Comments on: Being Manny Ramirez

By: Gerry

Gerry — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 01:39:13 +0000

Great fun. Even without a 50HR hitter, in hitting and HR, the Sox will win again, with HR & hitting depth.
This team could have seven .300 hitters (plus Casey and perhaps Lowrie), nine with 10+ home runs, six of them with 20+, two or three of them with 30+. Throw in 100+SB, and a culture of aggressive baserunning . . . “a hitting & run machine”. Tough on pitchers.
Speaking of pitchers, throw in an entire rotation of 15 – 20 game winners, the top pen, top “D”, chemistry, Tito, and the ability to make trades as needed. Great fun.
If, despite shortened ST, travel to Japan, and an exhibition with the Dodgers, it is possible for this team to start fast through this atrocious opening gauntlet, the Sox could wrap up the season by Toronto.

By: Mike

Mike — Sun, 24 Feb 2008 21:54:49 +0000

–Commensurate is the big word there, Gerry,…. I think that for $20M, you ought to be getting the original Manny. And having said that, I feel Ramirez IS the sort to maintain his conditioning. For the moment, I’m just excited about what I see as improved offensive production in 2008, that I’m willing to defer on the longer range concerns until that time arrives. really think the Red Sox will be a hitting & run machine this season,… Should be fun.

By: Gerry

Gerry — Sun, 24 Feb 2008 18:14:10 +0000

I like your thinking about Youk and Jacoby. Take it a step further.
In theory, in 2010, if 31 year old Youk is .300 with 30HR, and 26 year old Ellsbury is 320 with 15HR, and Drew, at 35 is .300 with 25HR . . . plus Papi at 34, Pedroia and Moss at 26, Lowrie at 25 . . . the Sox will be an offensive threat going into 2011 and 2012. If Manny, at 38, hit .300 with 25HR, they are stronger.
By that time, Anderson, Reddick, Kalish, Tejeda, Middlebooke, Diaz, Amanzar, Place, Dent, etc. will have been knocking on the door to their future, and some will start moving up.
So, back to Manny. Many, many, many athletes, play excellent, if crafty and diminished, baseball until 40. Why not Manny????? His upside in 2012 as a very smart veteran is certainly as high as, say, Kalish as a top prospect. If he wants to retire as a Red Sox, achieve personal performance goals, and would do so for a reasonable wage, I see every reason to try and accomodate him with a contract that works for everyone.
If a healthy Manny, in 2008, hits 310/400/590/35HR, at age 36, this would indicate he could continue to contribute substantially through 2012, even if platooned with a 4th OF.
Despite conventional wisdom, look at the multiple and complex values gained by finding ways for him to play out his career here, as another of the legends that make us the Red Sox.
The formula, therefore, is a contract commensurate with his ability to continue hitting and contributing as a 39 and 40 year old, when he retires, at which time we retire his number, and start our annual Manny days.

By: Mostly Running.

Mostly Running. — Sun, 24 Feb 2008 04:46:15 +0000

Looks like Tito got his contract. Has anyone seen terms mentioned?

By: Mike

Mike — Sat, 23 Feb 2008 20:46:18 +0000

I can see Manny playing LF alright at 38,…… but that’s as far as I would push it. Take the option years and call it a day. And remember, another factor which impacts on the Manny decision is how well the rest of the team is doing in two years. If Youk is hitting 30 HR, and Ellsbury is batting .350,… and some other rookie has stepped up bigtime,… then the case for Manny will be substantially diluted. And that’s how it oughta be,….. call it team evolution.

By: Gerry

Gerry — Sat, 23 Feb 2008 19:26:09 +0000

Hi Daniel,
I like Pat Burrell, but in 2010-2011-2012, I would rather have Manny in LF than anyone else who will hit at the same level . . . assuming Manny still has 4 more good years.
35 year old Manny will turn 38 during the 2010 season, hopefully a young and healthy 38. Pat will turn 33, so getting him would be stop-gap, starting a revolving door in LF, and he might not come too cheap, or have Manny’s remarkable endurance.
Despite baseball’s peripatetic history, some players should just stick with their team, and the team should stick with them. I can’t see Jeter in a Dodger uniform. Manny has become part of the fabric of Boston and its Red Sox. It would be good for everyone if he could end his career here.
If Manny has the great year predicted in 2008, we might assume that 2 – 3 years later he could still be hitting in the .300/375/450/25-30HR range. If Pat, or whomever, is still hitting in the .260/375/450/25-30HR range in 2011 – 12 at ages 34 and 35, I would rather have Manny.
Manny’s health, performance, and happiness in 2008 will help predict what is possible for 2009 – 2012. If he does well, I hope Theo, in late 2008, will sit Manny down and express our desire to keep him with the Sox for four more years . . . but at revised numbers that are fair to both parties, reflecting age, potential for declining #’s, time lost due to possible injuries, etc. (Use Ted Williams as the example for all of the above, including his demand for a lower salary.)
The contract would have incentives built in for performance, staying in shape, playing days, etc. so that, all things being equal, he would get paid well for great seasons, and v.v.
Manny would probably accept it, as this is what he has indicated he wants . . . “for more years” in Sox uniform. Manny, one of the richest men in baseball, can afford to play it fair, knowing he couldn’t do much better starting over somewhere else. And this would achieve other, more personal, more important goals for him. It’s more than the money. If he doesn’t, then he will move on. If he does, we keep our heroes.

By: Z

Sat, 23 Feb 2008 19:09:27 +0000

Have you guys seen the Clemens pic at the Canseco BBQ? http://www.drodd.com/clemens-at-canseco-barbecue.jpg

By: Daniel Rathman

Daniel Rathman — Sat, 23 Feb 2008 04:15:15 +0000

Mike:
I’m thinking that too. But if he wants four years, no deal. The Sox might have the money, but they just can’t keep locking into contracts with players that old.
Of course, I must say that one of the things Theo’s done quite well at is letting older guys go right before they tumble…so perhaps he warrants some trust here.

By: Mike

Mike — Sat, 23 Feb 2008 02:15:59 +0000

— Manny’s longevity with the Sox would be greatly expanded if he could look forward to simply DH’ing in his twilight years,… but Ortiz sort of owns that role, and he’s 3 years younger than Manny. I think that if Ramirez can perform well enough this season to get the Red Sox to exercise those two option years, then that will be all Manny should be counting on, legacy-wise,… career-wise,… or otherwise. He would be 39, rich as hell,…. and his HoF credentials will have been cemented,, have no fear. In any event, I don’t see a 4-year deal.

By: Daniel Rathman

Daniel Rathman — Sat, 23 Feb 2008 01:32:35 +0000

Realistically, if he wants a 4- or 5-year deal, I don’t think the Sox can keep him. It’s simply not worth the risk. I’d pick up his option, but that’s as far as I’d go for now.
Otherwise, assuming the Phils don’t keep him, I’d just sign Pat Burrell.