Manny wants to play for Yankees, but do they really want him?
There is one more huge, impact name on the free agent scorecard. A player coming off a huge second half, leading his team to the playoffs. And yet, the suitors for Manny Ramirez aren't lining up. That pouting episode in Boston, when he acted like he was 10, not 36, might have cost a lot.
The Dodgers would like him back, but withdrew an early two-year, $45 million offer. That's not chump change, but not the deal for more than three years that Ramirez reportedly seeks.
So now the chatter is coming from Manny himself. He wants to be a teammate of Mark Teixeira, CC Sabathia and A.J. Burnett. And Alex Rodriguez and Derek Jeter.
And signing with the Yankees makes a lot of sense for Manny, who grew up in New York. Putting Ramirez in the Yankees outfield makes the Yankees' lineup look like 1927 all over again. Where would he hit in the lineup, sixth? He hasn't hit that low in the order since he was a 21-year-old in Cleveland.
But it doesn't make as much sense for Yankees GM Brian Cashman. The chatter about Ramirez hasn't been coming with the Yankees, who already have plenty of outfielders. Hideki Matsui, Johnny Damon, Xavier Nady, Nick Swisher and Melky Cabrera would all start for just about any big-league team, and Brett Gardner is considered a top prospect. They really don't need Manny. The Mets and Dodgers are probably still in the mix. But he might accept some lowball offer from New York at this point.
As Buster Olney wrote for ESPN.com, Manny only has himself to blame for that.
Comments
The last sentence of the article read: “But he (Manny) might accept some lowball offer from New York at this point.” I take it you mean the Yankees because that’s the team he says he wants to play for.
Right now, the Yankees are talking about shopping a few of their outfielders such as Nady, Swisher and Cabrera. It sounds like they are trying to make room for Manny. They are also saying they think they’ll go with Hughes rather than Andy Petschit, thus saving $10 million. So to me, all signs point to them signing Manny.
Here is why I want Manny. Every year when we usually get into the playoffs, we suddenly can’t hit. ARod guesses all the time but in the playoffs, he always guesses wrong. We need a guy who can hit even the best pitcher in baseball come playoff time and that spells Manny Ramirez.
If you batted Tex 3rd, ARod 4th and Manny 5th, that would be a killer lineup. So we won’t have to suffer like we did against Detroit a few years back where the team looked like the hitless wonders.
Hank Steinbrenner wants Manny and has convinced Hal that they need him. Now, all that is left is for Cashman to clear some space and then dial up Scott Boras. Give Manny a decent deal and we won’t want him to retire. I hope Hank will ask him to wear #6 too, just for good measure.
Manny is the type of player needed in the Yankees’ lineup. Manny is a fearless hitter, and no pitcher in his right state of mind likes facing him. Manny has expressed his desire to play with the Yankees, and they should take the opportunity and bring him in now.
Forget about his demeanor while in Boston, they made him that way; as a Yankee he’ll fit right in, he just need the right crowd around
him. He is not crazy..
Line up including Manny: Jeter, Cano, Manny, Alex, Tex, Matsui, Posada, Nady, xyz…
Wish the Yankees and Manny reach a deal very soon.
What ‘chatter’ is coming from Manny himself (he’s in Spain now – is he long distancing you?)
Come up with one direct quote from Ramirez this year saying he wants to be a Yankee.
If you can’t, stop assuming and/or lying.
The Yankees still need that threat in their lineup…And Manny is the perfect threat to fit into that lineup…I mean come on guys can you picture this insane lineup of A Rod batting 3rd, Manny batting clean up to protect him and Tex following Manny…Thats not even fair to be honest with you…But me as a Yankee fan I think its GREAT!!..And we need Manny’s fearless bat…Why wouldnt you want a .300 plus hitter, 30 plus homeruns, and over 100 rbi’s in your lineup…and most importantly…THIS GUY IS CLUTCH!!!..I think A Rod will go probably go down as the greatest of all time…but lets be real here…He Is Not MANNY!!..Manny was born for these situations..So Lets cut the bull crap and Bring Manny back home to N.Y. so we can finally remember what its like to celebrate a championship here in NY…So Cashman..MAKE IT HAPPEN!!!
Do the Yankees have a farm system??? All they do is buy players.. Whats worst are the Yankee fans, they are ok with just buying teams. Yankees fans have no loyalty to there players because they dont develope any. This is coming from a Dodger fan that enjoys watching young talent develope and produce. As far as im concerned if Manny wants to play for NY, GO MANNY!!!! GO!!!! Before all you Yankee fans start talking trash about our last World Series win just remember we havent sold our souls to the Devil. Please Manny go to the Yankees you lazy BUM!!!!
It does my heart good to see Manny’s long term deal going up in smoke. Although it’s not over yet. Personally I think any team would be better off with him on the roster as long as he’s giving it his all. Therefore any team who signs Manny to anything longer than 1 or 2 years at a time is a fool. Keep the money high and the contract term short. As long as next year is in question he will give it his all. Lock him up for long term and he will most likely go back to Manny being Manny.
we need manny cashman you now that bring manny home pleases the yankees say bring he know pleases