Manny Ramirez is hugely important both to the success and the revenue for the Dodgers after the incredible impact he brought from Boston last year. The numbers are staggering to say the least, and the fans of Los Angeles love him like one of their own. In only 53 games, Manny batted .396 while hitting a staggering 17 home runs, and 53 RBIs over that short run that propelled the Dodgers to the NLCS. Also, Manny’s on base percentage was a rediculous .489 during those games. The numbers only tell part of the story, however.

While certainly Manny Ramirez was a huge boost to the offense for the Dodgers, the excitement about the team went through the roof. The Manny dreadlocks flew off the shelves, as well as the Manny jerseys in Dodger blue. That is not something that happens every day, especially with a player that is considered to be a problem at times. Manny came to Los Angeles and was the model ballplayer. Then the offseason began.

You had to know that Manny was going to make the Dodgers sweat a little bit. He wanted the maximum payout, and the best conditions for his contract and who could blame him? Not only did Manny get the best deal he could have, but he ended up where he belonged in the end. The Dodgers are surely glad, and from all appearances, so is Manny Ramirez.

When next offseason comes calling and Manny Ramirez is once again “testing” the free agent market, do not be surprised if the Yankees come calling. They are known for grabbing superstars for huge contracts in the twilight of their careers. Especially one like Manny. You know. Former Boston player, home run hitter, popular among the fans, and really, really expensive. It is something that the Dodger fans would be wise to consider, so that they can enjoy Manny for the year that they have him.

Hopefully, he will help them win that elusive World Series Title…Then the payday would really be great.

While certainly one can understand the business side of this issue for both, this does seem to be splitting apples and oranges here. The Dodgers are likely trying to spread out the money to make room for other players, signings, and potential business ventures. Manny wants to make sure their are no complications in two years when he wants to try to make another splash with yet another team. Manny should absolutely take this deal, as he is not likely to get a better one on the market. Most teams can not afford 45 million over two years for him. Surely he knows this, and the Dodgers do as well.

The simple compromise might be found in the details. The Dodgers could offer Ramirez some interest but with the terms still deferred over time. That seems fair to both sides but it is likely Ramirez would still nix the deal. The issue with Ramirez I believe is that he wants to be free and clear after the two year period. With lingering money being owed, it could hamper his plans for after that year. Ramirez likes to operate from a position of power. No better example of this can be found than right now.

Every single time the Dodgers put an offer on the table to Ramirez, he balks at something. I am beginning to wonder if he even wants to sign with the Dodgers. There is always that possibility that he is holding out hope for some huge deal. Maybe he is avoiding signing to get out of spring training. This scenario is very unlikely because Manny has always been a hard working player. The workings of Manny and agent Scott Boras are a mystery to everyone involved. The fact that Manny put the offer on the table back to the Dodgers for the same amount without the deferred money pretty much shows that he is trying a power play. The Dodgers would be crippling themselves potentially by committing those types of funds to one player in such a short period of time. They need flexible terms, and Manny is not exactly flexible.

Here is a thought. Just send him to the Yankees and move on. They can certainly afford him, and he would fit right in.

Long believed to be headed to Boston, Teixeira surprised baseball by accepting an eight-year, $180 million contract offer from the Yankees. According to reports, his other offers were $168 million over eight years from Boston and $200 million over ten years from Washington. Once the negotiations were through, agent Scott Boras told reporters that New York was where Big Tex wanted to be all along.

While that is debatable, the Yankees have definitely improved their offense as well as their defense at first base. Teixeira regular posts an on-base-plus-slugging average well over .900 and provides gold-glove defense at first. The contract itself might have been overpriced, but the Bombers certainly needed another slugger to pair with Alex Rodriguez. Bobby Abreu and Jason Giambi have left and Derek Jeter is firmly in the declining phase of his career. Johnny Damon and Robinson Cano are good players, but not middle-of-the-order bats. Mark Teixeira is and he will fit nicely in the third spot in the order ahead of A-Rod.

With the Yankees committing huge money over the winter, several owners have come out for renewed calls for a salary cap. In theory, a cap has merit. In practice, it’s unlikely to ever happen in MLB. A more realistic possibility is lowering the luxury tax threshold and increasing the luxury tax itself. Both measures would essentially force the Yankees to pay the poorest teams more in return for their annual indulgences. There’s no doubt the threshold is too high and the penalty to modest because the Yankees have no qualms about paying the luxury tax and surpassing the limit. The only way to curb their spending is to increase the tax. Even that guarantees nothing, as the Steinbrenners will probably continue to spend whatever they want to.

The other talking point is how the Teixeira signing impacts the AL East standings. That is less clear. As we know, the Red Sox and Rays both finished ahead of the Yankees last season and both return strong teams in 2009. Signing Big Tex guarantees the Yankees nothing. They are an improved team, but in a division that strong, they are not assured of a playoff spot.

Last week, in a bout of frustration, Ramirez said he might retire if a suitable offer didn’t come in. He later retracted the comments, but he nevertheless expressed how frustrated he is by the process.

Two things are working against Ramirez: his reputation and the struggling economy.

Ramirez is one of the best hitters in the last 50 years and a future Hall of Famer. But he’s a prima dona who eventually creates drama in and out of the clubhouse. One potential match for his services, the New York Mets, was reportedly scared off by his behavior with the Red Sox last summer. Officials with the Mets said last week that they liked Manny but didn’t think he’d mesh well with their team.

Meanwhile the nationally economy is forcing teams to be more selective with their high-priced free agent signings. In short, they are offering shorter contracts so as not to tie their payroll down with a longer commitment. It’s not that teams like the Angels and Dodgers don’t like Ramirez, but they aren’t willing to give him a long-term contract.

This week, rumblings out of New York suggested that the Yankees may make a pitch for Ramirez. This is agent Scott Boras’ dream scenario, because then he could play the Yankees’ interest off against the Dodgers and Angels. It’s difficult to know if the Yankees are serious in their pursuit. They have already spent $240 million this winter and even the mighty Yankees don’t have a limitless budget.

Over the next couple weeks, look for the Manny market to heat up. The Dodgers and Yankees will at least make or improve their offers. If the Angels, as expected, lose Mark Teixeira, they will make a bid as well. Look for an unexpected team, like the Mets or Marlins to throw a line in the water too.

Clubhouse concerns aside, this is a special hitter that completely changes the dynamic of a lineup. In the end, look for one team to give Ramirez his fourth year and ink the slugger through 2012. In fact, we wouldn’t be surprised to see a bidding war develop between the Dodgers, Angels, Yankees and Mets. Where will he end up? As is the case with all Boras clients – whoever writes the biggest check.

A lack of offense has been the Achilles heel of the Angels for several years now with no one able to protect the potent bat of Vlad Guerrero. Teixeira filled the role beautifully and provided excellent defense at first base. One would think a team with the resources of the Angels would have gone to the extreme to ensure that Teixeira stayed with them. Nevertheless, they failed to improve their initial $160 million offer and, on Saturday, the Angels informed the media that they pulled their offer. Reportedly, Angels owner Arte Moreno felt that Tex’s agent, Scott Boras, was using the Angels to drive up the price. Moreno contends that Tex never had any intention of signing with L.A.

Now what?

Rumors abound that the Angels are actively searching for a new bat. Names associated with the team include Paul Konerko, Joey Votto, Jermaine Dye, Garrett Atkins and free agents Pat Burrell, Bobby Abreu and Adam Dunn.

Each trade would cost young pitching, a commodity teams are always hesitant to part with. A top target for potential trade partners would be righthander Nick Adenhart. Trading Adenhart for a declining slugger like Dye or Konerko would be incredibly shortsighted. In fact, the Angels should abandon any trade thoughts and look at the available free agents.

The market for Adam Dunn is as low as it’s ever been. Dunn averages 40 homers and 100 runs batted in a year. He regularly posts on-base percentages over 385. The knock on Dunn is that he strikes out between 180 and 200 times a year. In addition, many in the industry believed Jays general manager J.P. Riciardi’s rant last summer claiming that Dunn was a lazy player who hated baseball. These factors have combined to drive the market for Dunn’s services well below the expected level.

The Angels should offer Dunn a modest three-year deal for about $33 million and bat him behind Vlad Guerrero. Defensively, the Halos can put Dunn at first base and fill the void left by Teixeira.

The loss of Big Tex hurts, but the Angels can keep their offense afloat by deftly moving to sign Adam Dunn. Otherwise, they are looking at another year of sub-par offensive production. With improving teams in Oakland and Texas, that’s not an appealing option.

Sabathia, a 6’7” lefthander, gives the Bronx Bombers the ace they’ve been looking for. The Yankees sealed the deal by increasing their offer to $161 million over seven years and adding an opt-out clause after the third year. That provides Sabathia with a chance to leave if things don’t work out in New York and, more likely, a chance to extend the deal for more money in 2012.

Meanwhile, the Mets, owners of one of the major’s worst bullpens in 2008, added free agent closer Francisco “K-Rod” Rodriguez. The Amazins inked Rodriguez to a three-year deal worth about $37 million with a vesting option for a fourth year. Mets GM Omar Minaya didn’t stop there. On Wednesday, he traded Aaron Heilman, Joe Smith, Endy Chavez and three prospects in a three-team deal for Seattle Mariners closer J.J. Putz. Putz and Rodriguez give the Mets a lethal back end of the bullpen.

Some of the more notable names that didn’t sign include sluggers Mark Teixeira and Manny Ramirez and pitchers Derek Lowe and A.J. Burnett.

The market for Ramirez is remarkably low. The Dodgers, his former team, don’t seem inclined to offer any more than the two-year deal they have on the table. Ramirez is seeking at least four years and preferably five. Latest word is that the Los Angeles Angels may make a two-year offer worth about $50 million if they lose Teixeira.

Teixeira, on the other hand, has several suitors. The Washington Nationals have reportedly offered $180 million over eight years while the Baltimore Orioles and Angels have offered lucrative five-year contracts. Still, most experts believe “Big Tex” is heading for Fenway Park and the Boston Red Sox. No word on a firm offer from Boston is available, but the team has been in contact with Teixeira’s agent, Scott Boras.

AJ Burnett, a hard-throwing but often injured righthander, has offers on the table from the Yankees and the Atlanta Braves. Both deals are for five years and around $85 million. Look for Burnett to be signed to a deal in the next couple days, with the Yankees as the frontrunner.

Lowe has now become the hottest commodity among pitchers with at least five teams – including the Yankees, Red Sox, Mets, Phillies and Braves – looking into signing him. Lowe is known for his durability and excellent sinking fastball.

Other free agents on the market include Adam Dunn, Raul Ibanez, Randy Wolf and Rafael Furcal.

Dunn, who averages 40 home runs and 180 strikeouts a year, has drawn interest from just a couple teams. Many believe the Washington Nationals will make a strong push to add the slugger to their roster.

Furcal has several teams vying for his services, including the Oakland A’s, Kansas City Royals and Atlanta Braves.

Ibanez has been linked the Mets, Phillies and Angels, while Wolf has yet to receive any firm offers.

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