Jerry Manuel Hearts Manny Ramirez

Manny Ramirez is still unsigned. The Dodgers are apparently unwilling to offer him anything greater than a two-year deal -- when did Ned Colletti get so stingy with his aging free agent fund? -- the Giants are merely flirting, and pretty much everyone else appears unwilling to make Manny an offer. That includes the Mets.

COO Fred Wilpon thinks ownership is interested in Ramirez, but that the "baseball people," meaning GM Omar Minaya, have essentially taken the option off the table. Weird.

So of course someone got Jerry Manuel to talk about that decision, and it appears not all of the "baseball people" are in line on the decision. J-Man loves him some Manny, too:

Asked if Manny Being Manny would be a problem for him or the Mets' clubhouse, Manuel said: "Nah, I don't think so. I don't have a problem with people that produce in the form and fashion that Manny Ramirez produces. We shouldn't spend that much time in the locker room anyway. Our job is to be on the field, and Manny Ramirez has proven that he is probably one of the best right-handed hitters of our generation. To have a shot at managing him would be exciting for me. I've had Albert Belle, Frank Thomas, tremendous right-handed hitters. I would love to have the opportunity to watch Manny hit every day."

Manuel later deferred to the higher ups about actually signing Ramirez, but the message is pretty clear: Jerry wants Manny. Does Manny want Jerry? Perhaps the Mets can draw up a piece of paper with check boxes for "yes," "no" and "maybe." They should -- Manny would be a huge boost to the Mets' chances against Philly in the NL East in 2009, even if Minaya has to tack on one too many years to do it.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

1-27-2009 @ 5:55PM

Mark said...

Yeah Jerry you let them know what they are missing by not signing Manny....probably a championship.....Philadelphia will have the upper hand again
We need a bat very baddly and Manny Ramirez has one we can use do it before is too late

1-27-2009 @ 6:07PM

homebasedwork1 said...

I wish the Cincinnati Reds would sign Ramirez. He is exactly what they need to push them back into the playoffs with their otherwise young but talented team that lacks a right handed power hitting outfielder. All they need him for is about 2 or 3 years then send him out to pasture. He seems to not like all the attention he gets. At Cincinnati he wouldnt get any attention except for what the Reds fans give him, and I guarantee you if they had him on the team they have right now they would get the wild card behind the Cubs winning the division. The ownership needs to show a commitment to winning.

1-27-2009 @ 6:42PM

nolboy62 said...

please go get manny nyc

1-27-2009 @ 7:43PM

shezowa said...

Take if from a Red Sox fan...Manny isn't always on the field. If he decides he wants a day off, you won't get to see him be the best right handed batter of his generation. A long term deal for Manny is a very bad idea. I can see a one or two year deal at the most.

1-27-2009 @ 7:44PM

Richie Tee said...

Manny will put the Mets over the top....but ay what price......"oh,my right knee hurts...no its my left knee no its my contract...more years more money,now or I'll get Boris after you"....Mets could use him...but

1-27-2009 @ 10:39PM

dinohealth said...

Manny is a winner, and the Mets could have used a .400 bat and umptee homeruns and RBIS going down the stretch (two years in a row, now)! If they can afford the cash, it would be dumb not to risk an extra year or two on what their manager thinks (along with a lot of other people) is one of the greatest hitters of his generation!

1-28-2009 @ 11:09AM

rcott1019 said...

A team that gives Manny a decent 3 year deal is going to get it back. Manny is positioned to hit milestones, especially in 2010 and 2011--600 home runs, 3,000 hits. The fan draw alone is going to be worth it. I'm sad that he won't be with the Sox when he accomplishes those marks--I was in Cleveland when he came up as a rookie. Yes, he's a pain in the butt, and he's arrogant and eccentric as hell, but he's in the ozone as a player of our generation. He belongs somewhere, and the Mets wouldn't be a bad place for him.

2-02-2009 @ 12:37PM

oahmed403 said...

Manny please go to the yankees!!!

2-03-2009 @ 9:47AM

Mr. Miyagi said...

Steinbrenner spent more money to bail out the Yankees than the government spent to bail out the auto industry, so go ahead Mets, spend a few extra bucks. You'll probably recoup it in results and revenue. Sure the stadium is already sold out for this year, but success might sell some more season tix for next year. Plus, you'll make it back on little things like jersey sales and such. It won't be the worst decision you've ever made. Go for it.

2-03-2009 @ 3:14PM

cupey3486 said...

ay jerry convince el cheapo wilpon to signed manny at any cost.my crystal ball shows delgado going thru the same slump as last year.beltran hitting 199. with man in scoring position.castillo should be dump. signed hudson and maybe we could compete with the phillies and the rest of the league. frustrated met fan.