Since Ramirez signed his eight-year, $160 million contract, he has been very dependable at bringing in 30 HR, 100 RBI, and a .300 BA. But could the all-time postseason home-run leader have delivered more?
His poor defensive play in left field is often overlooked...but statistically, he is one of the worst defenders in the game. Offensively, his resume also has some holes, which seem to be getting bigger.
In 2006, Manny hit 100 RBI and 30+ HR, but then purposefully tanked the better part of September when it looked like the Sox were out of it and he refused to play.
Last season, despite being a key to the Sox winning the 2007 World Series, he only hit 20 HR and 88 RBI...his lowest numbers since 1994, which was his first full season in the majors. Many feel that this could be the new baseline for an aging Manny...thus reducing his overall value even more.
These concerns, and Manny’s contract situation, lend credence to the belief that new agent Scott Boras inspired a "Manny-improvement plan" which the slugger appears to have begun implementing this past winter.
The "Reinvent Manny" plan seems to have had several principles:
1) Show you are committed to your team and your individual performance by working hard in the offseason.
2) Have a record year at the plate in 2008 (NOTE: Jason Varitek’s reinvention list obviously didn’t have this one).
3) Clean up your intangibles; make the Red Sox WANT to bring you back.
From the looks of things at midseason, Manny has overall failed in this plan to reinvent himself.
To his credit, Manny was very committed in the offseason, working out under professional supervision and with some hitting and clubhouse video/mental work to reduce his on-field blunders. As a result, offensively he is en route to a very good year at the plate.
But his bonehead errors in the field and his half-heartedness on the basepaths continue.
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