ANA POINT, Calif. – The Dodgers badly want Manny to be Manny for them into the future. So much so that they are willing to make him the second-highest paid player in the majors behind Alex Rodriguez.
Los Angeles GM Ned Colletti confirmed that Manny Ramirez was offered a contract that would pay him less than the $27.5 million annually that Rodriguez averages and more than the $22.92 million annually that Johan Santana averages.
Colletti would not divulge the length of the deal. Earlier this offseason, Dodgers officials said the organization was planning a two-year package with an option year. The probability is that the deal was for about $25 million annually.
Nevertheless, Ramirez’s agent, Scott Boras, rejected the deal. Boras told The Post in mid-October he will seek a contract that would pay Ramirez until he was 42, which would be a six-year deal. There remains a strong possibility that the Dodgers and Ramirez will find a middle ground. But Boras – as is his history – will first take his client into the open market and see what clubs are willing to pay.
“I think it (this process) does take time,” Colletti said.
Mets and Yankees officials have said they will discuss Ramirez, but that the asking price – both in annual value and requested length – is not acceptable to them.
When asked about Ramirez yesterday, Mets GM Omar Minaya said the club’s available dollars will be mostly invested in pitching not an offensive player such as Manny. Yankees GM Brian Cashman had dinner last night with Boras, but among his clients the Yanks are targeting Derek Lowe and Mark Teixeira mainly, with Oliver Perez and Ramirez more secondary matters, at best.
Ramirez’s July 31 acquisition by the Dodgers launched them to an NL West title, and his 53 RBIs in 53 games instantly made him the most popular player of Dodgers fans.
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The Yanks plan on being in on the Teixeira sweepstakes. But they also are lining up alternatives for first base just in case the price is too steep.
They have had mild conversations with the White Sox about switch-hitter Nick Swisher, who despite a poor season in 2008 is a player with upside. He is still young (27) and is a hitter who combines patience and power. He also has a reasonable contract (three years at $22.05 million left) and can play the outfield, as well. But for all of those reasons, Chicago is more interested in retaining him and moving a veteran from among Jermaine Dye, Paul Konerko and Jim Thome.
The Mets have prioritized a closer over a starter as their top need, and plan to pursue free agents such as Francisco Rodriguez, Brian Fuentes and Kerry Wood. But they also talked to Seattle officials about J.J. Putz, and left unsure if the Mariners are ready to move veteran pieces or try to win in 2009. .Ñ.Ñ. Cashman said there are scenarios in which he could have both Andy Pettitte and Mike Mussina (if he wants to continue pitching) return to the rotation in 2009. He said he did want to re-sign Pettitte. .Ñ.Ñ. The Dodgers want to limit free agent Rafael Furcal to a two-year contract to stay, but his agent Paul Kinzer said the shortstop wants at least four and has eight interested teams already. The Royals, in particular, are expected to be very aggressive.
Larry Reynolds, the agent for Chad Cordero, said his client is ahead of schedule rehabbing from shoulder surgery and should be ready for spring training. Minaya drafted Cordero in the first round when he was Montreal’s GM and quickly installed him as the closer. So he likes the player and could have interest for the Mets, though that would not be until much later in the offseason when Cordero can prove health by throwing for teams.
Angels GM Tony Reagins said it was “unlikely” that his team would sign CC Sabathia and Teixeira even if the players were amenable. .Ñ.Ñ. Padres CEO Sandy Alderson said despite his organization’s austerity kick it will almost certainly pick up Brian Giles’ $9 million option, and because he has 10-and-5 no-trade rights, that probably means the outfielder stays put in San Diego – at least for now.