If you were a manager and had to pick A-Rod or Manny Ramirez for a 1-year contract, who would you take?

Question

If you hate either of these people or their teams so much that all you can do is insult them, then please don't bother answering. Any objective observer would have to agree that they are both premier offensive players. On the other hand, Ramirez is weak on defense and has a slacker reputation, while Rodriguez has not hit well in the playoffs, has been accused of being bad for team chemistry and has off-field distractions. For the purposes of argument, putting Ramirez at DH is not an option and A-Rod can play third or short. Assume it's the beginning of the season and it's a one-year contract, so Ramirez' greater age isn't a huge factor like it would be over a long contract.

Which one would you take, and what intelligent reasons do you have? ("Yankee/Sox players suck" doesn't count as intelligent)

Answer 1

Manny cuz he's more clutch and he'd prolly have a contract demanding half what arod wants

Answer 2

It comes down to one simple question: Do I expect my team to make the playoffs?  NOT "which player will take me to the playoffs?"

If I expect the playoffs, Manny in a heartbeat, for reasons known to all.  (But if I have to spell it out, A-Rod is 7, 17, .279 in 39 postseason games & Manny is 24, 64, .269 in 95 postseason games.)

If I don't expect the playoffs, A-Rod would be a nice perk for attendance figures, make the front office happy, and everyone gets a few more bucks regardless of playoffs.

(ATL for life, don't care for either Boston or NYY)

Answer 3

Manny because A-rod is a jock. He is full of himself and is hated throughout the MLB. Manny may slack off sometimes, but at the end of the day he comes through in the clutch unlike Arod. Arod cheats on his wife and goes to a strip club. I boo him so loud when I go see a Jays yanks game in toronto!

Answer 4

A-Rod he's on pace to breaking the all time home run record and he's not a big distraction like Manny with the whole "Manny being Manny" bs.

Answer 5

I'd still go with Manny. Why? He actually has rings and he comes through clutch in the play-offs. He may not be known for his defense, but he guns people out at bases a lot and has a great arm to make up for his lack of speed.

Answer 6

I would take Arod. Both players have home run power. Arod is a better base runner and could steal a base if needed. He is way better defensive player.

With Arod whatever happens off the field stays off the field. It doesn't effect his game. I would take my chances with him in the playoffs. With the numbers he puts up in the season, it will eventually happen for him in the playoffs.

Manny seams to have more problems with team mates than Arod. Alex is a way better all around player.

By the way, I'm a White Sox fan and don't care about Boston or New York.

Answer 7

Well both these plays bring a lot of baggage with their controversies and distractions, but you have to go with A-Rod. He will hit atleast 40 homers, 120 RBIs, he will score runs, steal bases. And Manny is starting to decline so you deffinatly have to go with A-Rod. Not that I wouldn't like Manny on my team because I would hes still a really good ballplayer.

Answer 8

A-rod plays everyday, Manny takes off when he doesn't feel like playing. I'd take A-rod.

Answer 9

A-Rod without a doubt.  The guy for one will bring it money because he has a bigger household name.  But on the field, he's a better defensive player with more versatility.  He's a better homerun hitter and hits for a good average with many RBIs.  Manny has some off the field problems as well with "Manny being Manny."

Answer 10

A-Rod, even though they both have their down sides

Manny is too lazy and cocky and doesn't hussle. He can hit home runs for sure but he doesn't care.

A-Rod is a real player, even though he cost a fortune and its all about the money to satisfy him.

Answer 11

I'm a Yankee fan, and I would take Manny over A-Rod. He is a better clutch performer than A-rod...and at the end of the day, along with the numbers..that's what counts

Answer 12

I would take Manny.  He has a better batting average and more RBI's.  Plus he has proven to be a better hitter in the playoffs.

Answer 13

ARod fo show cuz he is a good third baseman and btw manny is actually really lazy

Answer 14

I would take A Rod over Manny & even if Manny has 2 rings & A Rod  has 0.  Manny didn't win those rings by himself & A Rod not winning one isn't all his fault, cause last time I checked, baseball is a team sport. I also don't like Manny's attitude & tired of the whole Manny being Manny.

Answer 15

manny he is more likeable and a better player and cooler

Answer 16

Arod hands down!!

Answer 17

A-Rod he is better hitter check the numbers a better feilder and on top of it all positive attitude

Answer 18

A-Rod b/c his attitude doesn't drive me absolutely crazy.

Answer 19

It's a really tough choice for the exact reasons you stated. But in the end, I would probably take A-Rod. Hits for good power like Manny but usually hits for a higher average. Plays better defense than Manny in my opinion. And after about 2 months, I would get sick of "Manny being Manny".

This has nothing to do with personal feeling towards these players though, I hate A-Rod much more than Manny.

Answer 20

tough call, but because a-rod is still puting up great numbers and is still very young, i would rather have him.

Answer 21

arod no dispute

Answer 22

i would take a-rod, for sure

first of all, you say a-rod is distracting, isn't manny? he causes at least one problem for the red sox every year, and he obviously doesn't hustle when he doesn't feel like it...second, i think a-rod is an overall better hitter, not to take anything away from manny because he is a great hitter obviously, but a-rod is more consistent and as you point out, he is also much less of a defensive liability

Answer 23

well i'm a yankee fan but i like manny ramirez as well with rodriguez.

and this is a good question and would require some thought.

rodriguez blows it in the clutch, and has been in the media lately for his infidelity, while manny sometimes says the wrong things to the media that attracts controversy and problems.

they both have tremendous power, but a-rod has more home runs despite being two years younger and making his MLB debut one year later.

The only good offensive statistic that A-Rod definately has over Manny is stolen bases and his overall speed.

Ramirez is 3 years older than Rodriguez but like you said it's a one year contract so it's not a huge factor but it's still something to consider.

The only thing i can come up with is that Manny is a better clutch hitter.

I would choose Alex Rodriguez and maybe it is because i am a yankee fan but i think even though rodriguez isn't a clutch hitter, he can score you runs early in the game  so it can help you later when you need your other players to score runs.

but if i could i'd have both of them on my team lol that'd be a kickass team