Manny Ramirez in Miller Park 81 games a year?

[AJ Love]

I'm thinkin' he might lead the NL in home runs as a Brewer

 

could it actually happen? Jenkins and Hardy and Miller and/or prospects for Manny?

[sbrylski]

Maybe if they expand interleague play...

[endaround]

Go after Bonds first. He'll be just as good at a lower cost with no need to trade anything.

[Oldcity]

Bonds will need to go to the A.L.

[brettac1]

Actually, I think he could play in the NL. Looking at things like Win Shares (admittedly not a great stat for defense) he's about the same as a Carlos Lee, better than Manny, a little worse than Dunn (better according to BP). Better than replacement level, below average. Probabilistic model of range has him as better than guys like Crawford, Payton, Swisher, Podsednik, Burrell, etc. He's not that terrible.

[aracko]

Id agree - Bonds first, Manny 2nd.

 

I gotta figure that Bonds is about ready to get out of the Big Market Limelight. He also seems to be a guy who is into baseball history somewhat and maybe....just maybe

[TooLiveBrew]

Manny has all but explicitly stated he will not ok a trade to an NL team. His quote was to the affect of "I'm familiar with the AL pitching staffs, so I don't want to go to the NL."

 

Plus his salary is ludicrous for the Crew, and his D sucks.

[AJAY]

Well, if Ramirez were to come here, it would be exactly the type of move that would put the Brewers on the map. If they were willing to give 12 million to Carlos Lee, why not just pay a little more if it is only for two years. Ramirez is a difference maker.

[GAME05]

"I'm thinkin' he might lead the NL in home runs as a Brewer"

 

......or as a Pirate, or Giant, or Cardinal, or Marlin.......

[GAME05]

His bat more than outweighs his Mench-esque defense, though.

 

Of course he would probably demand another 2/$38 tacked to the back of his contract, and that's definitely tough to swallow. We'd end up like ARod's Rangers, pinning all our hopes to one player.

 

I don't know, with his contract suddenly palpable (gasp!), I'd bet a team like the Angels could totally outbid us for Manny. No doubt he'd rather play in Anaheim, anyway. They'd just dangle Santana out there and we can't can't match that or their money.

[Oldcity]

Quote:

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Looking at things like Win Shares (admittedly not a great stat for defense) he's about the same as a Carlos Lee, better than Manny, a little worse than Dunn (better according to BP).

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I guess I was referring to his health more than his defensive ability. He can prolong his career as a DH.

[TooLiveBrew]

Great point, GAME05. The LAAs have been his rumored destination nearly every year this talk comes up. They fit his AL desire, have a strong contingent of Latin players, and oh yeah by the way every AL West team would petition to change leagues or divisions so they wouldn't have to face the 3-4 of Manny to Vlad. Holy crap that's a sick combo.

 

Especially good point about Ervin Santana. Don't know quite why he's available/being shopped, but since he is, it's gonna be tough for a better deal to come along. The LAAs can take on almost all of ManRam's current salary, and are one of the few teams that could afford to extend him, as well.

[molitor fan]

Cubs reportedly make offer for Manny according to mlbtraderumors.com:

 

A Cubs source e-mailed that Chicago has offered Matt Murton, Bob Howry, Sean Gallagher and Donald Veal

[AJAY]

If the Cubs got Manny Ramirez, that would be scary. They could probably afford his contract too. I don't like the thought of it.

 

Once again, I really think it would be worth overpaying a little to get a guy like Manny Ramirez to Milwaukee considering the risk is only 2 years. A .321 average, 35 Homeruns, 102 RBI, and a .439 OBP sounds awfully good. Not only would it make the Brewers instant contenders, but the extra publicity and media coverage would be a nice change.

 

This isn't some ridiculous eight-year deal that will come back to kill you either. If they could find a way to somehow move Jenkins, it is definitely affordable.

[Oldcity]

The Red Sox could get much more for Ramirez if they fielded more offers.

[GAME05]

Would it be worth overpaying for prospects, though? Jenkins+Bush+Hardy?

[DHonks]

Would it be worth overpaying for prospects, though? Jenkins+Bush+Hardy?

 

The Sox are moving Papelbonn back to the rotation and would like a new closer. So perhaps Turnbow + Jenkins or Mench + a minor leaguer

[mothershipconnection]

Go after Bonds first. He'll be just as good at a lower cost with no need to trade anything.

While his rate stats are still really good, there's no way you bet the farm on Bonds being healthy. Manny, meanwhile, is good for about 140 games a year.

[Invader3K]

Bah, the Brewers never land players like that. I'm not even going to bother hoping.

[billyhallfan]

We're just dreaming...

[MessiahRp]

As said above this is certainly dreaming but I'd be willing to make a play for Manny.

 

From what I have read (and being a Sox and Manny fan I keep up with this and openly admit my bias), The Angels are out, the Giants don't have enough to offer, the Cubs aren't serious players, the Padres are just now dipping their toes in the water as are the White Sox.

 

Nobody is running away with this.

 

Manny is as good as Lee ever was defensively and is easily twice the hitter. Think of how good Prince would become with Manny hitting #4. Ortiz became awesome when he had Manny behind him because no manager dare pitch around him to face Manny instead. Prince would be well protected and we would be instantly better.

 

The Sox are looking for a Closer, a backup catcher (Mirabelli is likely not returning), a Shortstop and an Outfield Bat.

 

Turnbow-Miller-Hardy-Jenkins

 

I don't think we'd have to throw in a starter but for good measure I'd toss Ben Hendrickson their way just so they can get a prospect out of it.

 

The only real loss is Hardy although who truly knows how he'd develop?

 

We were going to give Lee $12 million and that was with the expectation of having Jenkins likely on the books for $7 million.

 

Manny's deal would need to be extended (from what I hear teams that are interested would have to be willing to extend him one year) but that's three years rather than four of Lee and we're getting the solid hitter in the middle of our lineup we so desperately need.

 

In turn I would then resign Graffy to be our everyday SS, which is what he desires anyway, move Hall to CF, put Hart and Gross in the mix in Jenkins old slot and let Mench go. Clark and Gwynn could be our bench outfielders.

 

Melvin would have to make the pitch and a hell of a sale to Manny but coming to a team with a huge shot at contention in a small market where the press isn't on his back every twenty seconds might make a world of difference and turn Manny to our favor.

 

Rp

[Blazer25]

Great point RP except for...

 

Quote:

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In turn I would then resign Graffy to be our everyday SS, which is what he desires anyway, move Hall to CF, put Hart and Gross in the mix in Jenkins old slot and let Mench go. Clark and Gwynn could be our bench outfielders.

---

 

No chance Graffy is going to be the everyday SS for any MLB team let alone one with Bill Hall on it.

 

Get Manny, leave Hall at short and go with a Gross/ Clark platoon in CF and Hart in RF...now we're talking playoffs!

[GAME05]

good breakdown, definitely agree. but of course Manny moving would also mean picking up his huge extention, and I'd definitely hope his future salary wouldn't handcuff this team later. But I guess would could just dump him on the Yankees later, right?

 

no way Hall would be moved to the OF if he didn't have to be, and an open CF position would still leave us with some flexibility with our extra OFers.

 

Sure, Manny wouldn't have the almost guaranteed playoff appearance that he would have with the Angels, but what he would have is all the attention of being the difinitive #1 on the team, which he wouldn't get with Ortiz or Vlad around him. It'd be all the attention he wants.

 

Attanasio would get a huge name and a bump in attendance from everyone paying to see him play. Adding him is a very loud "We're trying to win NOW," and it would certainly sell a lot more season tickets.

[aracko]

I say we keep Hardy -

 

Offer Coco instead of TBOW - so you make it Coco, Jenkins, and Miller for ManRam.

 

Hardy remains the everyday SS, Billy Hall roams CF for the next 10 years.

 

1. Weeks 2b

2. Estrada c

3. Prince 1b

4. Manny lf

5. Hall cf

6. Koskie 3b

7. Hart rf

8. Hardy ss

 

 

 

 

I know its a big if getting Manny - and I know Coco is a favorite in these parts, but I think Turnbow can get it back, and I think Aquino could do it as well. That lineup above would be enough (offensively) to keep pace with Chicago and St Louis.

[GAME05]

If we lose CoCo our bullpen implodes, far worse than what it did last year.