon, it seemed like Manny would be in Dodger Blue by Friday morning. Now, the two sides are even further apart than ever. But why? Ramirez is the perfect fit for the Dodgers. Looking at their team, the Dodgers desperately need a dangerous bat in the middle of their lineup. And the Dodgers are the perfect fit for Manny. He’s already well liked in the locker room and by the fans. Its just plain stupid—get it done already!

Most importantly, the Dodgers are the perfect fit for Manny because they’re the only ones offering any money. Since it’s obvious that he’s looking for the most money possible, the Dodgers are his best option. Right now, they are his ONLY option.