Maybe Jerry Manuel jump-started the market for Manny Ramirez.
Monday, Manuel said the thought of managing Ramirez was “exciting.” Later that night, Scott Boras announced that interest in the right-handed slugger was finally heating up.
“We are negotiating with several teams,” Boras told Dodgers.com Monday night. “The process has begun and we’ll see where it takes us.”
Most Mets fans are hopeful they are one of those involved in those talks, though GM Omar Minaya has said the team has not discussed signing the controversial left fielder.
The Dodgers have shown the most interest in Ramirez, making then withdrawing a two-year, $45 million offer earlier in the offseason. And Boras said he has remained in touch with Dodgers GM Ned Colletti.
The Giants are the other team that has expressed interest in Ramirez.
This doesn’t necessarily mean anything for the Mets. There could be several teams interested in Ramirez that aren’t from Queens, or this could be an attempt by Boras to drum up interest in his client with the start of the season two months away.
“Manny is good. He’s a professional and he understands,” Boras said when asked if his client was concerned about the lack of interest he has received during the free-agent signing period.
Mets fans have been clamoring for the team to sign Ramirez, and yesterday Manuel said he would like to manage Ramirez.
“I don’t have a problem with people that produce in the form and fashion that Manny Ramirez produces,” Manuel said on SNY. “We shouldn’t spend that much time in the locker room anyway.
“Our job is to be on the field, and Manny Ramirez has proven that he is probably one of the best right-handed hitters of our generation. To have a shot at managing him would be exciting for me. I’ve had Albert Belle, Frank Thomas, tremendous right-handed hitters. I would love to have the opportunity to watch Manny hit every day.”
Manuel today told MLB.com, “It’s rare that you get that type of talent. Would you like to add that? Yeah. Would you like to add something else? Yeah. But hey, we have to deal with what we have.”
Last week, Mets chief operating officer Jeff Wilpon said Minaya is not interested in Ramirez.
“I know the perception out there again is that ownership said no,” Wilpon told Bloomberg News. “I don’t have the opportunity to say no because Omar hasn’t brought it to me as an option.”
With Dodgers.com