Highest bid nets Manny Ramirez

min0 lee · 10-17-2008, 06:32 PM

Highest bid nets Manny Ramirez
BY ADAM RUBIN
DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITER

Friday, October 17th 2008, 9:19 AM

LOS ANGELES - Manny Ramirez expressed appreciation for the Dodger Stadium fans in the left field stands who chanted, "Stay, Manny, stay," during Wednesday's ninth inning. But an hour later, after Philadelphia had eliminated Los Angeles in Game 5 of the NLCS to advance to its first World Series since 1993, Ramirez made it clear what his priority would be in free agency: maximizing his income. After all, he kidded, gas prices are at an all-time high.

The 36-year-old Ramirez, who arrived in Los Angeles at the July31 trade deadline in a three-team deal that landed Jason Bay in Boston, hit .396 with 17 homers and 53 RBI in 53 games as a Dodger the remainder of the regular season. He then hit .520 with four homers, 10 RBI and 11 walks in eight postseason games, which included a three-game sweep of the favored Cubs in the division series.

"I think I showed everybody here that I'm a five-tool player - can run, can hit, play the outfield, steal bases," Ramirez said.

Ramirez expressed no burning desire to return to the Dodgers or to play anywhere else in particular. (Well, he did joke that Kansas City was out of the question.) His winter home is in Miami, and he indicated he has no geographical preference, since his children would be in school in the city where he relocates. Agent Scott Boras had $20 million options for 2009 and '10 dropped from Ramirez's deal when he was traded to the Dodgers, so clearly the goal is exceeding that average annual contract value over a longer period.

While Mets GM Omar Minaya has long admired Ramirez, it would appear the organization would be better served spending its dollars elsewhere this winter - and not just because Ramirez should be 40 by the time his next contract expires, raising the potential of injury that has haunted the Mets at the back end of recent deals.

The Mets have four major contracts - totaling $31 million - coming off the books with the deals for Pedro Martinez, Oliver Perez, Moises Alou and Orlando Hernandez having expired. Because Johan Santana, David Wright and Jose Reyes are due raises totaling more than $5 million, the Mets have roughly $26 million to spend this winter to keep the payroll in line with this past season's $143 million. Allotting nearly all of that winter budget to Ramirez would leave the Mets with not much financial leverage to address two starting rotation spots and the bullpen, including Billy Wagner's successor as closer.

At least it's clear what criteria is important to Ramirez regarding his next employer, unlike fellow Dodgers free-agent-to-be Derek Lowe, whom baseball executives believe likes Detroit. (He was born in Dearborn, Mich.)

Asked what he was worth now, Ramirez said with a laugh: "I don't know. I guess you've got to talk to my agent about that."

Ramirez said the Dodgers fans' reaction to him that last game, when they implored him to stay, reminded him of Cleveland fans in 2000. That winter Ramirez signed with Boston as a free agent.

"I'm going to be home enjoying myself," Ramirez said. "The sky's the limit. Let's see what's going to happen."

**P-funk** · 10-18-2008, 09:11 AM

fuck manny

**IainDaniel** · 10-18-2008, 09:19 AM

if he paid me enough sure

soxmuscle · 10-18-2008, 12:27 PM

He wants a deal through his age 42 season.

lnvanry · 10-18-2008, 08:20 PM

bring him to Chicago...we'll take him at Wrigley

oaktownboy · 10-21-2008, 11:44 AM

I hope he stays in L.A. He's a good fit there. Plus, it gives me a reason to root for the Dodgers. God knows they suck without him.

10-17-2008, 06:32 PM	#1
min0 lee Senior Member Elite Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: The Bronx, NYC Posts: 38,792 Photos: 542	Highest bid nets Manny Ramirez Highest bid nets Manny Ramirez BY ADAM RUBIN DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITER Friday, October 17th 2008, 9:19 AM LOS ANGELES - Manny Ramirez expressed appreciation for the Dodger Stadium fans in the left field stands who chanted, "Stay, Manny, stay," during Wednesday's ninth inning. But an hour later, after Philadelphia had eliminated Los Angeles in Game 5 of the NLCS to advance to its first World Series since 1993, Ramirez made it clear what his priority would be in free agency: maximizing his income. After all, he kidded, gas prices are at an all-time high. The 36-year-old Ramirez, who arrived in Los Angeles at the July31 trade deadline in a three-team deal that landed Jason Bay in Boston, hit .396 with 17 homers and 53 RBI in 53 games as a Dodger the remainder of the regular season. He then hit .520 with four homers, 10 RBI and 11 walks in eight postseason games, which included a three-game sweep of the favored Cubs in the division series. "I think I showed everybody here that I'm a five-tool player - can run, can hit, play the outfield, steal bases," Ramirez said. Ramirez expressed no burning desire to return to the Dodgers or to play anywhere else in particular. (Well, he did joke that Kansas City was out of the question.) His winter home is in Miami, and he indicated he has no geographical preference, since his children would be in school in the city where he relocates. Agent Scott Boras had $20 million options for 2009 and '10 dropped from Ramirez's deal when he was traded to the Dodgers, so clearly the goal is exceeding that average annual contract value over a longer period. While Mets GM Omar Minaya has long admired Ramirez, it would appear the organization would be better served spending its dollars elsewhere this winter - and not just because Ramirez should be 40 by the time his next contract expires, raising the potential of injury that has haunted the Mets at the back end of recent deals. The Mets have four major contracts - totaling $31 million - coming off the books with the deals for Pedro Martinez, Oliver Perez, Moises Alou and Orlando Hernandez having expired. Because Johan Santana, David Wright and Jose Reyes are due raises totaling more than $5 million, the Mets have roughly $26 million to spend this winter to keep the payroll in line with this past season's $143 million. Allotting nearly all of that winter budget to Ramirez would leave the Mets with not much financial leverage to address two starting rotation spots and the bullpen, including Billy Wagner's successor as closer. At least it's clear what criteria is important to Ramirez regarding his next employer, unlike fellow Dodgers free-agent-to-be Derek Lowe, whom baseball executives believe likes Detroit. (He was born in Dearborn, Mich.) Asked what he was worth now, Ramirez said with a laugh: "I don't know. I guess you've got to talk to my agent about that." Ramirez said the Dodgers fans' reaction to him that last game, when they implored him to stay, reminded him of Cleveland fans in 2000. That winter Ramirez signed with Boston as a free agent. "I'm going to be home enjoying myself," Ramirez said. "The sky's the limit. Let's see what's going to happen." How To Do The Perfect Bench Press Rep Bodybuilding and Lifting Weights, the Difference ironmagazine-frapper

10-18-2008, 09:11 AM	#2
P-funk Patrick Super Moderator Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: AZ Posts: 31,701	fuck manny E-Book: Take Charge! Everything You Need To Know To Write Your Own Training Programs Online Consulting/Program Design Reality Based Fitness Podcast Check me out on Twitter! Subscribe to our free monthly newsletter! "In the beginners mind there are many possibilities, in the experts there are few." -Buddha's Little Instruction Book

10-18-2008, 09:19 AM	#3
IainDaniel My Role Model Moderator Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 17,550	if he paid me enough sure Obstacles don't have to stop you. If you run into a wall, don't turn around and give up. Figure out how to climb it, go through it, or work around it. Michael Jordan

10-18-2008, 12:27 PM	#4
soxmuscle do work son Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: I will eat your face Posts: 10,045 Photos: 10	He wants a deal through his age 42 season. Age: 20 \| Height: 5'7" \| Weight: 150 lbs \| Penis: 12 inches

10-21-2008, 11:44 AM	#6
oaktownboy Registered User Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: smog and fog Posts: 4,428	I hope he stays in L.A. He's a good fit there. Plus, it gives me a reason to root for the Dodgers. God knows they suck without him. Chuck Norris once lost his keys and couldn't remember where he put them. So he tortured himself for half an hour until he gave up their location.

10-18-2008, 08:20 PM	#5
lnvanry primeau Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Tucson Posts: 3,438 Photos: 16	bring him to Chicago...we'll take him at Wrigley

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