Mike Scioscia Could See Manny Ramirez in Angels Uniform

Rarely is Manny Ramirez called an Angel. But to hear Angels manager Mike Scioscia tell it, the idea is not as far-fetched as many believe.

Scioscia, appearing Monday with Roger Lodge and Dave Smith on AM 830 KLAA, heartily endorsed the idea of the Angels signing Ramirez as a free agent.

The remarks by Scioscia were the second public indication that the team could be bracing for the loss of free-agent first baseman Mark Teixeira.

The first indication came when the Angels announced Saturday they had offered Teixeira an eight-year contract. No other team pursuing Teixeira has made such a proclamation; it serves no useful purpose in negotiations, other than to tell fans, "We've taken our best shot."

Now here was Scioscia, replying to a question from Lodge on the Angels' radio affiliate about whether Ramirez was a "Mike Scioscia guy."

"I don't know how some of these things get started," Scioscia said. "Our staff has been together for 10 years here. Really, we've had maybe one well-documented thing with Jose Guillen and that's it. I don't think we demand anything from our players that any other organization, any other manager, doesn't demand from their players.

"Manny Ramirez is a guy...as long as he's practicing the game hard, playing it hard and producing, and is understanding of the team concept—which from everything I've heard from guys he's played with, he is; he's a guy who works very, very hard at what he does—he'd be a fit on a lot of clubs, including our own.

"I don't think it's anything like that that is going to keep Manny from being considered to play for our club. It's certainly length of contract, resources, things like that—(things) that would affect any other player."

Smith then asked Scioscia, "So, you're all for it if things can be worked out?

"Absolutely," Scioscia responded. "Talent like Manny's is real. He's a winner. Whether it happens or not remains to be seen. But we would not rule him out. We have discussions obviously on character and makeup. We would not rule Manny out.

"When he's motivated—and he showed that in the last part of the season—this guy is one of the best talents in the game."

Finally, Lodge asked if the Angels would consult Red Sox manager Terry Francona for a background check on Ramirez.

Scioscia responded, "Already been done."

Abreu: Right player, wrong price?

Bobby Abreu has produced six straight 100-RBI seasons, averaged 159 games the past eight years and built a .405 career on-base percentage.

Why, then, isn't he getting more play on the free-agent market?

Evidently, his price is too high.

Abreu, who turns 35 on March 11, is looking for a three-year, $48 million contract, one executive says. He earned $16 million last season with the Yankees, who declined to offer him arbitration.

It's understandable that Abreu wants a multi-year deal without a paycut from his 2008 salary. His problem is that the market is flooded with left-handed hitting outfield/DH types.

Raul Ibanez signed a three-year, $31.5 million contract with the Phillies. Adam Dunn, Garret Anderson, Jason Giambi and Ken Griffey Jr. remain free agents, as does switch-hitter Milton Bradley.

Abreu ranked 34th among major-league right fielders last season according to the plus-minus ratings on Bill James Online. However, his baserunning is superior to the hitters left on the market, one executive says.

Griffey Watch

While the Mariners' top executives favor bringing back Griffey, they're leaving the decision to new general manager Jack Zduriencik—a strong indication that upper management will meddle less than it did in the past.

Griffey, 39, represents an attractive fallback position for a team that does not want to pay big dollars for a free-agent bat. He had 30 homers, 93 RBIs and an .868 OPS in 2007, only to regress last season due to injury; his left knee was drained three times and required arthroscopic surgery in October.

Money is less of a concern for Griffey than it is for most free agents. His previous contract with the Reds included $57.5 million in deferred payments at 4 percent interest. Those payments begin in 2009 and last until 2024.

Mets on 'Tek? Maybe

After fixing their bullpen, The Mets are focused on securing another starting pitcher, preferably free-agent lefty Oliver Perez.

The team, though, also could seek to improve its pitching by signing free-agent catcher Jason Varitek.

Club officials are divided on how strongly to pursue Varitek, sources say. Some view him as a potential difference-maker for their pitching staff; others are alarmed by his .220 batting average last season.

For the Mets to land Varitek, they would need to move catcher Brian Schneider—who is guaranteed $4.9 million next season. Such a move should not be a problem; several teams are interested in Schneider.

The Mets, though, would need to decide whether the additional cost for Varitek would be prudent. Varitek, 36, wants a multi-year deal.

Some executives remain convinced that agent Scott Boras will require any team that signs Teixeira to also take Varitek; Boras rejected the Red Sox's offer of arbitration for Varitek, one exec says, only because he knew he could get a package deal.

Late-night calls

Mike Powers, the agent for right-hander Daniel Cabrera, said he received calls from five clubs on the pitcher between midnight and 12:30 Saturday. Cabrera, 27, became a free agent at midnight after the Orioles declined to offer him a contract.

Powers said he has heard from more than 10 clubs on Cabrera and received two offers. Numerous major-league scouts are expected to be in attendance Tuesday night when Cabrera pitches in the Dominican winter league.

Cabrera's velocity dropped from the 96 to 99 mph range to 88 to 91 in September, one scout says, raising concerns that he might be injured. Powers, however, said that his client is fine.

This article originally published on FOXSports.com.

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