Angels' Gm Tony Reagins has stated the following in regards to signing Manny Ramirez:
"That's probably not a likely scenario." - December 9, 2008
"Manny Ramirez will not play for the Angels in 2009, or beyond, for that matter." - December 23, 2009
"Manny will not be an Angel." - December 24, 2008
"We're going to give our kids an opportunity to play." - December 24, 2008
"It will not happen. We are not going to sign Manny Ramirez. End of story." - December 24, 2008
"We're perfectly comfortable with going to spring training with the club that we have." - January 14, 2009
"...there's not room for a Manny Ramirez." - January 14, 2009
"I follow it every day, I think the closer you get to spring training, players that are unsigned are going to get some offers. But, in our case, we're not really looking at adding anyone at this point." - January 28, 2009
"We're better served going the direction we took (not to sign Ramirez)" - February 4, 2009
So why won't the stories of Manny playing for the Angels in 2009 not die? Because regardless of what Tony Reagins says, Ramirez in an Angels uniform makes too much sense. One of Reagins' quotes is about giving the kids a chance to play. Kids? What kids? If the Angels sign Ramirez, the only kid it'd effect is 28 year-old Reggie Willits, as he'd most likely start the season in 3A or on another team. Kendry Morales' playing time won't be reduced, he's the everyday first baseman regardless if Manny is signed or not. Is Reagins referring to Brandon Wood? Only if the Angels are planning to play Chone Figgins in the outfield to open up a spot at third. If the Angels were to sign Ramirez, the player most likely to be effected is Gary Mathews, Jr. who turns 35 during the 2009 season. Hardly a kid. And hardly the same impact player.
We all know the Ramirez has had two offers from the Los Angeles Dodgers. The first was a 2-year / $45M deal made before Christmas that went unanswered from either Ramirez's agent, Scott Boras, or Ramirez himself before being pulled off the table by Dodgers' owner Frank McCourt. The second offer submitted earlier this month was a one-year deal for $25M. This offer was rejected within hours after being received by Ramirez with the warning from Boras, "it's dangerous to play chicken". There's been talk the Dodgers would be better served using the money it'd take to sign Ramirez and using it to sign Orlando Hudson ($8M), Adam Dunn ($8M) and Randy Wolf ($9M). Those dollar figures are my estimates based on various sources familiar with the dropping values. The Angels aren't in the same situation as the Dodgers. Although they conceivably have the same money available, they don't need three players. And according to Reagins, they don't need any, but he counting on Reggie Willits (and I'm not). The Dodgers would probably be better served signing 3 lower impact players for the same money it'd take to get Manny, and the Angels could fit Ramirez into the corner outfield / DH rotation.
As the prices of this year's remaining free agents drop, and as other teams start scooping up the bargains, Manny being Manny in Anaheim will become more logical...if the price is right. I don't know if it's a good thing or bad, but can you imagine the number of dreadlocked rally monkeys bouncing around Angels Stadium? Or the sea of red do-rags? If the 2009 season plays out as the "experts" predict, the Angels will be playing the wildcard Red Sox in the first round. Is there another player an Angels' fan would want to see at the plate, in an Angels uniform at Fenway, than Manny Ramirez?
WOW, its like you were reading my mind as you typed this article! DITTO! There is only one reason that the Angels are not making a play for Manny and its one they just can't say over the airwaves. But to put on this charade is insulting to all Angel fans everywhere. Why don’t they just offer two yrs at $20 million with an option year. Boras will turn it down and the Angels could at least say they tried and not be tied into any collusion charges, or anything else the Player’s union will dream up.
There's only one reasson why Arte and the Angels don't go after Manny. It's not the money. It's not a lack of a spot for him. It's not his performance in the clutch or in the playoffs.
It's spite...they're not happy with how Boras handled the Tex negotiations and they're going to not deal with him...at least on the Manny front.
I read a post that argued it was Manny who blew it by signing up with the same agent as Tex. If he had signed with another agent, he could have gotten a decent deal either right before or right after Tex signed.
I still think he ends up with the Dodgers. They have the money and they NEED him bad.
But wouldn't it be sweet to steal him from the other LA team...
You're right about making an offer, but I think it's too late now because of everything Reagins has said. Something like the Dodgers 2-year / $45M offer and tell them "Here's the offer, you've got 48 hours to respond. After that were done negotiating"
I have read recently that Moreno is pissed at Boras and the way he handled the Teix negotiations, but I think Arte is too much of a professional to let it bother him long.
I think you're right about Manny and the Dodgers, there's no other team willing to sign him for what he wants.
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