Manny Ramirez, Los Angeles Dodgers Still at Standstill

Manny Ramirez, the star left fielder still left on the free agent market, has still not decided on a playing destination for 2009. Ramirez, currently the top hitter available, has not received any offers from any other teams, according to multiple reports.

The Los Angeles Dodgers made an offer about three months ago to Ramirez. Ramirez's agent, Scott Boras, still is waiting for the Dodgers to up their offer. Boras is widely considered to be the toughest agent in baseball to deal with, and the Los Angeles Dodgers may not be willing to pay a premium when there are so many other cheaper options at corner outfield.

The offer currently in place is a two year, $45 million dollar deal, which is a significant contract for a player with the star appeal of Manny Ramirez. Ramirez was a key component and reason why the Los Angeles Dodgers qualified for the playoffs last season, and Boras knows that. Ramirez is no spring chicken, however-at the veteran age of 36, the Dodgers are extremely reluctant to go longer than a two year deal.

Throughout all of these negotiations, it has been a frustrating time for both Scott Boras and the Los Angeles Dodgers. Neither the team nor the agent appear to be in a position to budge. With fewer and fewer days to go before pitchers and catchers report to spring training camp, time is at a premium for getting Ramirez into camp on time.

While the San Francisco Giants have expressed interest in Manny Ramirez, the Dodgers are not buying any of the supposed interest. If the interest is actually all rumors, then it would be in a sole attempt to drive up his price.

The San Francisco Giants would love nothing more than to see the Los Angeles Dodgers overpay for Manny, seeing that they are both in the National League West Division. The Giants made a severe mistake with starting pitcher Barry Zito, so they may be hoping that Ramirez flops as well.

It is extremely unlikely that Ramirez would end up retiring from the game for good. After helping the Dodgers make a late season run to the playoffs, there is no doubt in my mind that he wants to have that same kind of impact on a team this year-whether it be the Dodgers or not. Expect the Dodgers to slightly up their offer and get Ramirez in training camp-he'll need all the time he can get to prepare for the upcoming 2009 season.

Source: http://www.latimes.com/sports/baseball/mlb/dodgers/la-sp-shaikin-manny-ramirez24-2009jan24,0,1238148.story?page=1&track=rss