OT: Manny Ramirez: 'No one wants to sign me'

[kingjammy24]

Manny Ramirez: 'No one wants to sign me'
That's what the slugger's friend Albert Pujols says Ramirez told him. Pujols wants Cardinals to get in the process

Associated Press

Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic -- Albert Pujols is encouraging the St. Louis Cardinals to sign Manny Ramirez.

The Cardinals slugger, who won his second NL MVP award in November, acknowledged the team might not have enough money to land the free-agent outfielder

"I speak with Manny every three days and he tells me, 'Man, no one wants to sign me,' Pujols said today during a news conference. "I'm not an agent or general manager, but I can't understand how Manny has not signed."

Pujols passed along Ramirez's telephone number to St. Louis manager Tony La Russa.

"Maybe St. Louis doesn't have the money to sign him, but he could give them a discount because St. Louis is a great city that supports its players," Pujols said.

Pujols plans to play for the Dominican Republic in the upcoming World Baseball Classic. He is coming off surgery on his right elbow.

"I'll represent the Dominican Republic while I'm healthy," he said. "The only thing that can stop me is if I feel any discomfort."
----------------------------------------------------------------

rudy.

[Rboitano]

The Cardinals cant afford anyone. They like to pick their starting lineup from the scrap heap every year, and the great local media sells it to the fans as a "great pickup". They have a large fan base, and have no problem selling tickets. They just have a problem spending some of that money on some players.

[Rob L]

Torii Hunter was on a local radio station and said he had a few sources that said to not be surprised if the Manny ends up in an Angels uniform. Here's to wishful thinking!!

[camarokids]

I hope no one signs him!

But as long as team keep paying players HUGE contracts like CC, AROD, Texiera and so on. The players will demand big bucks.

It would be cool if Manny sits out because no one will pay him the money.

Any bets the Yankees sign him?????

Who has the biggest contract? Arod?

I know CC has the biggest contract for a pitcher...

[allstarsplus]

I hope no one signs him!

I know it is too much to dream, but wouldn't it be nice if no team signed him.

[metsbats]

Let's see what we have here. ManRam who didn't hide the fact that all he wanted was the most money he can get (remember his "price of oils going up" comment) represented by Boras who is the epitome of agent greed.

Well since then the economys down, the price of oil is down and so will the price of Manny's next contract.

Maybe Pujols can share some of his big contract $$ with Manny to help the Cardinals sign him.

[eisenreich8]

I, too, as a lifelong Red Sox fan, would love to see that jughead go unsigned, but can you say: accusations of collusion? Could that be a predictable outcome?

[gamer35]

I, too, as a lifelong Red Sox fan, would love to see that jughead go unsigned, but can you say: accusations of collusion? Could that be a predictable outcome?

Yea, a lifelong Red Sox fan who would have had 2 less World Championships if that "jughead" was not on the team. Some fan you are...

[xpress34]

I, too, as a lifelong Red Sox fan, would love to see that jughead go unsigned, but can you say: accusations of collusion? Could that be a predictable outcome?

Hard to claim collusion when an offer has been extended (Dodgers)... Bonds tried claiming that last year because no team wanted to take him up on his DEMAND of $15mil for a one year deal regardless of when he started the season or how much playing time he actually put in...

I'm just thankful my wife and I both have our jobs, house and cars and these overpaid millionaire cry babies act like they're being ripped off...

Give me a break.

[eisenreich8]

And I don't bash JUST Manyy out of spite as a Boston fan. The entertainment world in general takes hits for what are real or perceived shortcomings in the course of their "artistic" performances, ie Tom Cruise and his odd behavior over the years, plus being labeled a "bad match" for his role in Valkyrie, Madonna's dalliances with a married superstar ballplayer, Varitek cheating on his family.

Manny's legacy in Boston was not fed by anything other than his bat. He was unable and/or unwilling to contribute in any other area, as a fielder, mentor or team ambassador. Before you laugh, consider that the Red Sox have had a children's cancer research charity for many years (55?) known as the Jimmy Fund. It's taken very seriously and is part of the heartbeat of that franchise. Manny was averse to any connection with that organization, even when sick children were literally right outside the Pahk hoping to get a few moments with him. This was all reported in the Boston papers. He did not HAVE to do anything above and beyond swinging his monster bat for the Sox, but he did virtually nothing else expected from or by the team and community, for all the years he was there. It had virtually nothing to do with fans climbing all over him and harassing him due to his oddball behavior during his days in Boston, as he to this day has many fans in Boston, but with his sitting out the big stuff, except where he benefitted from it.

Nomar, on the other hand, hosted charity bowling and was adored by the fans, until he, too, started sitting out the big stuff. Management has worked well in recent years with well-rounded players who are decent people. Nixon, Lowell, Wake, Timlin, et al. When the attitude starts to rise, ala Pedro, Damon, Clemens, Varitek, they show no mercy. It is a business, and they have done pretty well at conducting it as such.

Manny wasn't around for the late season push to the playoffs last season, the Sox were on out away from the WS, and Jason Bay filled in admirably in Manny's absence. I wish Manny well, it's just that he is not missed in Boston.