Manny Ramirez's Ego Is Bigger Than Baseball's Wallets

The 2008 baseball season closed, and opened were contract negotiations between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Manny Ramirez. L.A  was looking to lock up the slugger for another two years, after seeing the noticeable difference in the teams production, following the midseason trade that pulled him out of Fenway and placed him in Dodger blue.

The two-year offer of $45 million would have made Ramirez the second highest paid player in the 2009, trailing only Alex Rodriguez, and the highest paid in 2010.  But despite the large sum, the offer was rejected.

Man-Ram and his agent, Scott Boras, felt a bat was big enough to swing through a recession and land in baseball wallets. Baseball’s wealth was to line his doorstep with offers, each hungry for a productive hitter to fill the three-hole in their lineups.

It never happened. Major league clubs were cutting back and unwilling to open those wallets for a 36-year-old slugger headed towards decline. As expected, very few National League clubs showed interest, but some thought the American League would bite, with the DH position playing into his future.

But still, no takers. Not even the evil empire with its pinstripes and riches, as the Yankees turned a blind eye at the opportunity to flaunt something in the Red Sox faces.

The Dodgers’ offer remains on the table, and three months later, it has no signature. One of the most valuable players of baseball’s postseason has spent the entire offseason without a home.

Outside of Los Angeles, the only franchise showing a bit of interest is the Giants. And even so, it’s more likely a ploy to keep their southern nemesis bidding high, with no serious intention of signing him.

We’ve watched baseball throw their money around for years, even satisfying the egos of aging players not nearly deserving. But these are different times in America, and swollen heads can quickly be deflated over a three-month period, becoming victims of a collapsing economy.

In a time when all Americans realize the need to cut back, somehow Ramirez felt he was immune.

In his 15 year baseball career, Manny Ramirez has $162,149,269 in total earnings.

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