The reports are all over the internet. The Boston Red Sox are fed up with the antics of LF Manny Ramirez and are considering working out a trade during the winter. It seems this story makes an annual appearance out of Boston. In other news, the Cleveland Indians need a power right handed bat, preferably someone who plays a corner outfield position. Two and two does equal four, correct? The Tribe is the perfect fit for Manny for many reasons.
The stories out of Beantown say the Sox realize they are not going to get equal value for Ramirez. They understand they are not going to get a Grade A prospect and they will have to pick up a good chunk of his remaining contract, which still has two or three years remaining. If the Indians are serious about increasing their payroll, I doubt you could find a better hitter to spend it on. For all of Manny’s quirks, he still is going to hit .300, 35 HR, and 120 RBI. That would make him the ideal clean up hitter in the ’07 Cleveland lineup.
Even though he has missed some time with an ailing knee down the stretch, Ramirez will turn 35 next season. This makes him younger than Eddie Murray when the Indians brought him in before the 1994 season. Assuming his knee gets repaired, he should be able to play 140-150 games for the length of his contract. In fact, he’s played at least 118 games in a season every year of his career. He’s a defensive liability, but he’s also a left fielder, the easiest position on the diamond.
I’ve heard that Eric Wedge doesn’t want Ramirez on the team, because Manny would require special treatment. I would say that Wedge should learn how to deal with people. Manny Ramirez is going to the HALL OF FAME. If Joe Inglett wants to know why Manny gets to do something that no one else gets away with, Wedge should say exactly that…He’s a Hall of Famer. If the skipper can’t or won’t handle that part of his job, then perhaps he should go back to managing in the minors.
From a public relations standpoint (read: ticket sales), it would be a huge boon for the franchise. This city would be filled with excitement for the Tribe if Manny was coming back. He’s the one guy that should never have left. It would be akin to bringing back Rocky Colavito in the mid-60’s, except we don’t have to trade Tommy John and Tommy Agee to do it. Also, Ramirez will hit his 500th career homer sometimes next season, that will sell some tickets as well.
Getting Ramirez would be win-win. He makes the offense better, providing a legitimate right handed power bat behind Travis Hafner. Acquiring him would show everyone the ownership and management are serious about contending in ’07. The only down side would be getting Manny or Grady Sizemore to change their number. Ramirez wearing a Tribe uni next season would be a great move this winter.
MW
Cleveland Sports Perspective 