MLB Rumors: Could Manny Ramirez Help the New York Yankees?

Future Hall of Famer Manny Ramirez is still a free agent as of right now. He is going to be looking to find another team for the 2011 season, and the New York Yankees could be the right home for the 38-year-old slugger.

His hitting would benefit almost any team, and it's rumored that the Yankees could be after him.

Here are some reasons why Ramirez could or couldn't end up with the Yankees.

James Evens is a Purdue student and Basketball/Football Featured Columnist for the Boilermakers, along with being a Writing Intern at Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter or like him on Facebook.

Hitting

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

CHICAGO - SEPTEMBER 14: Manny Ramirez #99 of the Chicago White Sox takes a swing against the Minnesota Twins at U.S. Cellular Field on September 14, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

Of course his hitting would be beneficial for the Yankees. He is a slugger.  

He has a career batting average of .313 and has hit 555 home runs throughout his career. He has proven that he still has his bat and can still hit the ball.

Jorge Posada

Al Bello/Getty Images

NEW YORK - OCTOBER 20: Mariano Rivera #42 and Jorge Posada #20 of the New York Yankees celebrate after the Yankees won 7-2 against the Texas Rangers in Game Five of the ALCS during the 2010 MLB Playoffs at Yankee Stadium on October 20, 2010 in the Bronx

This is a problem with the Yankees getting Manny. Do they really need him? They have already announced that they plan to start the transition of Jorge Posada to designated hitter.

The longtime catcher Posada is nearing the end of his career but can still hit the ball, so he has pretty well secured the DH spot this season.

Fielding Isn't the Greatest

Elsa/Getty Images

BOSTON - SEPTEMBER 05: Manny Ramirez #99 of the Chicago White Sox heads to first base after he was hit by a pitch in the eighth inning against the Boston Red Sox on September 5, 2010 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

Manny has never been known as a great fielder. Sure, he can still play outfield, but he isn't as fast as he used to be, and his work ethic isn't great—though that hasn't ever stopped the Yankees before.

Would Be Antagonistic

Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images

OAKLAND, CA - JUNE 06: Manny Ramirez #24 of the Boston Red Sox waits to bat against the Oakland Athletics during a Major League Baseball game on June 6, 2007 at McAfee Coliseum in Oakland, California. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)

The Yankees are famous for just trying to make the Red Sox mad, and this would just be another move to complete that criteria for the season.

Signing the former fan favorite would just be another slap in the face to the Sox organization, although it would not have the merit it did if it had happened a few years ago.

The Dreads Would Have to Go

Vincent Laforet/Getty Images

4 Mar 1999: Outfielder Manny Ramirez #24 of the Cleveland Indians poses for a studio portrait on Photo Day during Spring Training at the Chain of Lakes Park in Winter Haven, Florida. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Laforet /Allsport

Manny would have to shave his dreads if he were to sign with the Yankees. I just don't see this happening.

The dreads have become a staple of Ramirez's personality, and it would just be weird seeing him without them now.

It Just Isn't the Right Fit

Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

OAKLAND, CA - SEPTEMBER 22: Manny Ramirez #99 of the Chicago White Sox walks through the dugout before their game against the Oakland Athletics at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on September 22, 2010 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Gett

This just doesn't seem like the right fit for the Yankees. Ramirez has proven more of a problem lately than an actual solution.

His off-the-field drama should just lead the Yankees away from him.