January: The Month of Manny
By Mike Silva ~ December 31st, 2008. Filed under: Mike Silva.
Now that we are hours from 2009, you can start to put the holiday’s behind and move on with life. A short weekend respite will lead to a new beginning, as fans of this site head back to their places of work. I am sure there will be plenty to talk about in the world. It’s funny how the news business never goes into a recession. Without trying, they continue to churn out stories for us to analyze, debate, and discuss. In my opinion, the first fascinating story of 2009 is none other than the plight of Manny Ramirez. That is why January is the month of Manny.
I must admit that I am surprised at how little interest there is for Manny Ramirez. Although his actions in Boston were wrong, it wasn’t like the Sox were completely innocent either. Some act as if he didn’t contribute over his eight years of service in Boston. He was, after all, the MVP of the 2004 World Series. I digress, but hearing that Scott Boras is reaching out to Los Angeles tells you that he is a bit surprised as well. The market might have done what thirty professional teams have been unable to accomplish: beat Boras at the negotiating game. It probably will also create another dramatic story about Manny Ramirez.
Manny has threatened retirement, demanded a multi -year deal, and practically begged his way into pinstripes. Nothing has worked. Now, if the Dodgers live up to form, he will either have to take a deflated LA offer, or sit and wait for something better. The later into January it gets, the more likely the pressure will mount to sign him here in New York.
The Yankees can’t help themselves. They are on a spending high after the signing of Mark Teixeira. Despite all the talk about how “great” the Yankees lineup has been it never had balance for the better part of four years. Teixeira achieves that, but Manny makes it great as well. I doubt you could name me a better “on paper” lineup then a 2009 Yankees team with Ramirez. Good luck navigating A-Rod, Teixeira, and Manny in the ninth inning. It might not be much past the MLK holiday that Hank Steinbrenner is on the front of the paper saying: I want Manny. That should be scary enough for all those AL contenders, outside of Boston, to at least make a call to Boras.
The Mets, although improved, might need something to get past their 2007/2008 failures. Johan Santana should have done it, but the dour Willie Randolph negated all good will from that coup of a signing. The excitement of having two closers is nice, but putting Ramirez in left field would create a fresh buzz to the new ballpark. Imagine opening day and Manny hits a three run homer in the first. They may need to check the new buildings structure to ensure it’s ready for that kind of punishment. Manny would take a solid lineup and make it great. There is that g-word again. Unfortunately, there is no Hank Steinbrenner in the Wilpon family. Even an engaging salesman like Omar MInaya has been unable to convince Fred and Jeff on Ramirez. The fans remember Vladimir Guerrero and the winter of 2003. Maybe another rally with Craig Carton at Citi Field would help the Wilpon’s remember.
The New Year is a time for resolutions and fresh starts. In baseball they will be launching a promising new network. Want to make a bet what the first big story will be for the MLB network? Somehow I think January will be an interesting month. Manny Ramirez always has a way of creating dramatic news. Anything less would not be “Manny being Manny”. It’s just a hunch, but January might just be the month of Manny.
