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Manny is going to end up playing for the Royals.

While I admire Colletti's determination NOT to give Manny 5 years or more guaranteed, I think the Dodgers losing Kent, Nomar and Manny is entirly too much for any team to absorb in one off-season, especially in a division as weak as the N.L. West. Dunn is a defensive train-wreck, and would undoubtedly require 8th-9th inning defensive replacement in any game closer than 2 runs. Bobby Abreu is a solid .OBP guy, but his 20/20 numbers aren't going to replace Manny's 35+ HR and 120-140 RBI's. The Dodgers and Manny need each other, and I expect a 3 year/$75M comprimise coming sometime in the next week. Neither Dunn or Abreu can off-set the Dodgers losses the way Manny can. Period. In the best-case scenario, where Andruw Jones comes into Spring Training in great shape and earns back his CF job, the Dodgers still need Manny to be more than a .500 team.

They lost Penny and Lowe to FA, along with Saito, Nomar, Kent, Martinez, and Sweeney all likely gone. No team short of the Yankees can fill all of those holes in one off-season, and the Dodgers' one loss that they can't absorb is Manny.

THE SOX SHOULD GET HIM BACK ....PAPI IS NOTHING WITHOUT MANNY ....

I heard Manny is being considered as Head Coach of the NY Jets.

I bet...er..hope...the Yankees get him.

Manny can always watch next season's games with Sosa and Bonds. I'm sure BoSox fans are enjoying this.

QUOTE(#6):

Originally posted 10:25 AM ET  12.30 by Shameless Joe

Manny can always watch next season's games with Sosa and Bonds. I'm sure BoSox fans are enjoying this.

And with HD, it will seem like they are really at the games!

I'd sign Bonds before I signed Manny. Bonds will play for next to nothing.

I assume the Dodgers are trying to bluff Borass with the Dunn talk.

QUOTE(#8):

Originally posted 12:00 PM ET  12.30 by mishagothe

I'd sign Bonds before I signed Manny. Bonds will play for next to nothing. I assume the Dodgers are trying to bluff Borass with the Dunn talk.

True...they are probably using Dunn as leverage to re-sign Manny and you can get Bonds for almost nothing. Personally.....I would not sign either Manny or Bonds because they bring headaches which no team needs. Joe Torre is a great players coach but I think someone like Bonds and Ramirez are too much to handle.

I doubt they are bluffing, but they are probably biding their time, like they did with Furcal, knowing Boras will give them an opportunity to beat any offer.... Boras is like an usher at church.... he never misses anyone with the collection plate....

QUOTE(#4):

Originally posted 09:38 AM ET  12.30 by DanTheMan

I heard Manny is being considered as Head Coach of the NY Jets.

and the QB for the Pats.

Manny will play with the Dodgers. Both sides can't afford to go elsewhere. Colleti knows that Manny is loved, loved, loved in LA for the excitement and faith he re-instilled in the team in the two short months he was here last year. The young players responded amazingly well to him and he seemed to bring up everybody else's game. Manny is the final piece to the offensive puzzle the blue crew has struggled with for the past several years. Manny will be the difference between attendance dropping to 3.2m or tipping the 4m mark. Colleti and Mccourt cannot afford to let him go (unless..and this is a big unless.. they can find a suitable replacement, and frankly I just don't see anyone out there who qualifies....Bonds is a non-starter because of his negative impact on the other guys around him).
On the other hand, Manny has nowhere else to go. L.A. suits Manny to a tee...laid back, alternative lifestyles, ocean-bound, breezy attitudes. Anywhere else Manny goes he takes baggage with him. Here, the baggage is already forgotten and folks have moved on. Three years, $70m, with a no trade clause sounds about right. Manny will have a chance to go to the American League for his sunset years if he transforms himself fully here.
THere really is no other fit. Both sides know. Each is waiting for the other to blink!

The apparent lack of interest from many GMs even after Tex was signed indicates there is a real concern about Manny's behavior and potential to disrupt a team's clubhouse.
Talented but clueless, and getting old. He'll probably sign with the Dodgers eventually, because they are the only ones offering him big money, even if not for the years Boras wants.

Bobby Abreu would be a great replacement. Loosing Kent, Sweeney and Nomar really isn't loosing much. None of them would be much more than a replacement bench type players at this point anyway (except maybe Nomar if he could stay healthy.) Loosing Penny is no big deal. Loosing Lowe hurt. Saito?? I bet he comes back. 39 y.o. relievers coming of injuries aren't really burning up the free agent signings. I understand no one is really pursuing him so his options are to return home or resign with the Dodgers. Maybe they can do an option year like they did for Furcal. All in all I'd love to have Manny back but not unless he wants to be back 100%. Abreu would be a great option.

Everyone thinks this is a move to make Manny/Boras call the Dodgers and sign. But if you live in So Cal and follow the Dodgers year in and year out (family are Dodgers fans), you will know they are cheap, will cut corners/costs, put crap on the field (A.Jones, J. Schmidt, J. Pierre), bring 4 million in attendance and win the NL West with a .500 winning percentage.

Dont be surprised if they pick up Dunn and Andy Pettitte for the price of Manny to fill holes. Remember, they need a LF, #3 / #4 hitter, 2 starting pitchers and 1 middle relief pitcher. Kinda hard when you are dishing out $20+ to Manny.

Dodgers will get Dunn... Cubs will get Abreu... Rays will get Burrell... all while the Yankees lay back (like with Teixeria), and pounce on Manny for 2 years $30 and he has to take it because it is the only offer on the table.

Then trade Matsui to the Giants

Wouldn't that just be too bad if both Barry and Manny had nowhere to play?

The Dodger organization owes the fans for supporting a mediocre team the past 2 decades. It's obvious that the loyal fans want more of Mannywood so what are the McCourts waiting for? They should make Manny a serious offer now that Boras took care of Tex.

QUOTE(#17):

Originally posted 04:54 PM ET  12.30 by MrMiyagiJr

Wouldn't that just be too bad if both Barry and Manny had nowhere to play?

that is sad!!!!!!!!

QUOTE(#8):

Originally posted 12:00 PM ET  12.30 by mishagothe

I'd sign Bonds before I signed Manny. Bonds will play for next to nothing. I assume the Dodgers are trying to bluff Borass with the Dunn talk.

Not sure Bonds will play for next to nothing, but I agree. Personally, I can't stand Barry and the myriad ways he is full of himself. The Giants needed to move on, eventually, anyways. The big cloud everyone is waiting on to clear, his trial for: Steroids, Obstruction of Justice, and Perjury before a Grand Jury, may clear soon enough to get Barroid back in the game. Depends on if HE and his lawyers delay things further. This could all be behind him by now, had he only done the silly little thing all children are told, told the truth. All that said, he'd be a great pickup for many teams. He can still hit, but he won't be what he once (unnaturally) was. Window is closing, however.