Manny Ramirez with MLB.com
Let me be specific with this. I don’t know if it will be 3 yrs with an option, or just 4 years, but I do believe Manny will get 4 total years with the Dodgers.
This off-season has been all about leverage. The Dodgers played theirs, while so did Boras and Ramirez. In the end though – who will end up with the last leverage? Manny. Absolutely Manny, and not the Dodgers. There may be a little bit of a compromise, but it will be the Dodgers who will have to flinch first.
Manny is a future Hall of Famer. He knows it. He wants to add to his resume, but time is on his side. He’s already made his millions and he’s just looking for the right deal to end his career. He can wait all season if he needs to.
The Dodgers on the other hand can say they can wait until mid-season like last year, but in reality, the Dodgers have a lot more circumstances that will affect them eventually giving in. First, the fans. The fans will start to put significant pressure on the Dodgers. This may come by comments, but it will more come by staying away from the ballpark, and more specifically Spring Training. The Dodgers invested a lot in a new facility, and in Dodger stadium, and they need a return. Manny can bring that return.
The Dodgers will also receive pressure if the team starts out slow. If the pitching falters, and even more if the offense sputters (even during Spring Training), the pressure will be on to fix it, and to add Manny. The more pressure, the sooner the Dodgers give in.
Manny is the star. He can produce. He did produce, and he will produce. Will he be the best left fielder in 3 years? Probably not, but if he can rack like he did last year, it will be put aside. That in my mind is why he will eventually be signed to his terms. He’s told Joe Torre he wants longevity. If the Dodgers really want him, he will get his deal. He’s drawn this out until Spring Training, and he will keep it going as long as he needs to.
The Dodgers have given him a locker in Arizona, and they keep saying they want him, but Manny knows eventually he will have the leverage he needs. Make no mistake, Scott Boras knows this too.
I’m calling it right now. Manny will get 4 total years with the Dodgers.
Tags: Manny Ramirez, Scott Boras
I am not sure that your prediction will come true. I understand the thought process and it makes sense, I once shared the same sentiment. But the Dodgers have made it clear that they are prepared to take their current lineup into the season and give the young guys a chance to make an impact. And if Furcal plays like he did last season (before the injury), Ethier, Kemp, and Loney will all improve, and Casey Blake has his typical season (.280 20 hrs) then they will have a good lineup that will score alot more runs than last year.
Now if they tank then yes there will be tremendous pressure to get someone new in. But at that point Boras will have TOO much leverage against the Dodgers and will exercise it. This fact will force the Dodgers to look elsewhere, like say a trade with the A’s for Holliday whom they would love to sing next season to a long term deal.
I don’t disagree on Holliday. I’d love to see him in Blue. I don’t know. I just think Manny is going to end up in a 4 total year deal. We’ll see. I don’t think the offense will be bad, but I just think the pressure may mount. It will get tight, and then Manny will be the shining star….