Any interest in Manny Ramirez?

[Rusch33]

There is no way I want Manny's horrid defense on this team - he makes Dunn and Alou look like gold glovers.

 

 

It's funny how everyone makes fun of Ramirez defense when he has 12 assist on the year and a .994 fielding percentage.

 

You sure you want to take a stab at his defense this season?

[Rusch33]

While he's no gold glover, Manny's defensive woes are a bit exaggerated. He actually has a fairly strong and accurate arm in LF.

 

Any guess who currently leads all outfielders in baseball in assists?

 

 

That would be Manny Ramirez, who everyone takes a stab at his defense.

[Knightlife_in_Lubbock]

While he's no gold glover, Manny's defensive woes are a bit exaggerated. He actually has a fairly strong and accurate arm in LF.

 

Any guess who currently leads all outfielders in baseball in assists?

 

Jerry Hairston Jr.? Oh wait, they tag up on him.

[WindyCity]

While he's no gold glover, Manny's defensive woes are a bit exaggerated. He actually has a fairly strong and accurate arm in LF.

 

Any guess who currently leads all outfielders in baseball in assists?

 

 

That would be Manny Ramirez, who everyone takes a stab at his defense.

 

Exactly.

 

 

So, in summary...... get the guy if you can Jim -- one of those last minute 4-team deals with Boston again and this time lets have the Cubs win it all in October.

[ZMovieman]

The privacy issue is something to consider, though I think it would be better in Chicago to be honest. I've heard that Boston media is relentless and scathing. Chicago, while a major media market with plenty of reporters, will be less invasive (so long as he performs). However, I don't know if it would really be different enough for Manny to be happy.

[WindyCity]

The privacy issue is something to consider, though I think it would be better in Chicago to be honest. I've heard that Boston media is relentless and scathing. Chicago, while a major media market with plenty of reporters, will be less invasive (so long as he performs). However, I don't know if it would really be different enough for Manny to be happy.

 

As bad as we may think the Chicago media is.... you just have to look at the smile on Nomar's face when he's around to know they are nothing like their Boston/NY counterparts.....

 

Manny would settle in fine in Chicago.

[sethuel1]

I wonder why "ManRam" never caught on as a nickname for him. :-k

Thats what I call him.

[sonicdethmonkey0]

although i don't really care that manny sucks on defense, i would argue that one of the reasons that manny has so many outfield assists is that he's playing in front of the green monster. i can see a lot of players hitting ropes off the wall that manny can play off a hop and gun someone trying to stretch a single into a double.

 

if boston would eat a significant portion of manny's contract, i'd be for manny big-time. it's pretty unlikely, however.

Edited July 27, 2005 by sonicdethmonkey0

[Roast]

.313/.409/.598

.305/.374/.555

 

 

One of those sets of career numbers belong to Hank Aaron. The other belongs to Manny Ramirez.

 

Guess which line is manny's?

 

Now, I'm not gonna actually say he is the next hank aaron. But, really, you cant deney the fact that whatever defensive problems he may (or may not) have, he will make up for it over and over agian with his Offense.

Edited July 27, 2005 by Roast

[Cubzfan64]

The Boston media IS definitely relentless and is MUCH more irritating to players than I ever heard the Chicago media be.

 

In the 2 years I've lived near Boston, I would say Manny is at his best when he's having fun playing - whatever that takes. I'm not so sure he's a "team" player as a couple of you have pointed out - I think he's more a "Manny" player - his comments about giving up some salary to keep Pedro is more because he and Pedro were buddies - as he is with Ortiz and Millar.

 

Manny is definitely a below average left fielder - if you've watched him as many times as I have now, you'll see that. He DOES play the ball well off the wall, but I've seen him have quite a few "gaffs" in left field where he missed routine fly balls or misplayed balls into more bases. His arm is strong, and reasonably accurate - that said, I do agree with those of you who say his offensive production makes up for the downsides of his defense.

 

He has quite a few moments where you get the feeling he just isn't "into the game" and the Boston media rips him constantly for his lack of hustle, his instances of "calling in sick" and/or asking for days off just when he doesn't seem to feel like playing for whatever reason.

 

I get the feeling Manny is one of those rare guys who has just an amazing talent at hitting a baseball, but I don't think he "loves" the game of baseball - he does it because he's really good at the offensive part and can make significant $ for that skill - he puts up with the rest of the crap associated with the game only when he's having fun - when the game becomes too much of a "job" for him, he tends to lose interest.

 

All those things said, adding him to our offense for 1-2 years would be huge for us - as much as many of you hate Pujolz, it would be like adding his offense to the middle of our order.

 

You just have to learn to accept the downsides of Manny in order to get the upsides.

[rawaction]

I agree with Poudre. Manny is well worth having in LF. I wouldn't even care if Boston didn't eat a dime. Manny is enough of an offensive producer, playing him at catcher would be worth having his bat in the lineup (slight exaggeration).

[Uber]

Now, I'm not gonna actually say he is the next hank aaron. But, really, you cant deney the fact that whatever offensive problems he may (or may not) have, he will make up for it over and over agian with his Offense.

 

Qua? Might want to fix that before someone makes a bad joke about it Roast.

[CubfaninCA]

From what I've heard, Manny has been put on waivers at least 2 of the last 3 offseasons but nobody is willing to take on his ~$20 mil per year salary.

 

Boston would probably eat some of the money, but my guess is both sides continue this love/hate relationship until he either retires at the end of his Boston contract or moves on to another team.

 

Manny can be a lazy butt both on offense and defense and he's likely less than an average fielder, but for the right combination of players, I think it might be interesting to throw him into the offense in Wrigley for a couple years.

 

I doubt it will happen, but it would probably be fun.

 

 

Just make them eat Kerry's deal for next year. If dugout dollars is correct, the difference in Manny and Kerry's pay is $7 million for 2006. Also, since Boston has been waiving Manny, I bet they'd roll the dice and give Wood an extension.

 

Throw the Red Sox Dopriak and perhaps another prospect. The Cubs would owe Manny $38 in 2007 and 2008. Not bad considering his production. Also, w/ the Cubs brininging in fans by the millions, they'll most likely be raising revenue, so there shouldn't be a budget problem.

 

 

If the Red Sox wanted a injury prone pitcher that's never won 15 games, why not just take A.J. Burnett - at least he's healthy now. Kerry Wood is damaged goods that no team would touch, let alone give an extension to.

 

Cause Florida wouldn't take Manny.

[Roast]

Now, I'm not gonna actually say he is the next hank aaron. But, really, you cant deney the fact that whatever offensive problems he may (or may not) have, he will make up for it over and over agian with his Offense.

 

Qua? Might want to fix that before someone makes a bad joke about it Roast.

 

DOH.......

[imb]

I agree with Poudre. Manny is well worth having in LF. I wouldn't even care if Boston didn't eat a dime. Manny is enough of an offensive producer, playing him at catcher would be worth having his bat in the lineup (slight exaggeration).

 

Agreed. Obviously this is a pipedream, but Manny is one of the Holy Trinity as far as hitters go (Bonds/Pujols/Manny). He really is an amazing hitter.

[hawkeyecub]

I agree with Poudre. Manny is well worth having in LF. I wouldn't even care if Boston didn't eat a dime. Manny is enough of an offensive producer, playing him at catcher would be worth having his bat in the lineup (slight exaggeration).

 

Agreed. Obviously this is a pipedream, but Manny is one of the Holy Trinity as far as hitters go (Bonds/Pujols/Manny). He really is an amazing hitter.

 

I definitely agree with that, he had been underrated for much of his career until the last two years or so.

 

But doesn't it say something when any team could have had him without having to give up anything after the '03 season? When he was put on irrevocable waivers, no one wanted to touch him with that contract and some of his flaws. And the fact that Boston was willing to give him away for nothing just to get out of that contract.

Certainly it's easier to absorb that contract now that two years are off of it, but the point remains.

[imb]

Yeah, it probably says that a lot of teams didnt have 20 million to spend, or didnt need a 20 million dollar upgrade in leftfield.

[nilodnayr]

Also, as years and money come off of Mannys contract he becomes more attractive, 3 years, 52M (or whatever it is) is much better than 4 years 70M.

[hawkeyecub]

Yeah, it probably says that a lot of teams didnt have 20 million to spend, or didnt need a 20 million dollar upgrade in leftfield.

 

Gotta love that sarcasm.

 

Yes, you're right. That was the ONLY concern teams had. And the only reason the Red Sox wanted to dump him was his contract.

[EastonBlues22]

While he's no gold glover, Manny's defensive woes are a bit exaggerated. He actually has a fairly strong and accurate arm in LF.

 

Any guess who currently leads all outfielders in baseball in assists?

 

 

That would be Manny Ramirez, who everyone takes a stab at his defense.

Of course, at least part of the reason for his nice assist totals is that everyone runs on him every chance they get because they know he's weak defensively.

 

His defensive contributions by any other standard are underwhelming at best.

[imb]

Yeah, it probably says that a lot of teams didnt have 20 million to spend, or didnt need a 20 million dollar upgrade in leftfield.

 

Gotta love that sarcasm.

 

Yes, you're right. That was the ONLY concern teams had. And the only reason the Red Sox wanted to dump him was his contract.

 

Yup, it was. I think a lot people are wary of paying a LF 20 million a year, no matter how good he is.

[hawkeyecub]

Yeah, it probably says that a lot of teams didnt have 20 million to spend, or didnt need a 20 million dollar upgrade in leftfield.

 

Gotta love that sarcasm.

 

Yes, you're right. That was the ONLY concern teams had. And the only reason the Red Sox wanted to dump him was his contract.

 

Yup, it was. I think a lot people are wary of paying a LF 20 million a year, no matter how good he is.

 

I acknowledged he's one of the best hitters in the game and has been for some time. I also said he had been underrated nationally until the last couple of years and he would be a huge boost to any team.

 

But to just ignore any shortcomings he has is ridiculous. Boston was fed up with some of his antics off the field and his lackadaisical play in the field and on the bases. That doesn't mean I wouldn't want him on the Cubs, that just means that he has flaws.

 

My point is that if Vlad, Bonds or Pujols were placed on irrevocable waivers and had that same contract, I think there would be much more interest and someone would snatch them up.

[Cubzfan64]

Just a quick case in point on Manny and something that has been typical - expecially recently in his play.

 

10th inning of last night's game, Damon led off with a HR to put Boston up by one run. Renteria got on 1B and Manny hit a groundball to the SS that looked like it would be a DP. The SS had to go deeper into the hole than it first looked like, and his throw to 2B took the 2B off the bag allowing Renteria to be safe - the throw from 2B to 1B took the 1B off the base which allowed Manny to be safe - all good things right???

 

Well, on the replay, Manny did nothing more than jog down the 1B line when he hit the ball - and I don't mean what we seem from Aramis now and then - Manny was literaly JOGGING down the line. The Red Sox went on to score another run in that inning which they needed to win because TB scored one in the bottom of the 10th.

 

THAT'S the kind of crap play that Boston has put up with from Manny for a few years now. Manny is NOT a team player imho - and he only seems to put forth an effort when he's happy - when he's not, he isn't always vocal about it, but you can see it in his lack of effort.

 

I still think it would be interesting to have Manny in LF for the Cubs, but in the unlikely event that it would happen, we need to be prepared for the WHOLE package that is Manny Ramirez, and there's plenty of bad that comes along with the good.

[Cubzfan64]

Manny must really want out of Boston - yesterday he lollygagged down the first baseline in extra innings, then today they say he told Francona he wanted a day off - when asked if he would reconsider and/or come in if needed he said no - he needed a "full" day off.

 

His salary certainly is a problem, but I wonder how badly Boston would really like to say goodbye - especially as it nears the deadline.

 

Would you consider trading Aramis Ramirez (perhaps packaged with a relief pitcher) for Manny Ramirez and Kevin Youkalis? Youkalis is a really hard nosed "down and dirty" kind of ballplayer who plays a decent 3B and I honestly think if given a starting job would be a good hitter. Manny + Youkalis offense > Aramis

 

It was just a thought - trying to think of something Boston would want - it would allow them to ship off Mueller to Minnesota the way they want for a pitcher.

[sonicdethmonkey0]

Would you consider trading Aramis Ramirez (perhaps packaged with a relief pitcher) for Manny Ramirez and Kevin Youkalis? Youkalis is a really hard nosed "down and dirty" kind of ballplayer who plays a decent 3B and I honestly think if given a starting job would be a good hitter. Manny + Youkalis offense > Aramis

 

NO