Late Innings

Attention Late Innings readers! We have breaking news regarding MannyBManny:

Ramirez, Dodgers closer, but deal still not imminent

Now, going from what I read from Rich Lederer about Boras and his clients, he uses Jon Heyman as his means for communication, or as he put it, his personal “mouthpiece.” Granted the free agent market has “moved” slightly in the past few days, if you count the deals for Orlando Hudson and Joe Crede as blockbusters. Still movement is movement, and Boras is simply using his advertising arm (e.g. Heyman) to drum up support for his (currently largest) unsigned client.

Seriously. Let’s translate this “breaking” story:

Dodgers have done some compromising in recent days, according to people familiar with the negotiations, as the two sides seem to now understand that they aren’t going to get exactly what they want in a potential deal.

In other words the two parties probably haven’t met. Boras gave Heyman a call and told him to get his ass to work; Manny is seeing reality and is scared. Moving on:

But as to whether the Dodgers ultimately get Ramirez, well, that remains uncertain, even now as spring has sprung.

It’s all but certain that the Dodgers will get Manny. We’re the audience here Heyman, and there’s a bad case of dramatic irony heading our way…

Ramirez has to understand by now he isn’t getting a four-year deal (nor certainly five or six), and the Dodgers probably know that their offers of $45 million over two years or $25 million over one year aren’t going to get it done, either.

Translation. Boras saw that he could only get 2MM for Crede when he was hoping to get 7MM. He saw that Garrett Anderson only got 2.5MM. He’s not stupid, he read the writing on the wall. The market for a bad fielding corner outfielder is dry, especially with Jim Edmonds still on it. Boras is simply rattling the saber here. He knows that no other team will pony up 25MM for Boras, but he’s still trying to remain on the offensive with the Dodgers.

There are indications the sides may be slightly closer. But that doesn’t mean they are close.

We are still where we were back when the Dodgers made their 25MM one year offer. Boras is clearly struck with a case of temerity here.

As recently as a few days ago, Dodgers owner Frank McCourt, perhaps in a fit of frustration, was said to be telling friends he just might fly to Pensacola, Fla. to confront the Man-child himself.

Most baseball people believe a Dodgers deal will eventually get done for Ramirez. But both sides appear fairly firm in their beliefs.

As I stated earlier, it will happen, but when…

The Giants are the only other team known to be in the bidding, and perhaps discouraged after being ripped for giving Edgar Renteria $18.5 million over two years, they’ve stated many times that they aren’t up for a bidding war. Even so, their presence may provide Ramirez the resolve he needs to hang tough.

Translation: there goes the “competition"… oh shit! Panic time yet?

The Dodgers, who always prefer short-term deals anyway, say they are willing to make Ramirez the second- or third-highest paid player in the game despite a dreadful economy. But so far they seem to be stubborn about sticking to a deal of one or two years. Ramirez can counter by pointing out that he saved the team last year by reinvigorating the franchise, hitting a ton (.396 with 53 RBIs in 53 games, and an outrageous .520 in October) and leading them into the NLCS after coming to a .500 team. He knows the Dodgers aren’t the same without him. But is that enough leverage?

Turn to Stats 3:16 … another reading from the Book of Manny, as written by Boras (publisher Simon Schuster.) This is when Ned Colletti should offer him a one year, 15MM deal to put Boras in his place. Again, it’ll be the best offer on the table.

The market has been dreadful, especially of late. And since Oliver Perez signed with the Mets for $36 million over three years, none of the stars to sign has even broken the $10 million per year barrier. Excellent players such as Bobby Abreu and Orlando Hudson signed for $5 million and $3.38 million guaranteed.

Translation, Boras is losing sleep big time, and he ran out of Tylenol PM. He saw that the market is correcting itself, and Manny’s number is about to be called.

However, Ramirez’s case is somewhat different in that he affects the team on the field and at the gate (though owners will dispute the claim that he pays for himself, especially if he’s making north of $20 million). It’s true he needs a job. But, as one competing executive pointed out, “They need him, too.'’ Ramirez is a prideful and patient guy, not to mention a fellow who doesn’t especially treasure spring training.

Boras in other words is starting to get desperate. The Dodgers “need” Manny…

The negotiations, already difficult thanks to the determination of Ramirez and agent Scott Boras, a down economy and an owner who isn’t exactly flush with cash, also have the hurdle of the recent history between McCourt and Boras. Their latest dealings include at least three tough outcomes in fairly high-profile cases: the failure to sign top draft choice Luke Hochevar, the opt-out decision by outfielder J.D. Drew and the free-agent signing of Andruw Jones, an unmitigated $36.2 million disaster from Day 1 due to Jones’ bad shape and underperformance.

The mouthpiece throws up a little reverse psych in an attempt to shake up Colletti. Highlighting bad deals to show the brilliance of giving Manny a monster deal? Don’t do it! Stay strong Ned! Never give in! Never give up! Remain steadfast homeboy!

However, Boras and the Dodgers have gotten past that history to make two deals this winter, one a minor-league deal for veteran pitcher Jeff Weaver, the other an unusual separation agreement for Jones. So any belief that the hard feelings will prevent a deal is unfounded.

Here’s a look at some of the other better remaining free agents …

blah blah blah. The mouthpiece goes on to prattle through some other remaining free agents available, mainly to show that it’s slim pickins’ after Manny.

***

Heyman is trying to sell Manny with the same manner as George W. Bush sold the bailout, and Barack Obama sold the stimulus. That is we need to move fast and get THIS THING DONE! AND GET IT DONE NOW!

If I was Ned Colletti, I’d just sit back and laugh and wait it out, until Manny and Boras come begging to your door for that 25MM offer. They have no other offers, there are no “mystery teams” here. It’s down to the Dodgers and Manny. The ball is in the Dodgers’ court, and they have all the time in the world. Manny will agree to them on their terms.

This case is the 2009 equivalent of the Kyle Lohse situation, where he held out until the end of the 2008 Spring Training, signing a one year deal out of desperation with the Cardinals. Manny will sign, it’ll be in March and it’ll be with the Dodgers. Period. We know how this thing will end. There’s no need to rush through things. The only thing on a collision course after all of this is Jon Heyman’s journalism.