The moment we all been waiting for is nearly at hand. A source with knowledge of the negotiations has reported that Marky T is close to making a decision. He wants a team picked out by Christmas, which by most calendars is next week. Among the teams that are known to have offers on the table are the Orioles, Angels, Red Sox, and Nationals. It is still unknown whether the Nationals actually have the money to back the offer. The Yankees are said to be interested but have not put forward an offer. It is being speculated that the Yankees are only really interested in driving up the price for Boston.
It is also being reported that the Yankees are close to deciding whether to extend Ramirez a 3 year deal worth $22-$25 million annually. The front office is apparently divided in the matter, but the Steinbrenner brothers appear to be in favor of it. Cashman is not sold on the idea, but it probably doesn't matter much. We at the RJG have been preaching Manny for some time now. We are aware of the drawbacks. Namely, he's a me-first habitual malcontent who quit on his team last season, and who makes Barry Bonds look agile in the outfield. But, this wouldn't be the first time the Yankees signed a me-first player who dogged it on the field, and what was the outcome? Did the team fall apart? No, they won the World Series, and this player became one of the most popular in modern Yankee lore. In Manny we have something similar. A powerful bat that hits when it matters. This is someone who hit .500 in the division series last season, and .533 in the championship series. He's hit 28 post season homeruns and driven in 74 post season runs over his career. He may be worth it.
Now, to quell the fear that Manny will up and quit on his team again. He certainly did with the Red Sox last season. But here's the thing. How long has Manny been asking to leave Boston? How many deals have fallen apart that were meant to send Manny away from Boston? He hasn't wanted to be there for a while now, and yet he's performed for them until last season. Now that he has gotten his wish to leave the team, why would he quit on his new team? Because he's Manny? Maybe, but I don't see it happening.
There are some other things to consider as well. Like Mattingly saying that Ramirez was the best right-handed hitter he's seen and that his work ethic is superb. Think about how much pressure a Manny signing would take off of chronic headcase Alex Rodriguez. Not to mention how much better the team is with Manny protecting A-Rod in the lineup. Further more, adding Manny allows us to move Nady who will be a free agent after next season, and could net us something good.
It is said that Manny wants a 4 year $100 million deal, which is pretty steep, and the speculation is that if he doesn't get it he may feel resentful against the team that signs him. That might happen, but that's where the Yankees can get creative. Give Manny a 3 year deal with a 4th year vesting option with a nice buyout. If Manny averages 30 homeruns and 500 at bats a season in each season, than the vesting option kicks in. Otherwise, he walks away with an extra $7 million in his pocket as his buyout. $7 million!? Why not? Its money, and the new stadium should more than make up for it. If not, the Yankees could always sell a few more players to Japan ala Darrell Rasner to make up for it.
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Since it appears we're not going after Tex, I hope to God he goes to the Nationals or stays with the Angels. I don't want him anywhere near the Red Sox, except if they do sign him we get to call THEM the evil empire. As for Manny, can't agree with you. I don't want him in pinstripes. There has to be someone else who can hit.
I don't know, this market isn't exactly great. Adam Dunn? I don't want his 200 National League strikeouts near this team. Teixeira is really the only good bat out there and even he won't give us what Manny will. Manny can instill fear in opponents. Teixeira's a .290 hitter with 30 homerun power. Good, but not epic. There's rumors of Jermaine Dye, which wouldn't be bad, but he isn't the intimidating hitter Manny is. Malcontent or not, could you imagine Manny playing against the Red Sox next season? The ALCS?
Is Manny an egocentric jerk? Yes. Will he destroy the Red Sox when we play them? Yes. Will the Yankees be a WS lock with him on board? I think, Yes. As much as I hate to say it, and I really do, I say sign him. You won't see me cheering for him much, and I don't think Yankees fans will put up with "Manny being Manny", but he will win.
i'm not going to lie, i despised Manny Ramirez, but i really think he could help the team. I would prefer Teix only because of his young age, and would be more of a long term option.
But at this point, seeing all the offers that other teams have already put on the table, i can't see the Yankees topping that.
Manny on the other hand... has always said he would love to be a Yankee, and he would hopefully destroy the Red Sox every time.
The only reason I'm against the Teix signing is that it will be expensive, and will block first base for 7 or 8 years while Jesus Montero is developing like a beast monster in our minor league system, and appears better suited for first base than catching.
Dunn may strikeout a lot, but I'd be willing to wager he hits 50HR with that short porch in rightfield. not to mention
.400
.354
.388
.387
.365
.386
.386
Thats his OBP for throughout his career. His career OBP is .381, or slightly lower than one Mr. Derek Sanderson Jeter.
As to the strikeouts. A strikeout is really no different than a popfly, groundout, flyout, or any other out. Plus, with someome like that, would you really want him cutting down his swing to move a runner over when you know he could go yard at anytime? Also, go to baseball-reference and look at the alltime strikeout leader list. If you notice, most of them are in the HOF, or were just pretty darn good (look at who is #24).
Point is, Adam Dunn is not a bad fallback plan if you cant land Texiera. You can probably get him for 3/$36 million. The only thing I would do is move him to first base to limit the defensive damage he would do if you put him in the outfield.
So when you wrote this sort of pro Manny post, I think you went back through the posting histories and just did a cut and paste of all my ramblings for the past gazillion months :o) Well, except for the Reggie Jackson link. I can't stand him BTW! Now I'm just waiting patiently for that pro ARod post. Do it! I know you can!!! Just leave Madonna off of it (gross!)
Oh yeah, and you're welcome for CC!
Yeah, Tribegirl, when can we get Sizemore? We need a centerfielder.
Tribegirl and her sisters will bodyslam whomever try to put their fingers on Grady the Handsome Sizemore.
It's time to post something about A-Rod.
All these endless discussion about
Manny and Marky T will make our precious Alex feel neglected.
Raven King, you are correct. The ladies would go NUTS if anyone were to even mention Grady's name and leaving Cleveland in the same paragraph! But, hell, we need him. He's the best we've got! Besides, he just wants to play ball. He doesn't like attention and endorsements and the like, so I don't think he would be a good fit for NY. He's a pretty simple kid.
And yes, it is time for my ARod post and I see it is up so I am pleased as punch, although I think this is acually license to trash ARod even more and point to this post when I start fussing!
Manny, Jeter, and ARod all on the same team. My little baseball dream since 1995 finally coming true!
It will be quite a sight if all of them got stuck in a slump at the same time.
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