Yankees have interest in Ramirez

Dec 17, 2008 - 6:56 PM NEW YORK (Ticker) -- The New York Yankees may have significant interest in signing Manny Ramirez, according to a published report Wednesday.

The New York Daily News reported that one baseball official said the Yankees' interest in Ramirez is more than just cursory and that they see the slugger as the perfect complement in their lineup to Alex Rodriguez.

That official said the Yankees see Ramirez and Rodriguez forming a 1-2 punch like Ramirez did with David Ortiz in Boston.

According to the report, the official believes the Yankees are "going hard" after Ramirez to the point where they are willing to offer him a three-year deal worth from $22 million to $25 million.

The enigmatic Ramirez already has seen the Dodgers withdraw a two-year, $45 million deal.

Two other baseball officials told the newspaper that while power agent Scott Boras gathers offers, if the market is limited, the Yankees will try to jump in with a two-year, $50 million package for Ramirez, who grew up in the shadows of Yankee Stadium in Washington Heights.

The newspaper also reported that, according to source familiar with the Yankees' thinking, general manager Brian Cashman has been lukewarm to the idea of signing Ramirez.

However, the rest of the front office - notably Hal and Hank Steinbrenner - believe Ramirez is what the Yankees need to bolster a lineup that underachieved in 2008.

Spending money is no object for the Yankees, who are doing whatever it takes to return to the playoffs after missing the postseason for the first time since 1993.

On Thursday, the Yankees are expected to unveil CC Sabathia, who became baseball's highest-paid pitcher after agreeing on a seven-year, $161 million contract.

The Yankees also are on the verge of signing pitcher A.J. Burnett to a five-year, $82 million deal.

Ramirez and first baseman Mark Teixeira are the best offensive players available on the open market.

A 12-time All-Star, Ramirez quit on the Boston Red Sox last season, then carried the Los Angeles Dodgers to the playoffs after being acquired at the trade deadline.

Ramirez, 36, batted .396 with 17 homers and 53 RBI in 53 games with the Dodgers. He hit .332 with 37 homers and 121 RBI in 153 games overall last season.