Orioles, A’s, Blue Jays reported to have interest in Manny Ramirez
PUBLISHED Saturday, Feb 4, 2012 at 7:33 am EST
LAST UPDATED 5 hours and 20 minutes ago
Staff report
Sporting News Text size
The Baltimore Orioles remain interested in free-agent DH Manny Ramirez, but there are multiple issues that must be addressed before they would offer him a contract, The Baltimore Sun reports.
“Manny is looking for a second chance,” Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette told the newspaper. “I think it is a good story, but that’s about all I can say about it right now.”
Manny Ramirez still is subject to a 50-game suspension for testing positive for PEDs if he does return. (AP Photo)
Interestingly, Duquette was the general manager of the Boston Red Sox in 2001 when they signed him to a six-year, $120 million contract.
A recent ESPN Deportes report listed the Orioles, Oakland A’s and Toronto Blue Jays as the teams with the most interest in Ramirez, who will turn 40 in May.
"The Orioles and Blue Jays saw Manny work and Baltimore liked what it saw, but Oakland has been the team that has expressed the most interest, even before having him work out," a source told ESPN in January.
Even if he signs with a team this spring, Ramirez will have to sit out the first 50 games of the 2012 season as a result of a second positive test for performance-enhancing drugs. Ramirez, who began the 2011 season with the Tampa Bay Rays, “retired” after playing only five games last season once notified of those test results, which originally carried a 100-game suspension. Ramirez was suspended 50 games for his first failed test in 2009 while with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Ramirez recently spoke of wanting to return to clear his name and be a role model.
"I want to show people that Manny can change, that he can do the right thing," he told ESPN. "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 is a career .312 hitter with 555 homers and 1,831 RBIs in his 19-season major league career. He is a 12-time All-Star and was the MVP of the 2004 World Series with the Red Sox.
PUBLISHED Saturday, Feb 4, 2012 at 7:33 am EST
LAST UPDATED 5 hours and 20 minutes ago
Staff report
Sporting News Text size
The Baltimore Orioles remain interested in free-agent DH Manny Ramirez, but there are multiple issues that must be addressed before they would offer him a contract, The Baltimore Sun reports.
“Manny is looking for a second chance,” Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette told the newspaper. “I think it is a good story, but that’s about all I can say about it right now.”
Manny Ramirez still is subject to a 50-game suspension for testing positive for PEDs if he does return. (AP Photo)
Interestingly, Duquette was the general manager of the Boston Red Sox in 2001 when they signed him to a six-year, $120 million contract.
A recent ESPN Deportes report listed the Orioles, Oakland A’s and Toronto Blue Jays as the teams with the most interest in Ramirez, who will turn 40 in May.
"The Orioles and Blue Jays saw Manny work and Baltimore liked what it saw, but Oakland has been the team that has expressed the most interest, even before having him work out," a source told ESPN in January.
Even if he signs with a team this spring, Ramirez will have to sit out the first 50 games of the 2012 season as a result of a second positive test for performance-enhancing drugs. Ramirez, who began the 2011 season with the Tampa Bay Rays, “retired” after playing only five games last season once notified of those test results, which originally carried a 100-game suspension. Ramirez was suspended 50 games for his first failed test in 2009 while with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Ramirez recently spoke of wanting to return to clear his name and be a role model.
"I want to show people that Manny can change, that he can do the right thing," he told ESPN. "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 is a career .312 hitter with 555 homers and 1,831 RBIs in his 19-season major league career. He is a 12-time All-Star and was the MVP of the 2004 World Series with the Red Sox.
