Scott Boras and Manny Ramirez: Get a Clue

I realize your job is to get your client as much money as possible, but you’re creating a villain.  Manny used to be considered an oddball character that didn’t like to live in the fish bowl that is the Boston sports scene.  He escaped to L.A. after basically quitting on his team. 

In this troubled economy, do you think hard working Americans want to hear about someone with that track record turning down a two-year, $45 million deal.  It’s insane.  In addition, the market just isn’t there right now. 

People are losing their jobs, their homes, and their belief that things will get better soon.  Even the sports world, which by no means is in line with the majority of our economy, is beginning to hit the brakes.  You don’t see the Carlos Silva four-year, $48 million deals being inked. 

No, you see the Jason Varitek one-year, $5 million deals.  The Yankees opened their check books, but let’s face it.  The Yankees are playing with printed money.  They are in a different league than Boston, LA, and Chicago.  They sure as hell operate in a different stratospher as Kansas City, Pittsburgh, Oakland, and Minnesota. 

Manny will turn 37 this year.  How long do you expect him to play at this level?  The Dodgers have reasonable expectations with their contract offer.  Outfielders don’t continue to rake into their 40s for the most part.  Even Hank Aaron and Barry B*nds hit a wall when they turned 40. 

We’re tired of reading about Manny turning down massive offers while business are going under and people are losing jobs.  I really wish the Dodgers started working in reverse by offering a two-year, $30 million deal. 

You turn that down and they offer $20 million.  I know one thing, if Manny does sit out this year, that’s $25 million he’ll never get back.  I don’t know about you, but I wouldn’t feel comfortable playing chicken with that kind of money when the deal is reasonable. 

To switch analogies, is it wrong of me to hope Manny and Boras get caught holding the hot potato?