The Conspiracy: Baseball needs to lose Ramirez

4 years, $100 million dollars.

That is what seems to be the price tag for one of the most controversial players in recent memory. Maybe his bat would seem worth the price to a few select teams who can afford it.

But let's do a comparison of two players:

Barry Bonds

Manny Ramirez

Both players undoubtedly ranked among the greatest hitters of all time, both play left field, both known for bringing plenty of unwanted baggage into a clubhouse.

Bonds on one hand, has been the posterchild for the steroid era, and because of the controversy surrounding him, has not been picked up by a team for the major league minimum. He would undoubtedly help an American league team needing a strong DH or left handed bat off the bench.

Manny Ramirez on the other hand, is being paid a comfortable $20 million a year. The phrase "Manny being Manny" has gotten old, as he made up a leg injury to avoid playing two out of three games in an important series against the Yankees. He said he would not complain if the Red Sox declined his option years so that he would become a free agent for the price mentioned at the beginning of this article.

One player is thought to have cheated to help his team and gain personal fame, and showing loyalty to his team, the Giants. He was the face of his organization and is the home run king. He would bring a media circus to a clubhouse. He is willing to play for the league minimum.

One player has annual trade rumors swirling about him, constantly asking to be traded, and had become a disturbance in the clubhouse. He faked a leg injury in an effort to force the Red Sox into letting him become a free agent at the end of the year to in turn be given an eye-popping contract. His services will be to the highest bidder.

Player #1 has not been offered a contract this season, and many conspiracy theorists believe that every GM in baseball has agreed not to sign the home run king, as if to make an example of him. I don't see how player #2 is any better than player #1.

Managers make examples of players every day. Joe Maddon benched B.J. Upton for not running out a ground ball. Ron Washington made C.J. Wilson hand the ball back to him after he was being taken out of a game. People like Ramirez and his agent Scott Boras need to be made examples of.

Let the GM's of baseball humble Ramirez, and not offer him a contract for the 2009 season. If a GM wants to sign Manny, then what is his problem with Barry Bonds?

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