MANNY IS BACK

I am not sure it is the best thing for the A's... unless they are just looking at the "return on investment" -- 500K for a minor league deal. But he will turn 40 the day before he is eligible for his first game this season. Will the guy sell tickets, sure. But the A's have always prided themselves as a small club that builds from within, and i am not sure Ramirez will be a good fit for the locker room or the dugout regardless of his age. Just may not be the kind of hype a small town club wants.

Speaking of Ramirez strictly as a ballplayer, I do not think he has enough left in him to make a huge impact. His numbers were declining just before he threw in the towel last year.

I say he lasts about a month. He won't produce enough for the A's to deal with Manny being Manny.

Unbelieveable. Good roll of the dice for the A's, possibly they can catch lightning in a bottle for a few months. They have to do something to make up for the that awful business decision to sign Cepedes for 4yr $36M. Didn't Billy Beane see Moneyball?

Somehow, someway the A's will trade Manny to the Orioles for a profit or a high draft pick. Show something shiny or squeeky to Peter Angelos, and he loses his mind (again).

Let's see: bad attitude, PED user, bad attitude, declining skills, bad attitude, bad attitude.

Bad move.

And don't the A's already have like 19 guys that can play outfield or DH?

But sure can hit, get on base, and drive runs in.
After 50 game, will step in as the A's clean up hitter.

I was listening to MLB radio over the weekend. Forget who was talking, either an ex player or ex GM. Maybe Duquette. He said that Manny is very good with young players. Giving hitting info and just talking baseball with them. Also he works on his hitting a lot which also sets an example for the younger players.

In the grand scheme of MLB, even for the A's, a half a million dollars isn't a lot of money to gamble on anyone.

Exactly right, half a million is barely above the minimum, so this is a cheap roll of the dice. The A's can release him if there are any problems and if he's hot for the first month or so(after his suspension of course) can perhaps trade him to a contender for some young talent although I doubt Manny has much value even with a good start.

quote:

Originally posted by fillsfan:
I was listening to MLB radio over the weekend. Forget who was talking, either an ex player or ex GM. Maybe Duquette. He said that Manny is very good with young players. Giving hitting info and just talking baseball with them. Also he works on his hitting a lot which also sets an example for the younger players.

In the grand scheme of MLB, even for the A's, a half a million dollars isn't a lot of money to gamble on anyone.

Manny is a 40 year old kid, who likes to associate with the younger generation. You can find him often hanging out at the clubs that those 20-30 olds go to in downtown Ft. Lauderdale. My son used to run into him on occassion and the talk was always about baseball, nothing else.

So I do believe that what fillsfan has posted to be true, his value to them is more than just a clean up hitter, and most likely expected to do a lot of talking about NOT how to conduct yourself.

quote:

Originally posted by fillsfan:
I was listening to MLB radio over the weekend. Forget who was talking, either an ex player or ex GM. Maybe Duquette. He said that Manny is very good with young players. Giving hitting info and just talking baseball with them. Also he works on his hitting a lot which also sets an example for the younger players.

In the grand scheme of MLB, even for the A's, a half a million dollars isn't a lot of money to gamble on anyone.

If I'm correct this isn't a gamble at all in that the 500k is guaranteed ONLY if he makes the MLB squad. This is a minor league deal!

TR Hit,

Since you started the thread, what is your opinion?

All I know is that steroids or not the guy can hit better than a lot of players making $500,000.

I think Manny and the Cespedes deals are a very good gamble for a team that doesn't have a great big pile of cash.

Manny will only get a portion of the $500k for part of a season. So what if he hits well and helps the A's in the second half of the season... if not it's only about $350k and maybe not pay him all of that.

Cespedes.... if it was a sure thing the A's could not afford him. But there is a chance they will get a huge impact bat at still a deal at today's prices.

Can Mo Vaughn be far behind Manny? Maybe the Orioles will reactivate Albert Belle.

MARK B----I am one of mannys biggest fans but I THthink he is over he hill---done---great deal forOakland at yhe price how canthey go wrong?

TR Hit,

I am surprised that Manny being Manny signed for $500,000 as that used to be a sum he made every two weeks in the past. He can never spend all the money he has already made anyways, but I guess he just wants to play. Hard for this to be a bad deal for Oakland.

quote:

Originally posted by TRhit:
----I am one of mannys biggest fans

Why do you like him so much?

Here's how it's being played around here. The A's are trying to move to San Jose and get a new ballpark. What's being said is the two moves are to try and tell the Oakland fans the they are trying to get better but no one is coming to the park. San Jose is a big money area with all the high tech millionaires. The problem is the Giants own that territory and refuse to give it up that's also where the Giants single A team is located. This battle has been going on for over a year.

The A's have tried to move to Fremont and Hayward but both cities refused to pay for a ballpark for them. Now they are shooting for San Jose (Santa Clara) which just started to break ground for the new 49er's complex.

TPM


when your son ran into manny did he have his brazilian wife and the kids with him ?

Dad04: nice one with the Joey belle line... Hahahaha

antzdad----first of all he is one of the best hitters to play the game, his hs coach worked on our staff for a few years and he is a colorful character---baseball needs colorful characters

Yes, he seems to be all of that, by most accounts. You don't mind the steroid stuff? (just asking)

the steroid stuff is not unique to many---he just got caught

..and then got caught again. And then quit the league to avoid penalty. And then was arrested for domestic battery - hitting his wife in the face.

Quote from his manager Terry Francona - "Manny Ramirez is the worst human being I've ever met".

Yup, pretty colorful.

Yes, he has been one of the best hitters. Yes, the aquisition may pay off financially for the A's. Being a Tribe fan, I used to be a reluctant fan - didn't care for the lazy OF efforts, loved the offensive production. I can see where players can get caught up in the steroid thing. I definitely can't see past the wife swat.

and ty cobb and baberuth were great citizens off the field

quote:

Originally posted by TRhit:
TPM


when your son ran into manny did he have his brazilian wife and the kids with him ?

No they were not, he was checking out the local nightclub scene.

True TRhit, didn't Cobb shoot and kill his Father?

Wow where did you get that from? His mother shot his father while Cobb was playing in his first season. Cobb adored his father.