Ramirez Was Right To Say 'No' To Dodgers

It is February 4th, and Manny Ramirez still doesn't have a team to play baseball for. Who would have thought that would happen. Then again, who would have thought we'd be less than two weeks away from pitchers and catchers, and there are still quality players (Adam Dunn, Orlando Hudson, Bobby Abreu, Joe Crede, Ben Sheets, and Randy Wolf) on the open market? That just shows you the effect the recession has had on the economy in big league baseball.

But then again, it's not like teams haven't tried to sign Man Ram. OK, make that team (the Giants were probably not serious about their pursuit). The Dodgers offered him a two-year deal early on in the free agent process, and he rejected it.

Then, after months went by without another serious offer coming in, the Dodgers tried again. A one-year deal worth $25M. A deal that would have made Man Ram the highest paid outfielder in baseball history. A deal that Ramirez and agent Scott Boras rejected.

Most of you probably think that Ramirez is a little nuts for turning down that kind of cash. Most of you probably think Ramirez is just pulling yet another of his stunts. Most of you would be wrong.

This isn't, and has never been, about money for Ramirez. The guy's got more money than he needs after signing a $160M deal with the Red Sox after the 2000 season. Man Ram is a guy that once left his paycheck in his car without caring if someone broke in to steal it (true story). He also isn't a guy that ever complained he was underpaid. All he ever wanted to do was play ball and 'be Manny.'

What this is about (if it's not money) is simply length of contract. The Dodgers offered Ramirez a one year deal. Ramirez is looking for a multi year deal (four years in case you are wondering). Privately, Man Ram knows he won't get that kind of deal (simply because of his age and fears that he may break down before he earns all the cash that would come with a long term deal). One would have to think Ramirez would settle for a deal in the three year range (or a two-year deal with an option for a third year).

The problem is, he hasn't gotten that kind of offer. And I can't figure out why.

Is Man Ram a flake? Absolutely. But he can flat out hit the ball. A career .314 hitter with 527 HR's. He is a first ballot Hall of Famer. Most teams would kill to have that kind of production, and would forgive any flakiness that comes along with it.

Sure, Manny has a fragile ego, and needs to be told he's loved more times than most people need it. But (and this goes for all walks of life, not just baseball), all the greats have their little idiosyncrasies.

Ultimately, the Dodgers should be ashamed of themselves here. Would the Dodgers have made the playoffs if they hadn't made the move for Man Ram? Probably not. All the guy did in 53 games was hit nearly .400 with 17 homers and 53 RBI. You would think the Dodgers would show more loyalty to a guy that carried them to the post-season. Isn't winning all that counts in this day and age?

Instead of rewarding Ramirez, the Dodgers are insulting him. If they really think that Dunn or even Bobby Abreu can give them what Ramirez did last season, then they must be on the same stuff Michael Phelps was caught toking up with. Abreu is a nice player, but he doesn't carry a team. He's a complimentary part. Dunn hits homers and drives in runs, but his defense is lacking, and his high number of strikeouts are a big reason while he is still looking for work.

Ramirez doesn't have those kind of weaknesses. His biggest weakness is that he's wacky. Big deal. Wacky got the Dodgers to the playoffs last year. Wacky ought to be shown a little bit of loyalty.

Because if the Dodgers won't, someone will before the games count for real.

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