Where will Manny end up?

January 3, 3:01 PMMLB ExaminerAlex Brown

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The market for free agent slugger Manny Ramirez is puzzling – he’s as certain of a Hall of Famer as anybody currently playing, and any signs of him slipping in ability were erased after his mid-season trade to Los Angeles and subsequent postseason performance.  So, who are the major players, and why should they (or shouldn’t they) sign Ramirez?

• Los Angeles Dodgers: The Dodgers are an obvious contender for Ramirez, having most recently employed the enigmatic outfielder.  He hit well there and seemed to play hard and get along with his teammates.  The Dodgers may have made the only real offer for Ramirez, but it was quickly rejected and pulled off the table by Dodger ownership.  The team is currently working to unload outfielder Andruw Jones and his ridiculous contract, which may free up the cash necessary to bring Manny back to LA.

• San Francisco Giants: A late contender in the ManRam sweepstakes, the Giants may have made an offer already.  They have a need in the outfield (as well as many other spots), so the move would make sense from a production standpoint.  However, some around baseball believe this is Scott Boras (Ramirez’s agent) doing what he does best – leveraging.  Though, as we’ve seen with Magglio Ordonez and Ivan Rodriguez in Detroit, Boras isn’t afraid to sell his client to a weaker team when the top teams won’t step up.

• Washington Nationals: After missing out on Mark Teixeira, the Nats have some money to spend.  GM Jim Bowden needs a slugger for his club, and has long desired to bring Adam Dunn to Washington.  Ramirez is certainly a bigger draw than Dunn, and Bowden needs a big name to bring excitement back to Washington, which hasn’t played good ball since moving from Montreal in 2005. 

• Los Angeles Angels: After also missing out on Teixeira, the Angels had both available cash and a need for a middle of the order bat.  Ramirez would gladly take one and provide the other, and he would be able to stay on the West Coast which he seemingly enjoys.  Angels GM Tony Reagins has said that the Angels are out, and I think their recent commitment to closer Brian Fuentes kills any idea of Ramirez in Anaheim.

• New York Yankees: The Yankees have spent a ton already on the aforementioned Teixeira and free agent pitchers A.J. Burnett and C.C. Sabathia.  I would put this at a major longshot, but if the Ramirez drama drags out closer to spring training, I could see the Yanks swooping in and becoming a late contender.  This is probably contingent upon moving one (or even two) of Johnny Damon, Melky Cabrera, Hideki Matsui, or Nick Swisher.

• Texas Rangers: Owner Tom Hicks has demonstrated a willingness to spend money on Boras clients before (see Rodriguez, Alex), and Ramirez would look good in the Texas outfield.  Everyone knows that the Rangers primary need is pitching, and they would probably be better off dealing for an ace or signing someone like Ben Sheets.  However, if the Rangers front office decides to put all their chips on offense, Ramirez could wind up in Texas.

• New York Mets: The Mets don’t appear interested in Ramirez, though this appears to be an ownership decision.  If GM Omar Minaya is able to convince the Wilpons that he needs Manny, this could still get done.

That’s a breakdown of the teams who appear to be a part of the Manny Ramirez sweepstakes (some are longshots, I know).  Now, onto what everyone’s really wondering – where do I think he will end up?  I’m going to choose the safe choice and pick the Dodgers.  It looks like Andruw Jones is all but gone, and Juan Pierre could be next.  Moving just one of those huge contracts would free up more than enough cash to allow Manny to return to Hollywood.  I don’t think it will happen soon though – Boras is known to draw out negotiations and he may even decide to engage some teams not mentioned in this list.