Report: Dodgers Offer To Manny Ramirez Could Expire
The Los Angeles Dodgers’ initial offer to free-agent left-fielder Manny Ramirez could come off the table on Thursday, the last day before free agents are able to negotiate with all 30 Major League teams, the Los Angeles Times reported on its Web site late Tuesday night.
The offer was extended last week by Dodgers general manager Ned Colletti, and the Times reported on Thursday it could be worth as much as $60 million if a third-year option is exercised by the club for the 2011 season.
Citing unnamed sources, the Times said the offer was guaranteed for $45 million over two seasons, but that figure includes a $7.5 million buyout of the third year if the Dodgers don’t exercise the option.
The guaranteed money for the two years is $15 million for 2009 and $22.5 million for 2010, the Times said. That wouldn’t be enough to satisfy Ramirez since his agent, Scott Boras, said last week that he was seeking a six-year deal for his 36-year-old client that would take him through his 42nd birthday.
The Times said that Dodgers owner Frank McCourt could move to sweeten the deal by guaranteeing the third year of the offer.
Colletti gave Boras the offer last week at the General Managers Meetings in Dana Point, Calif.
Colletti declined to confirm the length and financial terms of the agreement to the Times. He said only that he hasn’t spoken to Boras since the GM Meetings ended this past Thursday.
Colletti could not be reached on Tuesday night for comment.
But other team officials downplayed the talk of a deadline as commonplace in all free-agent offers.
Ramirez already has forsaken a $20 million option for 2009 and a $20 million option for 2010. Those options were dropped from his just concluded eight-year, $160 million deal as consideration for agreeing to be traded by the Red Sox to the Dodgers in the closing minutes of the non-waiver Trade Deadline this past July 31.
That’s how Ramirez was able to file for free agency last month just after the end of the World Series.
Ramirez quickly became a fan favorite in Los Angeles with his quirky style and dreadlocks flowing from beneath his cap. He had a huge impact on the field, carrying the Dodgers past the D-backs to win the National League West and as far as Game 5 of the NL Championship Series, where they were eliminated by the eventual World Series champion Phillies.
In 53 games with Los Angeles, Ramirez batted .396 with 17 homers and 53 RBIs as the Dodgers drew 3.7 million fans, second in the NL only to the Mets. In eight postseason games, Ramirez batted .520 (13-for-25) with four homers and 10 RBIs.
Ramirez had previously won the World Series with the Red Sox in 2004 and 2007.
- Barry Bloom, MLB.com
