In breaking news last night, Manny Ramirez and the Los Angeles Dodgers closed in on a potential deal.  The contract looks like a two-year, $45 million that is almost finalized.  Manny’s agent, Scott Boras, is still downplaying the agreement.  Manny is supposed to fly to Los Angeles today to get his physical and meet with the brass of The Dodgers.  Look for a deal to be finished before the regular season.  Don’t get me wrong, the two-year $45 million is something that will stay in place.  Boston fans will tell you that Manny will do all he can to avoid Spring Training.  He wasn’t as bad as an Indian, then again, he wasn’t as “in demand”.  Manny Ramirez can’t stand practicing in March, plain and simple. 

Which Manny is going to show up in LA this season?  There could be the spaced-out version who forgets how to run the bases that we saw in Boston and Cleveland.  There could be the “I don’t have to push myself” version that we got a healthy dose of in Boston last season before the trade to LA.  Then there is the jump on my back while I carry us Manny, which only comes out in contract years.  I predict we will see a combination of hop on my back and spaced-out this season.  I will also predict a couple of trips to the DL.  If nothing else, baseball fans should know how lazy this talented player is.

Manny’s numbers for this upcoming season?  He will probably hit about 35 HR’s and have 100 RBI in 500 or so at-bats.  Look for his error total to be through the roof, I will guess double digits by August.  I’m not a hater of Manny Ramirez, but as someone who respects the game I can’t see giving a part-time mental case a full-time gift of $45 million in two years.

Hat tip goes to: The On Deck Circle
Extra Assist goes to: NESW Sports