Future undecided for Dodgers LF Ramirez

Oct 16, 2008 - 10:22 AM By Ed Kacik PA SportsTicker Staff Writer

LOS ANGELES (Ticker) -- Forgive Los Angeles Dodger fans for thinking of The Clash when it comes to Manny Ramirez.

They just want someone to let them know, will he stay or will he go?

The Dodgers' campaign came to a crashing halt on Wednesday as they dropped a 5-1 decision to the Philadelphia Phillies in Game Five of the National League Championship Series, ending their hopes of a World Series title.

Fittingly, the lone run came from Ramirez, who stroked a solo homer to right field in the sixth inning off Phillies starter Cole Hamels. The blast capped an unbelievable playoff run for the 36-year-old slugger, who had at least one hit in each of Los Angeles' eight postseason contests.

"He's a big reason why we got so far into the postseason," Dodgers catcher Russell Martin said. "What he does on the field, you can't compare, the best hitter I've ever seen, and he just does it every day. It's unbelievable."

Ramirez batted .520 (13-for-25) with four home runs, 10 RBI, 11 walks and reached base two out of every three times he strolled to home plate in the playoffs. Add the .396 batting average, 17 homers and 53 runs he drove in during 53 regular-season games, and Los Angeles is faced with a difficult decision.

There is no doubt that Ramirez can hit. The question is whether his offensive production and off-field problems will be worth his contract demands in the long run.

Ramirez is reportedly seeking at least a four-year contract worth somewhere between $25 to $30 million a season. With super agent Scott Boras representing him, it seems unlikely that Ramirez will waiver.

"All I will tell you is, name me the player in recent times that has had the kind of season (Ramirez) has had this season and postseason," Boras told the New York Post on Wednesday.

"Put that together with two (championship) rings on his fingers, and the history he has, and that he is two years younger than (Barry) Bonds when (Bonds) was a free agent. Bonds signed a five-year contract (for $90 million after the 2001 season) at 38 (he turned 38 midway through the first year of the deal) and got paid until he was 42."

Ramirez' problems have been well-documented, including the issues that led to his departure from the Boston Red Sox ahead of the July 31 trade deadline. Ramirez stopped running out groundballs and supposedly faked a knee injury to stay out of the lineup in protest of his contract situation, which included a pair of club options that the slugger and his agent wanted waived.

Boras insists none of that matters.

"Owners are going to look at the totality of circumstances," Boras told the Post. "Owners are going to look at his contribution, his performance, the economic growth of the franchise and the rare ability to have in the fold a franchise player."

He isn't the most adept outfielder either, but has long preferred to play left field as opposed to being a designated hitter. At 36, his years in the field may be numbered; a concern for any National League team considering a run at Ramirez.

Boras believes there is precedent for a huge contract, not only with Bonds but perhaps his most notable client, New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez.

After the Yankees suggested that they would not negotiate with Rodriguez if he opted out of his contract following last season, A-Rod did just that. The result: a new 10-year deal reportedly worth $275 million that includes incentives that could push the deal above $300 million.

"If A-Rod gets paid to 42, why not Manny?" Boras told the newspaper. "He doesn't take a backseat to him."

The Dodgers could face a jam in the outfield if they choose to sign Ramirez. Juan Pierre, Andruw Jones, Matt Kemp and Andre Ethier are all viable candidates for starting jobs.

Ramirez won't likely be returning to the same Los Angeles team in 2009 that he joined. Nomar Garciaparra, 35, and 40-year-old Jeff Kent suffered several injuries during the campaign and may choose to retire. Greg Maddux may also decide to call it a career after eclipsing the coveted 350-win mark - likely the final milestone in a Hall of Fame career.

Regardless of who stays and who goes, the Dodgers' front office will think long and hard before making a decision on a future with -- or without -- Ramirez.