Comments on: Would you hire Manny Ramirez?

By: Tim Walker

Tim Walker — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 16:08:46 +0000

Cantabrig5 — In general, I agree with you about not wanting to hire anyone who’s not going to get with the program, who’s going to put his own moods above the health of the team, and so on.

That said, I have two objections to what you say:

1. Bonds is *demonstrably* in his own separate category of clubhouse poison, and Manny is nowhere close. If Simmons is right, Manny has needed (1) more tough-minded teammates to bring him in line, and (2) separation from Boras. Those things are not forthcoming, so no, I wouldn’t hire him either. But that’s a loooooooong way from the behavior that Bonds exhibited year after year.

2. It’s convenient for sports fans to fall back on the argument that stars are paid millions to play a kid’s game, ergo they should be grateful, humble, etc. And indeed, the best human beings among the great players (Mays, Clemente, Brett, et al.) do this. But Manny plays baseball to make money, and fans are happy to fork out money to watch him hit.

So whether we like it or not, it IS an economic transaction, and Manny IS worth $20MM+ on today’s market. So, little though I like it, he’s earned the right — economically — to express whatever attitude he cares to.

By: Tim Walker

Tim Walker — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 15:55:29 +0000

CoolProducts — While Manny-in-K.C. would certainly be an adventure, I think that Dee’s points are particularly relevant when you consider how much of the Royals’ payroll Manny would represent. Teams as bad as the Royals need more help than ANY one player can bring — whether we’re talking about help in winning games, or help in terms of putting butts in the seats.

Dee — Overall, I agree with you. That said, there are VERY few pitchers who could have as much impact on a team’s win column as Manny could over the next couple of seasons. But you could take, say, $25 million per year and get a couple of quality starters plus a bullpen stud. *That* would help a mediocre team more, plus spread out the risk of injury.

By: Tim Walker

Tim Walker — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 15:51:20 +0000

Glenda — Good idea. L.A. seems like a very good cultural fit for Manny, for reasons that Bill Simmons made clear in the article I linked to. Here’s the key quote from Manny himself:

“Baseball in Boston is like a Sunday football game, but played every day. We lose in L.A., I go to breakfast and people say, ‘Well, you’ll get them tomorrow.’ In Boston, it’s ‘Hey, what’s going on, the Yankees are coming.’ It’s just a different atmosphere. The fans in Boston got your back no matter what, but I’m talking about the people who write all this bull because it means so much to them. If your happiness depends on Boston winning or losing, you have to get a life.”

Mind you, this is coming from a guy who’s supposed to be a total airhead.

By: Cantabrig5

Cantabrig5 — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 21:20:59 +0000

Forget his health–the guy’s poison in the clubhouse. As an employer, I wouldn’t want ANYONE around who feels the need to constantly badmouth the organization he’s working for.

He’s already told the Dodgers that he couldn’t care less whether he spends another season there. That’s a pretty big attitude he’s carrying around considering he’s paid $20mm a year to play a GAME.

So, no–I don’t think I’d any sooner hire Manny than I would Barry Bonds.

By: Dee

Dee — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 19:14:37 +0000

I would definitely not sign Manny to a multi-year contract. He’s one injury away from being on the shelf for a long time. At his age you really have to consider if it’s worth shelling out all that money for one player becuase he’s defintely on the tail-end of his career.

I’d rather much acquire a pitcher with that money or try to improve my bullpen.

By: CoolProducts

CoolProducts — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 15:35:09 +0000

I’m from Kansas City.. meaning the Royals.. Now I doubt they could/would shell out that kind of money, but I definitely would hire him if I could. The team out here is deflated, and they’ve been this way for a good amount of time. Even if it didn’t make the team a whole new team, it’d still help to revitalize the energy and draw once fans, like me, who are tired of the game, back into the stands.

By: Glenda

Glenda — Sat, 18 Oct 2008 13:18:45 +0000

I’d sign him to a multi-year contract with a whole bunch of incentives tacked on after the first two years – then I’d buy up every dreadlock wig, shirt, cap, anything blue that has Manny’s name and stamp on it, and sell like crazy! In a couple of years the Dodgers might make back the last 2-3 years of that contract in merchandising revenue alone. Plus, he’ll fill seats. Did you see all the little kids at the games who had dread wigs on? Baseball is magical! And yes – I’d hire him in a New York minute!