John W. McDonough/SI
The Giants could become the biggest threat to the Dodgers' hopes to retain Manny Ramirez. Giants people said early this winter that they may make a run at one of the "big three" free agents, and with CC Sabathia and Mark Teixeira off the board, their attention could turn to Ramirez, a rare player who could replicate what Barry Bonds gave the Giants.
As the calendar flips to January, Ramirez represents San Francisco's best hope to make a big offseason move. Last week's signing of Randy Johnson to a one-year contract suggests the Giants are ready to make a move in the NL West, as do the signings of shortstop Edgar Renteria and relievers Jeremy Affeldt and Bobby Howry.
While the Dodgers remain the favorites to sign Ramirez, they would prefer to keep him a two-year contract. Their original two-year, $45 million proposal was withdrawn, but they are expected to propose something else soon.
It isn't known what other teams will pursue Ramirez. But with the Giants in the mix, it might be difficult for the Dodgers to stick to that two-year stance. They tried for weeks to bring back Rafael Furcal on a two-year deal but eventually acceded to a three-year deal after it became clear the Braves offered three years.
DeLeah Caro
Jessica White
Steals of Home since 2000
Steve McNair: 1973-2009
Comments (72) Add A Comment
Dodgers fans/season ticket buyers will NEVER forgive their ownership if this move goes down.
Yankee27
Castaic , CA
Total Comments (1080)
Great, bringing in another overpriced and aging FA outfielder. Why not pursue a bat that's still in the prime of their career instead of quick band-aid solutions?
Haethos
Davis , CA
Total Comments (97)
manny is not a band-aid solution
zip_zap
Brooklyn , NY
Total Comments (10)
If this story has any legs you can say so much for Sabe's 'Youth Movement' ... again. Which makes me think it has NO LEGS and is Bore **** simply gaming MLB. With luck they won't be gamed.
bejeezus
Total Comments (11)
Who cares about the youth movement. I want wins. Everybody else on this team is young except for johnson whos a one year deal. If manny can jack out homers i will pay to see it ala barry. Im tired of seeing runner on and bunted over to second then third then squeezed home. If the dodgers want him then the giants should want him more to stick it to them. Those so cal water hording scums.
whatawegot
Walnut Creek , CA
Total Comments (6)
that would be water STEALING scums sir.
conch
Total Comments (54)
Sabean won't sign Ramirez. He's just yanking Coletti's chain to jack up the price and make the Dodgers spend more for more years. He signed the Unit to get **** in the seats for his 300th win, nothing more. This team is rebuilding- and not with Manny. Good luck in LA for 3yrs./70m. As a Giant's fan, I love it. Spend, Ned. Spend!!
jeff.dahl
Forest Ranch , CA
Total Comments (2)
Manny is a bit young for the Giants to be interested in him.
Yaz is King
Total Comments (677)
I hope they Giants would also swoop in at the last minute and get Ramirez just like the Dodgers did to the Braves.
48fan
Stockbridge , GA
Total Comments (83)
Yankee27...
Yankee fans have been creating this screen name since 2000 -- and it still hasn't become reality
LOL ~ Ahahaha
mlbrocks89
92101, CA
Total Comments (1)
a team that signs randy johnson is not 'rebuilding'
get real - the giants think they can win this year and are serious about ramirez
mrhess
Total Comments (3)
HEY-MAN,
The Mets need him more than the Giants.. Omar, will you convince Fred Wilpon to sign this guy.. That line-up would look fierce, even if you can't trade Luis Castillo.. WAKE UP, before the Giants snatch him up..
BIG ED
Total Comments (85)
the Giants are not going to sign Manny. They have two overpriced Free Agents already (Rowland and Zito), not to mention Renteria. Besides, they have a log jam in the outfield. It's just a ruse to run up the price for the Dodgers, maybe even started by Boras.
Bob Raines
Petaluma , CA
Total Comments (6)
Please, does any one take what Heyman writes seriously? He just makes this stuff up. Next he'll be telling us that Teixiera is a lock for Boston. Oops, he already did.
RobPLS
Total Comments (134)
@Zip-Zap
So an outfielder who turns 37 in May is what? OF COURSE he's a "band-aid solution" for any team not competing for the title in 1-2 years.
@mrhess
Randy Johnson is great PR...he'll be rejuvenated by a move back to the easier NL circuit...
The Giants are not a title contender with Manny...I doubt very much if he ends up there...
whocares2008a
Beverly Hills , CA
Total Comments (22)
It's hilarious that the Giants think they have a shot at winning anything next year or even if the next few years for that matter. If they get to .500 in '09, I'd consider that a dream season for them. Admittedly, the NL West is weak, they have a shot at 2nd place and maybe 85 wins if everything goes right, but IMO even if they add Manny (which they won't), I think that only puts them at par with the Dodgers. This is all a ploy to increase what the Dodgers spend, and in the end, yes, Ned Colletti will spend, he might even throw the 3 year deal out there, but who cares, the Dodgers are a lot bigger market team compared to the Gnats and they have plenty more money to spend in comparison with SF. But they also have enough youth, so all you Giant fans waiting for the "rebuild" to produce a winning team, keep waiting...because you'll be looking up to LA for at least the next few years, just like its been for most of your titleless, 50 pathetic years in SF.
BlueCrew
Artesia , CA
Total Comments (1)
They'll be talking about another kind of PED in San Fran... one love...
zzyzzx zephyr's girl
Total Comments (581)
Perfect! SF is used to moody, self absorbed, high priced outfielders. Manny would be perfect. Offer him 4 years at 85
Clef - TAFNaB
Total Comments (4231)
and SF desperately needs to address an aging infield.
Clef - TAFNaB
Total Comments (4231)
Another Boras trick to generate some interest. The Giants will go along with it to hopefully force the Dodgers into bidding against themselves. The Dodgers can come over the top of any legit bid the Giants make, and everyone knows it.
Boras has overplayed his hand, and now is trying to make nice by helping the Dodgers dump Andruw Jones's salary. This kind of thing is amusing to watch for awhile, but I wish it would be over soon, so the Dodgers can work on a starting pitcher.
mipacu56
Total Comments (37)
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