The LA times decided to give us an update on the ongoing saga with Manny Ramirez. Bill Shaikin’s update?
There is no update.
Although there is plenty of interest in the situation, there is nothing new to report. Shaikin does a good job of summarizing the situation regardless.
Meanwhile, in the midwest, MLB.com Indians beat writer Anthony Castrovince decided to dash the hopes of many Indians fans by pointing out that a Manny return lives only in dreams.
The financial resources just aren’t there in Cleveland to sign ManRam, he reports.
“Signing Manny,” Shapiro said. “would have cost more than everything else we’ve done this year.”
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
It is shame too. Not just for the Tribe but also Manny. He really would benefit from being back in a low profile market where the fans would love him and he could just play ball. Lord knows he has enough money to go with a lower offer to make it happen. But I am sure his agent, and his ego, as usual are giving him bad advice. Would be nice if Manny came he to finish what he started – bringing cleveland a world series title.
I suspect that money is not the only reason the Indians won’t be signing Manny. The guy’s a slacker, working hard when he feels like it. That may not be the clubhouse vibe that the team wants to create.
“Wayne Garland” (you’re kidding right?) is correct about Manny needing a place like Cleveland to give him the tender kid care he needs. But he’s also right: No agent would let it happen, and he is a goofball. Could we just get Omar Visquez back and just let him sit around? He could teach more young players about how to act/play than anyone. from those fabulous 90s there’s no one I miss more than Omar, not becauch Jhonny isn’t quite as good, but because Omar was so perfect.
say what you want…he’s the best hitter in baseball
How would Manny Ramirez impact a clubhouse full of players lots younger than he? It’s fair to assume many of the Tribe kids would go ga-ga over this legend, and as many young people are wont to do, copy him, at least to some extent. If it’s his success in the batter’s box they’re copying, well and good. If it’s his antics, uh-oh …
The long and short, other-worldly as his talent is, should we want Manny influencing young players? He can carry a team, but he has never carried one alone to the title. Nobody does. That said, he can be disruptive enough to carry a team away from one.
It’s not by sheer chance or bad economics that he continues unemployed.
I believe he remains unemployed solely due to economics, and of course Scott Boras. He’s the big fish this off season after CC, and Boras is going to milk it for all it’s worth.
I can see the concern about bringing him back, influencing young players, but what’s lost on people is how hard he works at hitting. That more than anything nutty he does is going to influence young players. Please folks, get over this illusion that the guy never works hard. You’re showing your ignorance with that mess. Here’s a news flash…..MOST hitters who can really mash don’t work too awfully hard on the other aspects of the game once they’re established because, and this should be obvious, defense, base running and the subtleties of the game aren’t what get you paid. And much like the rest of our society, baseball players are most intent on getting paid.
As far as bad influences go….
These kids aren’t kids. They’re young men in their 20’s who have been playing pro ball and high level amateur ball for years. They aren’t going to be led astray as easily as one might think. A more dangerous influence is the less nutty, more subtle one that the Indians have brought in to shore up the pitching staff.