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Man-O-Manny
I've tried to avoid writing about this rumor, frankly because I didn't think there was anything to it, but the longer Manny Ramirez stays a free agent and the closer Mark Teixeira comes to signing with the Red Sox, the more likely it becomes that the Yanks will make a serious run at Manny Ramirez.
The latest guy to report on their interest is SI.com's Jon Heyman. (HT MLBTR).
Heyman says the Yanks could view Manny as a cheaper offensive upgrade to Teixeira, who the Red Sox are now making a big push for. If Teix signs with the Sox, the market for Manny could grow greatly, the Angels and the Yanks would probably join the hunt with the Dodgers.
It's interesting that Texieira, a Boras client, is rumored to be going to the Sox, the one team that will never take part in the bidding for Manny. Is this a conflict of interests for Boras? In essence, if Teixeira took a little less to play for the Sox, Ramirez could stand to make a lot more due to two new teams being in the market for him. Although I doubt Teixeira is going to have to take less to sign with Boston. Still, it makes you think about Boras' ulterior motives.
In the lineup, Manny would obviously be a huge upgrade. Stick him behind A-Rod in the lineup and A-Rod wins the MVP again. In the field he's a circus. In the clubhouse, he's a cancer. I don't want him on the Yankees, never have, never will. The only true upside I see to signing Manny would be the haircut he'd have to get before opening day.
If Joe Torre were still managing the Yankees, I'd be all for this deal without hesitation. If anyone can control a difficult personality, it's Torre. Manny may be a clubhouse cancer, but he's also the best pure hitter in the game. Torre would find a way of minimizing his negative effect. The lesser Joe would be outmatched and we'd have to hope Manny's production and influence on the lineup would outweigh his potential for wreaking havoc.
As for Texiera, IMO he's overrated. Atlanta made a play for him, hoping to get in the playoffs, no luck. The Angels at least made the playoffs with him but he didn't set the world on fire there either.
Bottom line, Manny has two rings with Boston. Texiera has none. Manny may be worth taking the risk to sign.
If we're comparing Manny and Tex you also have to take into account the length of a deal it would take to get them. Maybe only 2 years for Manny, maybe more than 8 for Tex.
With Manny being Manny, he be looking for a way of exacting revenge on the Sox, and what better way of doing it that with the Yankees?
I thought I read somewhere he was looking for a four year deal. The lesser Joe (how about the nickname Joe Less?) will have a hard time controlling Manny, no matter how long the term.