The autumn of Manny begins
Thursday marked the first day of free agency, and all we know about the whole Manny Situation (Surely you're familiar with The Manny Situation?) is that Manny Ramirez is, in fact, a free agent. He filed today, along with many of LA's other free agents. The New York Post reports that the Blue have offered Manny two years for $60 mil... Dylan Hernandez of the LAT reports Ned Colletti and Scott Boras haven't actually spoken (Colletti has, however, engaged in "preliminary discussions" with the agents for Rafael Furcal and Casey Blake).
My take? I seriously doubt anything is on the table already. The short year/money heavy deal mentioned by the Post makes sense for the Dodgers and is a reasonable place to start. But either way, don't look for this to be a quick process, no matter where Manny lands. There will be rumors and innuendo, most of which won't be true.
But isn't that what makes the hot stove fun?
In other news, on the odd chance you've been waiting to make a decision on Prop. 8 because you were unclear on where Jeff Kent stood on the issue, you're officially good to go.
BK
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I smell a slogan in the works!
Prop 8: It's KENT-tastic!
AK
Posted by: Andrew Kamenetzky | October 30, 2008 at 08:01 PM
Yet another reason to not like Kent.
In a bizarre way, I'm happy the Dodgers didn't win it this year. Kent doesn't deserve the satisfaction.
Posted by: Benzo Jones | October 30, 2008 at 10:21 PM
I'd be surprised if any official Manny news comes up any time soon as BK mentioned. This 15 day window with the Blue will amount to nothing as Boras is going to do some shopping. We will probably hear Furcal and Blake official news before Manny comes up. Whoever lands Manny will probably give the most on a short term contract. Regarding Kent, well its official, he's not coming back!!!!
Posted by: Matsuda | October 30, 2008 at 10:55 PM
BK,
If the Kent item opens the door to a bunch of political comments from other bloggers (which I know you guys don't want), you'll only have yourselves to blame !!
I also get why you had to post it though - too good to pass up.
On Manny, I agree completely this won't be a short process. Boras' goal has to be to get multiple bidders into the process to try to drive up the price and length of the deal. I don't think the Dodgers' exclusive window gives them any advantage unless they take a "sign with us by November 13 or we're moving on" sort of position - which I don't think they'll do.
Posted by: OhioVic | October 31, 2008 at 03:47 AM
2 guys that seem to fit what Coletti likes are available. Renteria and Griffey. He'll probably want to sign them to replace Furcal and Manny.
david
Posted by: David s | October 31, 2008 at 04:21 AM
Please no more Casey Blake!
Posted by: Adrian | October 31, 2008 at 08:39 AM
OhioVic - for the record my comment was not a political comment, just a human one.
It's well documented that I don't like Kent, and a good part of my dislike has nothing to do with his political views.
In BK's defense for posting the story, this just shows that Kent is a grandstanding moron. Why would anyone even care what he thinks of Prop 8? Why would Kent even think it is a good idea to make that public?
Frankly, I can't wait until Kent gets his plumbers license and our long (Dodger) Nation Nightmare is over.
Posted by: benzo jones | October 31, 2008 at 08:52 AM
On Manny - 3 years $90m. Just sign the deal and get it over with.
Posted by: benzo jones | October 31, 2008 at 08:53 AM
Ohio-
I understand completely, but believe Blue Notes readers will show the appropriate restraint (haha). But you're right- it was hard not to link... especially in the Slow Season of Baseball.
BK
Posted by: Brian Kamenetzky | October 31, 2008 at 09:41 AM
In Kent's defense, he didn't make his politics public. Somebody found his name in public records and outed him. He's fair game on that score.
It doesn't excuse his hateful opinion, however, on gay marriage. But honestly, was anybody surprised to learn this about him? He was a sourpuss his entire career, a bad influence on young players, and never one to consider anyone other than himself. Oh, and he lied about crashing his motorcycle.
Good riddance Jeffy. There's a special homophobic wing of the Hall of Fame waiting for you in 5 years. When you're inducted, please make sure to wear your Giants cap. I'm sure they'll love you even more in San Francisco now that they know your politics.
On Manny, I'd rather go 2 years $70 million, but I'm sure Boras will demand 3 years minimum. Still, he's likely to be injured that third year, so the deal needs to be based on what the Dodgers think they'll get out of him for two years.
If Furcal won't agree to a one-year, incentive-laden deal (a la Nomar in 2006), I say let's get Edgar Renteria to be the bridge to Ivan De Jesus Jr. He'll come a lot more cheaply than Furcal, and he always excels upon returning to the National League after ineffective performances in the AL.
Posted by: SaMo | October 31, 2008 at 09:52 AM
In fairness to Kent, it's nothing personal. He simply defines "marriage" strictly as a union between a man and a motorcycle magazine.
AK
Posted by: Andrew Kamenetzky | October 31, 2008 at 10:03 AM
Benzo,
"On Manny - 3 years $90m. Just sign the deal and get it over with."
Interesting. That's actually the deal I was thinking, too. If they're serious about doing this, give him almost the same amount of money in 3 years that he could get in five, allow themselves to get the theoretically most productive years and assuming Manny is serious about playing into his 40's create a scenario of another contract (either with the Dodgers or elsewhere) is possible. Thus, Manny will hopefully keep the "Manny being Manny" moments to a minimum, since he knows they could torpedo any shot at a new deal down the road.
AK
Posted by: Andrew Kamenetzky | October 31, 2008 at 10:14 AM
M..u...s...t s...h...o...w r...e...s....t....r...a...i...n...t
But seriously, see 'ya Jeff. Please forget to write!
I, too think the offer that MAY get Manny is the 3/$90M one but I understand the negotation is a game. They had to start off at the 2/$60M level to eventually be "persuaded" in their counters to Boras' inevitable posturing to the media et al, before compromising on a 3/$90M deal. The part I keep wondering about is whether this is a real negotation or if McCourt just wants "plausible credibility" before being unable to sign Manny and moving on to some other (less expensive/better knees) free agent.
P.S. Why is no one offering an opinion on the Times item that Beimel is likely moving on to get $2M per, as Kuo has become the primary lefty?? I think if this happens it may be a mistake. Opinions on this?
Posted by: Dan in Pasadena | October 31, 2008 at 10:29 AM
Well, there go my chances of going forward with a Jeff Kent / Clay Aiken Reality TV show which I had in development! Now who am I going to get to star in "Crooner Eye for the Motorcycle Guy???"
Posted by: DodgerBlueBalls | October 31, 2008 at 10:35 AM
Poor Jeff Kent. That $15000 is a high price to pay to try to hide something that that mustache makes abundantly clear.
Posted by: LLCoolL | October 31, 2008 at 11:39 AM
The Post article loses credability when you lay raw numbers to it. If the Dodgers were indeed willing to offer $60mil for two years, they would certainly be willing to gamble for 2 more years for only $20mil more. Even if they were to release him, the $20mil is a cheap insurance policy and there would be only one more year of Pierre's contract left during it's first year, so the second year becomes almost free.
Posted by: dalegribel | October 31, 2008 at 01:00 PM
Geez, Benzo, try to save the Dodgers some money. $82.9 over 3 years amounts to $27.6 million per and thats higher than A-Rods $27.5mln per.
Posted by: A Scanner Darkly | October 31, 2008 at 01:33 PM
Scanner - Manny and Boras are about a statement... #30m a year is a statement, and it's a win win on many levels.
Posted by: Benzo Jones | October 31, 2008 at 02:28 PM
I think that $30 million annually is too much for any player, much less one who will be 37 in the first year of the deal.
Posted by: VA Blueblood | October 31, 2008 at 02:52 PM
Good riddance to Jeff Kent and his creepy homophobia.
Now let's sign Manny and win the World Series in 09!
Posted by: Kw | October 31, 2008 at 02:56 PM
I've always thought Boras's crowning move will be when he gets two of his clients tto have the samee clause in their contracts that require them to be the highest paid player in baseball throughout the lifetime of the deal. Manny gets a bump to $30 mil, A-Rod gets $31, Manny gets $32, A-Rod gets 32.1. It's a never-ending story, and everyone gets rich. And richer. And richer. and richer.
Posted by: SaMo | October 31, 2008 at 04:30 PM
My guess is that Manny will want the longer term contract so he can continue to build up his career numbers and maybe win more championships. He may not agree to a shorter contract even if the money comes out the same.
Posted by: Artful Dodger | October 31, 2008 at 04:36 PM
I can't believe Colletti's comment in this morning's story..."We owe it the the player and Scott...". Until he realizes that he OWES it to the FANS, he's going to be a second-rate GM, which is what LA doesn't deserve!
Posted by: Art | November 03, 2008 at 12:03 PM