Remember that whole report Snyds tossed out yesterday about the Giants chasing Manny Ramirez? Well, to quote a certain mascot beheaded college announcer, "Not so fast, my friends."
See, it turns out that the Dodgers offer, originally thought to be around $45 million for two seasons and likely too short of a deal, might actually pan out to make my good friend Man-Ram upwards of $60 million over three years.
The Dodgers' initial offer to Manny Ramirez includes a club option for a third year that could increase the value of the contract to $60 million, according to sources speaking on the condition of anonymity because they weren't authorized to discuss the matter.
The offer stands until Thursday, the final day of the Dodgers' exclusive negotiating window with Ramirez, but indications are that their pursuit of the All-Star outfielder will extend beyond then. Ramirez's agent, Scott Boras, has made it clear that the proposed deal isn't long enough.
Exactly how far owner Frank McCourt would go to re-sign Ramirez remains uncertain. One team source said McCourt is open to improving the offer by guaranteeing the third year of the contract.
BUT WAIT! THERE'S MORE! No, seriously, there is. See, you would think, at least based on the possibility of the third year being guaranteed and/or Manny getting another chance to play for a contract in two years (in addition to $7.5 million just for the hassle of becoming a free agent) that this sweetens the pot.
You would be wrong.
Because Scott Boras doesn't really think so. Although he does think Ned Colletti's offer was kind of funny.
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"Beginning Friday, I will begin, for the first time, taking serious offers," said Scott Boras, who represents Ramirez.
Though Boras declined to comment on the Dodgers' offer, it appears that he doesn't think it falls in that category.
Well, he actually probably doesn't think that. However, the Dodgers, in an attempt to lock up Manny before they lost exclusive negotiation rights, made the crucial mistake of forgetting that this is Man-Ram and he's represented by Boras.
In fact, they essentially went so far as to basically set the freaking floor for his contract once he becomes a wide open free agent, thusly guaranteeing everyone in Manny's camp more money regardless of how this plays out or where he ends up. So, yeah, maybe it is funny after all.
Dodgers Willing to Pony Up $60 Mil for Manny and Scott Boras Kind of Laughs at Them originally appeared on MLB FanHouse on Wed, 12 Nov 2008 23:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.