Baltimore Orioles looking to sign deal with Manny Ramirez – MLB News
According to a leading sports website, Baltimore Orioles are having exploratory talks with free agent slugger Manny Ramirez. The player has a unique record of hitting 28 home-runs in the post-season. He is also one of the only 25 players to hit 500 career home-runs.
It will not be wrong to say that he is one of the greats of the game. While playing for Tampa Bay Rays in 2011, Ramirez violated the drug policy as he was found guilty of using hCG. Following that incident, Ramirez took retirement from the game.
However, during the 2011 offseason, the right handed striker asked for reinstatement from Major League Baseball and he was reinstated on December 10. If Ramirez signs a deal with any MLB team, he will have to serve a 50 game ban.
Right after acquiring pitchers Jason Hammel and Matt Lindstrom for starter Jeremy Guthrie in a trade with Colorado Rockies, executive vice president of baseball operations Dan Duquette confirmed that the Orioles are interested in signing a short team contract with Ramirez and that they had been watching him work out for the last few months.
"We are still considering the composition of this club, and some of the challenges of integrating a player like Manny into our ballclub and market," said Duquette, who as general manager of the Red Sox signed Ramirez to an eight-year, $160 million contract in December 2000.
While Manny might cost a little bit less than other available DH options, he will come into MLB with serious concerns. He will bring huge media attention and his behaviour with his team-mates is also something the team management will be concerned about. Although there are other DH options in the market such as Johnny Damon, manager Buck Showalter will be looking to take a gamble on Ramirez.
At the age of 39, Ramirez will hardly be able to play MLB for next two to three years. However, if he can live to his immense potential, Orioles will get a huge return on their investment.
Ramirez has a point to prove in the upcoming season. He wants to show the baseball world that his success in past wasn’t merely due to drugs. Other teams such Oakland Athletics and Toronto Blue Jays have also shown interest in signing the right handed hitter.
If an MLB team decides to pick Ramirez as a designated hitter, considering the 50-game suspension, they will have to send him to the Minor League first. Ramirez will be hoping to seal a contract with the Orioles to win back the trust of his fans. It will be a huge challenge for him to face some of the best pitchers in the game.
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