Manny Ramirez told reporters in a Manny being Manny moment that he was looking for a 6 year deal in the free agent market. Manny had two option years remaining on his original 8 year deal he signed with the Boston Red Sox in 2000, but when he was traded July 31 to the Los Angeles Dodgers, part of the trade was that the Dodgers forgo the two option years - making Manny a free agent after the season.

Now that Manny is free, he wants to make more money and will “sign with whatever teams gives me the most money.” That was Manny’s quote.

Despite his immense talent, that quote alone would never push me to sign Ramirez. Character counts and if a guy is just playing for the money, I don’t want him on my team. Six years for a 36 year old hitter? That is never going to happen. History proves that hitters often begin a decline in their mid-30’s and a 6 year deal will take Manny to age 42 at the end of the contract, similar to what Bonds re-upped for in San Francisco. While Bonds was an immense talent also (in more ways than one), we saw what a distraction he was at the end, and was barely able to play the field. 

It is no guarantee that Manny will get six years, or even five. Four might even be a stretch for most (if not all teams) If Manny wasn’t traded by Boston this season, I think his option wouldn’t have been picked up by the Red Sox, making him a free agent anyway. Win or lose the World Series with Manny, the Red Sox would have gladly taken the two draft picks next season and let malcontent Manny go on his merry way.  At that point Ramirez would not have been guaranteed even $20 million a year from a potential suitor, let alone a contract running five or six years.

Who is going to pay Ramirez (and new agent Scott Boras) a long term deal in excess of $20 million? Reports have Manny also seeking “Arod money” and considering Boras is agent for both future HOF hitters, they might not budge on that demand. But, where are the teams lining up to sign Manny for a very large multi-year contract?

The usual cast of character teams such as the New York Mets, New York Yankees and his current team, the Los Angeles Dodgers, would be in the mix, but there are not many other teams willing (or capable) to shell out the huge contract Manny requires. The Dodgers appear to be the front runner as they probably need to sign Manny to keep the momentum going from their playoff run the last two months of the season. The Dodgers need Manny to also keep the attendance figures higher and concession sales flowing. As stated elsewhere, Manny might pay for himself just in residual income for the Dodgers. But, once again - Manny is only looking after Manny. He wants money, he needs to feed his ego and also needs to feed Scott Boras’ pocket.

Other teams that have the wherewithal to pony up the money include the Boston Red Sox and Los Angeles Angels. Most other teams are the so called “small market” teams who definitely will not sign Ramirez. Several of these small market teams, though, such as the Twins, Blue Jays and Marlins could really use Manny’s potent bat in the middle of their young lineups. Just imagine Manny in the middle of Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau…With Manny in the middle, that young Twins lineup would get the same jolt Manny gave the young Dodgers lineup.

Many Met fans would love to have Manny in left field and GM Omar Minaya has always had a fondness for Ramirez’ bat. Plus, Ramirez is Latino - always a plus in Flushing. But, the Mets problems the past two seasons have not been lack of sticks, but lack of good bullpen arms. Ramirez will not be a Met in 2009, and the Mets will not give in to Manny’s long term demands as their money could be better spent elsewhere.

A similar situation exists in the Bronx, too. Hank Steinbrenner would love to bluster his way onto the back pages by signing Ramirez, but GM Brian Cashman and Hal Steinbrenner will nix any sort of Manny deal. The Yankees have the money available but they also have too many big money DH’s/LF already on the roster. Also, can you imagine Manny playing in Yankee Stadium’s sun drenched left field? He would make Hideki Matsui appear to be Carl Yastrzemski. (Yaz had 7 gold gloves)

Many rumors have the Blue Jays being in the running as they need a potent bat for their mediocre lineup. In fact, I wrote a piece last season indicating the Blue Jays needed a bat (preferably LH) and suggested Barry Bonds would be a good fit, as the Blue Jays lineup is right handed heavy with Vernon Wells, Alex Rios and Scott Rolen. Manny indicated he has no preference on where he plays, since his children would be in school in the city where he relocates, but can’t see Manny’s kids going to school north of the border in a so-so media market. 

Manny craves media. Like a small child, his inner self needs attention. He needs bigger than Toronto, even if the Blue Jays offer him the most money. Manny wants to be known as the best right handed hitter of all time and has a strong chance to break the RBI record (he is only 572 behind Hank Aaron’s 2297).

The best fit for Manny would be in a major media market on the East Coast where he can get attention the entire season. While the LA area is a big market, it does not get much East Coast attention due to late night games which do not hit the daily box scores.

Manny would be a perfect fit for Philadelphia, but not at the 4 or more years he is seeking. With the inconsistent and very streaky Pat Burrell also becoming a free agent, Manny would slip nicely into left field and split the lefty-lefty of Chase Utley and Ryan Howard. That way a single LH reliever can’t go back to back outs on Philly late in a game.  And with the band box of Citizen’s Bank Park in Manny’s sights for 81 games a season, Manny’s career number would get very close to all time records. Manny also played for current Phillies manager Charlie Manuel in 2000, his last season in Cleveland. The fact that Manuel is known as a fun loving, players manager (and a good hitting coach) will be more important with Ramirez than people realize, especially when longer term deals are not available. Ramirez had his best average (.351) and OPS season (186) in 2000 under Manuel.  

Signing Manny to a shorter deal, but for more per season would benefit all involved. I see a 2 year deal with two club options for $27.5 per year (Arod money) or a 3 year deal, with club option for $25 million per. With Burrell’s $14 million off the books, the “real cost” would only be $11 to $13 million per year and that could be made up with extra ticket and jersey sales - just ask the Dodgers accounting department.

With the lack of teams willing to give a long term contract to someone with Manny’s reputation, there still would be a market for a shorter term deal, but for more per season. As teams begin to drop out from the initial demands of Boras, the Phillies could slip in with their deal. Look how many of Boras’ recent clients fared in free agency: Andruw Jones, Kyle Lohse, Jeff Weaver and Arod. There was a distinct lack of interest in the free agent market for all free agents, but especially Boras’s clients because of the outrageous demands. While Arod did get his money, he realized quickly that the market wasn’t how Boras portrayed, while the other three had to take much less to sign.

A similar situation will occur with Manny Ramirez.

Win or lose this World Series, a Manny sighting in Philadelphia would give the Philly faithful a great chance to get back to the Series or a real good chance to repeat - and haunt Met fans for a few years