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Thursday, October 20, 2005Manny being Manny againPeter Gammons reports that Manny Ramirez wants to be traded. I know, big shock. He definitely does not want to go to the Mets, but is apparently interested in Anaheim and Cleveland, and maybe Arizona or Texas, as well. The Red Sox apparently would want a young corner outfielder, a center fielder and some pitching (pretty steep price, if you ask me). Well, the Angels do have the pieces with Juan Rivera (young corner outfielder), Steve Finley (center fielder), and any one of a number of pitching prospects (Steve Shell, Joe Saunders, Chris Bootcheck). That is my offer to them, and I won't even require them to pay any (well, not much, anyways) of Manny's salary (3 years, $17 million/year). I suspect they would want more than that (Figgins instead of Rivera, no Finley, two or more pitchers with one being Shields), but that is my offer: Rivera, Finley, a pitching prospect. Comments:Manny's contract is actually $19m per over 3. The Red Sox would have to eat some of that, or else it would leave the Angels with about $10 million to spend on 14 roster spots (and with a slew of big arbitration cases). No way Manny goes to Anaheim. 1) Stoneman doesn't like me-first guys. Jose Guillen was a failed experiment, and I have to believe that fresh off that experience, Bill's not up for a second helping. 2) The amount of money they'd have to pick up far exceeds the amount Arte's willing to lose. The Red Sox are going to have to eat some portion of his contract if they want to move him. I wasn't claiming the Angels would do this (personally, I think it is wishful thinking on the part of Manny), I was just saying what I would find acceptable. And I don't think the Red Sox would ever go for my offer. And I see it as a good way to get rid of Steve Finley. As a Red Sox fan, not only would I not make that trade (let's start with Kotchman and work from there...), but I don't see the Angels dealing for Manny at any cost. 1) Manny can't play defense for a lick. Neither can the resident left-fielder in Anaheim, but Manny makes Garret look like Torii Hunter. 2) Manny is a malcontent. I can't picture a Sciocia-run team with someone who wants to take games off during a pennant chase. It's not so much "bad chemistry" as it is "oft-lazy drama queen". 3) You already have Garret's untradeable contract when it comes to his soon-to-be (if not already) decline years. Manny is one injury or a few Domincan buffets from starting to decline. Oh yeah, and Steve Finley? Theo may be young, but he's not stupid. If we wanted an over-paid centerfielder with declining defense, we'd just resign Damon. Hey, all Gammons said was that the Red Sox wanted a young corner OF, a CF, and pitching. I was just throwing an offer out there that meets those requirements. Manny Ramirez? Pass. He's obviously a hell of a hitter, but he's an atrocious defender, a space cadet on the bases, and sure seems to be (as pointed out above) a malcontent. The price would be way too high, in dollars and players. -Chronicles First of all, you have to look into any deal involving Ramirez. A lot of people don't understand that Ramirez would make GA better. I'd like to keep him. Offering Rivera, Finley and a prospect is like a slap in the face. I'd give them Rivera, DMac, Saunders, and someone like Callaspo. If they start talking about Shields, Escobar, Lackey or Santana, we have a problem. I'd even give them Morales instead of DMac if they want a 1B. I'd really like to see what Kotchman can do. ManRam will get $19 mill in 2006, $18 mill in 2007, $20 mill in 2008, & $20 mill team option for 2009, 2010. Rivera, Kotchman, Saunders, AK (or Callaspo) & Boston takes 5 million of his contract through 2008. If Boston was forced to move Ramirez, they would like to have the salary flexibility to go after Burnett and Millwood. For god sake why would we not get Ramirez? Although he would add significantly to the payroll, he would make LAA one of the premier teams in the league, and face it, wo/ a bat this team might not make the playoffs next year. Frankly I think if ManRam wants to come to LA, it really is a no brainer, Get him. Think of this lineup 1-6: Figgins OC Vlad ManRam - DH GA DMac Speaking as an Indians fan, I can attest that Manny's greatness more than compensates for his goofyness. The bottom line on picking up any these guys with outlandish contracts is the more salary Boston pays the more they will want in return. If you take on all of Manny's contract they can't ask for much in return. Manny would be awesome on the the field, but a huge distraction otherwise. As much as we need his bat, I can't see him fitting in with the Angels. It's the exact same reason we'll never see Bonds in an Angels uniform. |
