Oct 23 2008
Manny may get A-Rod money.
Only in Hollywood can a exiled player be reborn again. According to early reports Manny Ramirez may get as much money as Alex Rodriguez yearly. Rodriguez is making about 25 mil a year and Manny may get close to that but just not the kind of length. It will be interesting if he gets this money after being exiled in Boston.
Only in LA can someone make a comeback like what Manny may do in this off season. However being 38 does he deserve that much money? His post season numbers are obvious he is much better than compared to Alex Rodriguez numbers whom has been a great regular season player but has yet to prove in various occasions in the playoffs. The one thing that Manny has going for him lately is he has made his teammates better since his arrival and he alone got the Dodgers into the playoffs. Before Manny’s arrival the Dodgers were pathetic offensively.
Now on defense the LA Dodgers may have to suffer for the next couple of years in left field as Manny has proved that he is a far cry and just plain bad defender. However, remind you Barry Bonds played left field until he was forty two and Manny is four years younger than he was. I believe Joe Torre can live with that as long as Manny stays commited offensively and he also continues to impress his teammates with his deligent pre game preparation. Remember Joe Torre has dealt with many big head athletes over the years including Dereck Jeter and A-Rod whom I am sure never were on the same page as Tore. They won until they got into the playoffs and I beleive Manny is both of them combined with just more hair.
Before we all endorse Manny Ramirez wait until pre season when I am sure if he gets all of this money how motivated he really will be in March and April. Which are historically a laughing stock of excuses and inexuces that seem to follow with Manny Ramirez. Can Torre handle that effectively and not let Manny be an early distraction to some of the younger up in coming players on the Dodgers? Only time will say that will occur. Maybe LA should just wait until the season starts and then pay Manny all that money, but you know if not LA there will be another team willing to deal with Manny because of all of the post season success. I just do not think Boston is on top of that list although I am sure someone else will, especially in the American League.
Last thought, Kenny Williams from the White Sox should get in on this Manny Ramirez party, unfortantely for Kenny and manager Ozzie Guillen they have an up incoming left fielder in Carlos Quentin. However with Griffey asking for 16 million for the option year and Jim Thome losing bat speed Manny is only asking for another nine million which is nothing if your talking about those three guys. Ozzie Guillen is as crazy as Manny is and he is the coach. Unfortantely Manny might not like playing in the cold months of April and May which are a far cry from sunny days of southern California. Although seeing that lineup of Paul Konerko, Manny Ramirez, Jermain Dye and Carlos Quentin may be something else. If you think the White Sox scored a lot of runs this year try putting Manny in that lineup. All I am saying is think about it Kenny.
