That's a quote from Scott Boras in today's L.A. Times, the implication, of course, being that he doesn't consider the Dodgers' initial offer to Manny Ramirez to be serious.

Lots of time left for this drama to play out, but those holding out hope that Manny would re-sign in L.A. before the Blue's exclusive negotiating window closed Thursday night -- surely there's one or two of you out there -- can officially let said hope die.

BK

UPDATE:  Be sure to check in for Wednesday's edition of Purple, Gold, and Blue.  We'll kick around the hot stove (not literally, since it burns), and get an update from LAT Dodgers beat writer Dylan Hernandez.  Also, we mention in the video below that Manny's deal, with the option, could be worth around $70 mil.  Hernandez reports the value at $60 mil... which isn't likely to make the deal any more appealing to Camp Manny.  BK

Thus, BK and I talking in video form about one Manuel Aristides Ramirez makes perfect sense.

Our first segment is about the contract reportedly offered by the Dodgers that left Team Manny (along with Team AK/BK) underwhelmed.  If it's just a starting point, OK, just prepare to make another in the near future.  If that's more or less "the" offer, it's understandable why folks question the front office's sincerity in bringing #99 back to the Ravine.  Considering they're also often skeptical (whether deservedly or not) about Frank McCourt's dedication to the franchise, do you see where I'm running with this?

The second item centers on how Manny, whether the team admits it publicly or not, is the elephant in the room that affects every other offseason decision.  One could make an argument this team has a lot of holes to fill, unless you don't consider shortstop, third and/or second, a big bat, another starting pitcher, perhaps a closer, plus a fair amount of bench players much of a chore.  Thus, the Dodgers claiming they can't put the world on hold until they figure out the Manny situation makes sense.  Unfortunately, he's a big enough piece of the puzzle that it's basically unavoidable, whether they like it or not.

The videos are below the jump.

AK

Or at least my take on the starters, check out the Mike Scioscia's Tragic Illness eval of the rotation that was.  Granted, the blog's analysis doesn't shake out much different than mine, but hey, it's always fun to read a well-constructed look at Blue hurlers.  And when MSTI eventually analyzes the relief staff, if a new fangled Sports Illustrated formula weighs into the equation, Big Jon Broxton might find himself docked a few letters.

AK 

For reasons I can't understand, the Dodgers are still referred to as "long shots" in a Jake Peavy deal, with the favorites being Atlanta and Chicago.  It's not that I think they have a great chance of getting him, but the language should be revised down to "no-shots."  Unless things get desperate in San Diego -- and they could, since a casual glance leaves you with the impression that things aren't going well for Pads GM Kevin Towers in this whole process -- there's no way the Dodgers will be able to field a competitive package, given the premium San Diego is asking for to trade him within the division.

It's a great indication of how things work in the Wonderful World of Hot Stove that, despite the fact that in the current climate absolutely nobody thinks the Dodgers are actual players, they keep getting lumped in because they're, well, the Dodgers.

The good news?  Not worrying about Peavy gives everyone a chance to continue dissecting L.A.'s offer to Manny, and to try to figure out whether it was designed as a PR stunt or a jumping-off point in a larger negotiation process.   

BK

If the reported numbers in the Dodgers' offer to Manny Ramirez are correct, I'm betting the following 10 phrases came up at least once during Ned Colletti's and Scott Boras' conversation:

1) "See, the problem is ..."
2) "Waiting to get out from under ..."
3) "Schmidt ..."
4) "Curacao's Finest ..."
5) "Still paying for Juan either way ..."
6) "Can only jack up a Canter's pastrami so much ..."
7) "Is a team option really all that different from a player option ..."
8) "The threat of him going goony bird again ..."
9) "What if we bring back Ozuna ..."
10) "A very irritating laugh, Scott ..."

Me thinks another trip to the drawing board will be required.

AK

Here's the latest from the LAT's Bill Shaikin and Dylan Hernandez:

"The Dodgers have offered Manny Ramirez a two-year contract worth $45 million, two sources told The Times today.

"The offer includes a 2009 salary of $15 million and an option for a third year, according to sources granted anonymity because they were not authorized to publicly discuss contract details.

"Dodgers General Manager Ned Colletti on Wednesday said the offer represented "the second-highest average annual value in baseball" but declined to specify that value. Colletti today declined to comment."

Earlier, when reports had the offer up in the neighborhood of three years, $75 mil, I thought the Dodgers were making a legitimate effort to retain him.  This?  I don't see it as a viable offer, unless the bottom drops out of the Manny Market.  It could very well be a starting point, giving themselves room to negotiate up (remember, we're very early in this process), but I would be stunned if a two-year deal at almost any amount of money would get it done. 

Fans shouldn't assume that this is the best and final offer, but it's also not a package that will bring Manny back to L.A.  Not close, I wouldn't think.

In other news, Tony Jackson of the Daily News has posted the transcript from an interview Scott Boras gave today on XM Radio.  Thanks to Dodger Thoughts for the tip.  Colletti was on with Colin Cowherd, talkin' Blue, as was Boras.

BK

Nothing too earth-shattering here, but ESPN.com's John Shea has posted his "winter forecast" for the Blue.  No surprise to read that one big problem the Dodgers have is with the sheer number of free agents with which they have to deal. 

It's worth taking the time, though, to read the forecasts for the rest of the division to get a better handle on the moving parts of the NL West.  In a division with no real powerhouse, the impact of each offseason is heightened.  It doesn't take much movement for one team to separate from the others. 

BK

The Times' Dylan Hernandez and Bill Shaikin are reporting that a formal offer has been extended to #99.  Exacts -- whether in dollars or years -- weren't specified, but it's rumored to be a two-year deal, and Ned Colletti has said the deal would make Manny the second-highest annually paid player in baseball.  Not to mention the tops in franchise history. 

Anything to keep Andruw Jones and Jason Schmidt from being the most expensive dudes on the payroll, I always say.

More details as they emerge.  Just wanted to give the heads up.

AK

The latter cat should be no surprise to watch pocket a 50 K buyout, given a rather poor, injury-plagued season lowlighted by an inability to return tosses back to the hill (a skill generally considered mandatory at the big league level).  But there was speculation that the Dodgers might exercise a nine-mil option, whether in hopes that a newly healthy shoulder could bolster a thin '09 projected rotation (a notion supported by Mike Scioscia's Tragic Illness) or as a potential trade chip. But considering the big righty has grown more injury prone each season, ain't much on conditioning, took a bullpen demotion with the grace of a "My Super Sweet 16" star, and wasn't forthright about his health because he wanted to establish market value in the face of contract uncertainty, I assumed the Dodgers would buy him out for two mil.  Obviously, that doesn't make a return engagement impossible, but the vibe I get from the powers that be is one of not wanting him around anymore.   

Were I in their shoes, I wouldn't either.  Putting aside his crap attitude down the '08 stretch, Penny has developed a habit of getting worse as April progresses into September, a trend I don't see getting any better with increasing age or (let's be honest) weight.  And if the fireballer was this obsessed over his next deal before even knowing for sure his contract would end (for a while, the popular school of thought was that he'd be brought back), I imagine him an even bigger hassle to deal with as a true free agent unless happy.  Considering he's not a lock to make the rotation -- James McDonald showed some promise and Jason Schmidt could maybe, maybe get healthy -- this strikes me as a potential headache not worth an Advil swallow.

Thoughts?

AK

(Photo: Carlos Chavez)

Hey, guys.  There were some technical issues with the mothership, meaning today's broadcast of "Purple, Gold and Blue" is a no-go. Disappointing, yes, but it means next week's show will be doubly good.

Sorry for the glitch.

BK