Read this.

"Ken Gurnick of MLB.com wrote yesterday that while on the surface it seems like an easy decision, Manny Ramirez could opt out of the final year of his two-year deal and attempt to better the guaranteed $20 million he is set to make with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2010.

Gurnick also noted that Ramirez has told his Dodgers teammates that he should be a designated hitter, which may be a sign that he's at least considering a career in the American League.

This opens up at least three possibilities, including the New York Yankees, Los Angeles Angels and Baltimore Orioles, all of whom are expected to seek a DH this winter."

Obviously Manny's better days are behind him from bat speed to fielding. If he does opt out, the Manny lovers out there should see this as a blessing in disguise.

No one will pay Manny $20 mil to be a DH. The Dodgers are stuck, unless the blue is willing to pay part of his salary somewhere.

Boy

Thats just about the worst year a player can have whose name isn't Andruw Jones. It probably wasnt very much fun for Manny this year, and I think it showed. There's an even chance Manny will bounce back next year.

IMO it would be best for LA if he did opt out. Free up 20Mil being paid to a 290 hitter who obviously has lost a lot of power and can be better spent somewhere else. at 37 I doubt we'll see the same player we offered 20 mill to two years ago either.
I beleive there will be a lot of younger more productive talent available from teams who don't want to or can't afford to pay high salary players not yet becoming free agents so Ned might be able to earn his extension through the trade route- Carl Crawford comes to mind as a great replacement for Manny-while not FA ready he may be too costly to keep.
Looking at the two teams in the WS look at what they have in common- at least 3 players with 30 HR power, at least 1 great Ace and a 1b Ace as starters-great defense and a great closer (Lidge can be iffy and that might be why they trail NY)

The Yankees passed on manny before and they will again. There is no market for Manny.

I'll only believe it when I see it. I'm already resigned to having that freak as a Dodger for one final season.

Of the team you mentioned though I think the Orioles might be a fit. They need some sort draw at the gate. Since their team his horrible, they might as well bring the circus to town.

Ramirez just doesn't fit into the Angels way of doing things, and I think the Yankees will bring back Johnny Damon to play left. Win, or lose, I don't see NY spending an abundant amount of money this offseason since AFraud and Tex are now the cornerstones of their offense. They'll just bring in smaller pieces like Swisher/Damon types.

Unless Manny had an off year, I would suggest go to the AL to be a designated hitter for minimum wage. Manny was no force or significance to the 2009 Dodger team, and it would seem Manny's days are over.

I'm confident that Manny will not opt out of his contract. It almost sounds like he wants to be traded to an American League team instead of opting out and trying to negotiate a contract again. Manny won't be getting $20M anywhere else so expect him back with the Dodgers next year.

Maybe the Dodgers should offer to buy Manny out for roughly half the contract price. Or, in a trade, they may be able to pay half the salary and get something worthwhile in return.

True, if you bought him out for half of his salary and he became a free agent I think someone in the AL would offer the freak 10 mill next season. Then perhaps he could get an additional year on the contract to DH/OF in 2011 as well. So he gets a bit of security.

Otherwise you could get him to waive his no trade clause and move him after he picks up his option. You'd still end up eating half of the contract though and would probably get nothing in return.

Unfortunately though I think we're going to have to suffer with Mr. Ego in 2010.

I think you are categorically correct on all fronts.

I don't see Manny anywhere but with the Dodgers next year unless he's really willing to gamble on getting $20M...

I think we're going to have to make the best of the situation and hope for some kind of bounce back from his mediocre showing this year.

As far as buying out his contract, I've got to say it's getting kind of tiresome paying player NOT to play for the Dodgers.

Not a big Manny supporter since the PED, thing but I have the feeling he will play well for us next year as he will be playing for a DH contract in 2011-Hoss

I highly doubt Manny will opt of his contract with us next year. The market for the kind of money/contract he wants to go to the AL as a DH after what happened this year is slim to none. However, I dont see that as a bad thing for us. IMHO many of you guys are underestimating what he may do for next year.

After a late start to ST, the PEDs scandal & 50 game suspension, an average season and no post season heroics, Manny NEEDS a big rebound year so he can get the big money, multi year contract in the AL.I agree his age and lack of PEDs will slow him down somewhat. But dont forget Manny has a work ethic that is comparable to Jerry Rice, HR goals and most of all PRIDE. He knows after this season he needs to PROVE himself again with a strong 2010 season to insure he gets what will likely be his LAST long term big contract in the AL as a DH.

In other words we will have one baseballs greatest right hand batters highly motivated (for a variety of reasons) for one more season.

I think the only thing that would make Manny opt out of his contract is if Boras gets greedy - and delusional enough to think that they could get more elswhere. I just do not see this happening.

It is possible that the incentive of securing a contract for 2011 will spark a fire under Manny and make him play harder next year, but I have doubts that even this is going to change his performance much. Putting aside the whole PED issue - I think one of the most important considerations here is Manny's age. At 37 he is not the oldest player of course, but he is past the prime age, and I do not see him turning in the performance to match what he did in years past.

My guess is the Dodgers will be stuck paying $20 Million for "Manny being Manny" for another year, and will have to hope this will include a little more hitting and a little less showering during the games :)

Another reason I hope Manny stays is that with the McCourts public and messy divorce, there is no guarantee the $20 would be spend (for another big bat or pitching) at all. If they are not going to improve the team we may be very happy we at least have Manny for another season.

Exactly

Prior to the McCourts divorce announcement, my wishful thinking was that Manny would opt out of at years end as this would free up $20 million to go after Matt Holladay. However now I am in agreement with you. Even if Manny were to leave I am not very confident that the Dodgers would be able to go out and spend money on a FA due to the McCourt situation. This is going to be an interesting off season to see how contracts are handled.