Thu Jan 26 2012 | 22:28 | Athletics owner open to idea of signing Manny |
A's managing partner Lew Wolff said Thursday that he's open to the idea of signing Manny Ramirez. |
"I really don't see any non-baseball reason for not having him," Wolff told the San Francisco Chronicle. "I wouldn't want to not have a player because he made a mistake and paid the price for it, but that's really up to (general manager) Billy (Beane)." Ramirez is planning to hold a workout for MLB teams soon, and is probably hoping to attract interest from more than just the A's. He needs to serve a 50-game PED suspension, however, before he will be allowed to play in a regular season game. |
Source: John Shea on Twitter | |
Fri Jan 20 2012 | 16:56 | Athletics 'very interested' in Manny Ramirez |
Enrique Rojas of ESPNDeportesLosAngeles.com was told by a source that the Athletics are "very interested" in Manny Ramirez. |
Ramirez is currently preparing for his comeback in Miami and plans to hold a workout for MLB teams later this month. The Orioles and Blue Jays recently sent scouts to watch the 39-year-old take batting practice, but Rojas was told that the A's have shown the most interest thus far, even though they haven't watched him train. Ramirez will need to serve a 50-game suspension for his second positive PED test before being eligible to play during the regular season. Chances are he'll have to accept a minor league contract. |
Source: Enrique Rojas on Twitter | |
Thu Jan 12 2012 | 09:35 | Ramirez wants a chance to be a role model |
Manny Ramirez recently told ESPN's Pedro Gomez that he wants to be a role model and show that he can still play the game. |
"I want to show people that Manny can change, that he can do the right thing," said Ramirez. "And to show people that I still can play. I don't want to leave the game like I did. I also want to show my kids that if you make a mistake, don't quit. Just go back and fix it. And if you're going to leave, leave the right way." Ramirez's comeback attempt hasn't drawn much interest thus far, but the Orioles and Blue Jays recently sent scouts to watch him take batting practice in Miami. If signed, he'll have to serve a reduced 50-game suspension before being eligible to play during the regular season. |
Source: ESPN.com | |
Sun Jan 8 2012 | 09:12 | Orioles, Blue Jays watch Manny Ramirez hit |
Enrique Rojas of ESPN Deportes reports that the Orioles and Blue Jays recently sent scouts to watch Manny Ramirez take batting practice in Miami. |
They could just be doing their due diligence, but, based on comments by president of baseball operations Dan Duquette, it sounds like the Orioles might legitimately have some interest. "Manny's an interesting guy," Duquette said. "He's interesting to the fans. And he can hit. Or he could hit. I don't know if he still can. He wants another opportunity. He's trying hard to get one." Duquette has some history with Ramirez, as he signed him when he was general manager of the Red Sox in 2000. The O's don't have anyone locked into the DH spot, so perhaps they'll give Manny a shot after he serves his 50-game suspension for a second positive PED test. |
Source: Baltimore Sun | |
Thu Jan 5 2012 | 14:11 | Manny to work out for teams later this month |
According to Buster Olney of ESPN.com, Manny Ramirez plans to work out for MLB teams later this month. |
But will anyone care? The 39-year-old Ramirez was reinstated from the voluntary retirement list last month, but he'll still have to serve a 50-game suspension for his second positive PED test before being eligible to play. The best-case scenario is that he finds an incentive-laden deal with a very minimal guarantee. |
Source: Buster Olney on Twitter | |
Sat Dec 10 2011 | 09:31 | Manny Ramirez officially reinstated by MLB |
Manny Ramirez has been reinstated by Major League Baseball from the voluntary retirement list. |
Ramirez, 40, will be eligible to play this season with a reduced 50-game suspension after his second positive PED test in 2011. Manny told ESPN.com's Jason Stark that he wants to return to baseball, but it is not yet known whether a market will develop given his baggage and history of off-field issues. He is expected be looking for an incentive-laden, one-year deal this offseason. |
Source: Buster Olney on Twitter | |
Sun Dec 4 2011 | 14:39 | Manny Ramirez coming out of retirement |
Jon Paul Morosi of FOXSports.com reports that Manny Ramirez has filed for reinstatement from Major League Baseball's voluntary retired list. |
He'll be eligible to play in 2012 but will first have to serve a 100-game suspension for a second positive PED test. It will be interesting to see what kind of market develops for Ramirez, as he had one hit in 17 at-bats for the Rays before his abrupt retirement last season and will be 40 by the time he can suit up for a game. Someone will likely be willing to give him an incentive-laden, one-year deal, though. |
Source: Jon Paul Morosi on Twitter | |
Thu Nov 10 2011 | 13:33 | Japanese team says no to Manny Ramirez |
Jayson Stark of ESPN.com reports that Manny Ramirez had a workout in Florida a couple weeks ago for Japan's Fukuoka Softbank Hawks, but the workout "didn't go well." |
"The Japanese don't like 'baggage' in a player," the source told Stark, "no matter how talented he might be." We're not sure why the Hawks didn't know about Manny's baggage before the workout, but, regardless, it appears that heading overseas might not be an option for the 39-year-old. Ramirez wants to return to baseball next season, but if it's with a major league team, he'll have to serve a 100-game suspension for a second positive PED test. |
Source: ESPN.com | |
Fri Oct 14 2011 | 11:59 | Manny Ramirez pleads not guilty |
Manny Ramirez has pleaded not guilty to a domestic battery charge involving his wife. |
Manny was arrested on September 12 after his wife told investigators Ramirez slapped her, causing her head to strike a bed headboard. Ramirez's attorney filed the written plea ahead of Friday's scheduled arraignment, and the 12-time All-Star is free on $2,500 bail. Ramirez, 39, is looking to return to baseball next season but would have to serve a 100-game suspension for a second positive PED test. |
Source: Associated Press | |
Thu Sep 22 2011 | 16:22 | Manny wants to play, will serve suspension |
Manny Ramirez said he wants to continue playing baseball and is willing to serve his 100-game suspension. |
Ramirez filed retirement papers near the start of the 2011 season after being handed the 100-game punishment for a second positive PED test. "I would comply with my pending sanction and I would be available for any major league team," Manny told ESPNdeportes.com's Enrique Rojas via telephone from Miami. "I already informed (agent) Scott Boras of my decision to return and begin the process. If any team wants to sign me, I would play. If no one does, I would look to play in Japan or any other place. I was not prepared for retirement." |
Source: ESPN Deportes | |
Wed Sep 21 2011 | 21:30 | Manny not eligible to play winter ball |
Jerry Crasnick of ESPN.com reports that Manny Ramirez is not eligible to play for Aguilas Cibaenas of the Dominican Winter League because they're affiliated with MLB and Ramirez has "unresolved drug program violations.'' |
Manny, of course, tested positive for a second positive PED test, which led to his abrupt retirement earlier this season. If he has any intention of playing again, he'll have to first do so with an independent league club unaffiliated with MLB. It seems unlikely we'll ever see Ramirez in a major league uniform again. |
Source: Jerry Crasnick on Twitter | |
Tue Sep 20 2011 | 18:30 | Manny Ramirez to play winter ball in D.R. |
Manny Ramirez is expected to report to Aguilas Cibaenas of the Dominican Winter League this weekend. |
Ramirez is apparently following through on plans first reported by ESPN Deportes back in April. Of course, the veteran slugger would have to serve his 100-game suspension for a second positive PED test if he ever attempted to make a comeback in MLB. As of now, there's nothing to indicate he has any aspirations to do so. |
Source: Dionisio Soldevila on Twitter | |
Tue Sep 13 2011 | 08:01 | Manny Ramirez arrested for slapping wife |
According to a police report, Manny Ramirez slapped his wife during an altercation that landed him in jail Monday. |
Ramirez's wife fell against the headboard of the couple's bed and immediately called the cops. She declined medical treatment, but had marks consistent with her side of the report. Ramirez, 39, retired from baseball in April after failing a drug test that would have led to a 100-game suspension. And his story just got far more tragic. |
Source: HardballTalk at NBCSports.com | |
Mon Sep 12 2011 | 20:16 | Report: Ramirez arrested in Florida |
According to TMZ, Manny Ramirez has been arrested in Florida over a domestic incident. |
Witnesses told TMZ that Ramirez was involved in an altercation with his wife. He is in custody, according to the website. Ramirez retired from baseball in April after failing a drug test during spring training. He would have to serve a 100-game suspension if he ever thought about making a comeback. |
Source: TMZ.com | |
Mon Jun 13 2011 | 12:19 | Dodgers owe Manny Ramirez $8.33M by June 30 |
ESPN's Molly Knight reports that the Dodgers owe Manny Ramirez $8.33 million by June 30. |
Most clubs wouldn't have a problem meeting that deferred sum, but the Dodgers have been taking out advances to make payroll while the McCourts continue to sort out their divorce agreement. It's possible that the club struggle to pay Ramirez, who retired from baseball in early April after failing a drug test during spring training. |
Source: ESPN Los Angeles | |
Fri Apr 8 2011 | 16:47 | Manny failed drug test during spring training |
According to Joel Sherman of the New York Post, Manny Ramirez failed a drug test during spring training. |
He was notified about one week ago and decided to retire rather than appeal. Ramirez would have faced a 100-game suspension for a second positive test, so the Rays wouldn't have had him back until much later in the summer. For what it's worth, Ramirez probably just kissed any chance of the Hall of Fame goodbye. It will be interesting to see where the Rays go from here, as they could call up Desmond Jennings and move Johnny Damon to designated hitter. Jennings is someone to monitor in mixed leagues right now. |
Source: Joel Sherman on Twitter | |
Fri Apr 8 2011 | 16:21 | 12-time All-Star Manny Ramirez retires |
Major League Baseball announced Friday afternoon that Manny Ramirez has retired. |
Shocking news. Ramirez was recently notified of an issue under MLB's Drug Prevention and Treatment Program. He ultimately decided to retire "rather than continue with the process." Ramirez, a 12-time All-Star, owns a stellar .312/.411/.585 batting line to go along with 555 career home runs and 1,831 RBI. The PED suspension will certainly cloud his legacy, but he will be remembered as one of the most feared right-handed hitters of all-time. |
Source: Ben Shpigel on Twitter | |
Thu Apr 7 2011 | 13:29 | Manny's personal issue an ongoing matter? |
Rays manager Joe Maddon said Thursday that he's not sure if Manny Ramirez's personal matter will be an ongoing issue. |
Ramirez stayed behind in Florida to attend to an undisclosed personal matter. "I don't know," said Maddon. "It's one of those things I think it might be over, but I'm not sure. I'm really not." Ramirez is expected to rejoin the team Friday. |
Source: Tampa Tribune | |
Thu Apr 7 2011 | 11:25 | Ramirez not in Thursday's lineup |
As expected, Manny Ramirez is not in Thursday's lineup against the White Sox. |
Ramirez is away from the team due to "personal reasons," but should be back for Friday's game. Johnny Damon will be the designated hitter Thursday while Sam Fuld leads off and plays left field. |
Source: Marc Topkin on Twitter | |
Wed Apr 6 2011 | 12:03 | Maddon removes Manny from Wednesday's lineup |
Rays manager Joe Maddon said he removed Manny Ramirez from Wednesday's starting lineup because he feels the veteran slugger is "pressing." |
"I believe he's trying to shoulder too much of the burden right now, and I don't want him to do that," said Maddon. "I re-emphasized all the things that I expect out of him and everybody else and I just want to back off a little bit right now. I think I'm seeing he's trying to be too much right now." Ramirez is 1-for-16 to begin the season and heard some boos after striking out three times in Tuesday's loss to the Angels. Ramirez is also expected to miss Thursday's game against the White Sox due to "personal reasons." |
Source: St Petersburg Times | |