Colletti on the possibility of life without Manny
Checked in with Ned Colletti today. Absolutely nothing is going on with the Dodgers, so you won't see anything in tomorrow's paper, but even in down times, I like to check in at least once a week or so, as do the other beat writers. One thing I asked him was whether he has to proceed now on the assumption that Manny Ramirez isn't coming back so he isn't unnecessarily hampered in his pursuit of other free agents or possible trades. Here is what he said:
``No. I think we have to do business as it comes our way. I think we have to sign players we want to sign as we agree to do deals with them. We have enough areas of need that we can't wait by the side and wait for one person to make up their mind, really. We have to continue. We would love to have Manny back, but that is going to be a decision that will probably take some time. In the meantime, we will still try to add some other pieces to it.''
It doesn't appear likely that one of those pieces will be another outfielder. Ned said he is comfortable with the outfield quartet of Ethier, Jones, Kemp and Pierre if Manny ends up signing elsewhere.
Ugh...I am gearing up for this while remembering the best month of Dodgers baseball in all of my memory...the LAST month. Manny jerseys and wigs and cheers...crowds CELEBRATING at Dodger Stadium again!!
Ugh...as if the long dark cold nights without baseball weren't bad enough...
I'm hoping this is just posturing during the negotiation process (i.e., don't let 'em see you sweat).
Given that Manny will be 37 in May, has an injury history (missed 61 games 2006-2007), and *my* knees ache in sympathy when I watch him run (especially in the OF), anything longer than three years is a MAJOR risk for the Dodgers, given that he has to play LF for them in order to be useful. A four-year or more deal only makes sense to an AL team than can - sooner or later - DH him and hope that he can still hit at age 40.
Boras may compare to Bonds, but Bonds was productive in his "old age" thanks to PEDs, which Manny isn't using because of testing, right? ;) BTW, Barry only played 14 games in his age 40 season due to injury; Manny's age 40 is year 4 in a proposed contract that starts now.
Sign C.C. Sabathia - L.A. needs pitching!
I'd take 3 productive years of Manny for the price of 4...
(Of course its not my money...)
Dear Mr. Colletti,
Give him the fourth year. Even hive he gives us three, it will be worth it. PERIOD! He will keep the Dodgers in the mainstream and scare the hell out of every pitcher that goes against your lineup. Effecting not only Manny's AB's, but every other Dodger as well. There are only a couple other players in the league who has that kind of effect on the game. You gave Pierre 44 mil., A. Jones 36 mil., what's a fourth year to a guy like Manny.
Regards,
Lifetime Dodger fan.
PS - Boras can eat one, for that "serious offer" quote. Just put another notch on his prick post.