Just like 6.1% of all Americans during the economy’s recession, Manny Ramirez is currently unemployed and looking for work. Worse yet for the guy, there is a good chance the new administration is going to tax the bejesus out of him to spread the wealth around. Talk about kicking a guy while he’s down, right?
Standing in line at the soup kitchen, everyone talks about their dreams and aspirations for gainful employment. Mike would love to start computer programming again, Frank dreams of landing an accounting gig, and Joe, naturally, is a former plumber. Manny the Ballplayer knows where he’d like to end up, too. According to a source in the New York Post, Ramirez wants to sign with the New York Yankees and have 19 chances a year to “punish” the Red Sox.
Manny in pinstripes. It doesn’t seem quite right until you remember the ESPN interview in 2003 where Ramirez, born in the Dominican Republic but rasied in New York City, said he would love the opportunity to play for the Yankees. Ramirez has been spitting on the Boston organization and city since he switched coasts, and Scott Boras knows the Yankees have the most cash to spend.
Of course, this goes against almost everything you hear from Brian Cashman. Of course, Brian Cashman doesn’t always call the shots. Mark my words, if George was still King, Manny would be his King Kong-sized attraction to open the New Yankee Stadium. Unfortunately, Hank has proven to be all bark and no bite, so it’s hard to see him forcing Cashman’s hand.
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Manny Ramirez Statistics(2005-2007)
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| Yankee Stadium | AB | AVG | OBP | OPS | R | HR | RBI |
| 63 | .381 | .500 | 1.214 | 14 | 6 | 13 | |
The Yankees would surely have or make a roster spot and corner outfield position available for Manny. It is unlikely that Bobby Abreu will accept arbitration with the team, leaving only Hideki Matsui, Johnny Damon, Brett Gardner, and Melky Cabrera to roam the outfield. Matsui and Damon are both becoming more 1B/DH options, and neither Gardner or Cabrera provide much power at the plate. Do you really think the Yankee fans will be excited to bellow a Garnder-Cabrera-Damon roll call to open the new stadium in 2009? Doesn’t seem so crazy now, does it?