Looks like Manny Ramirez is going out West to see if he can resume his playing career. Once again, the Oakland Athletics are in the headlines when it comes to signing a free agent player.
Of course, the Orioles did engage in talks with Ramirez; however, they backed off — wisely — on the slugger.
OAKLAND, Calif. — Former All-Star slugger Manny Ramirez has agreed to a minor-league deal with the Oakland A’s, ESPN reported Monday.
CBSSports.com also reported that Ramirez, who abruptly announced his retirement last April after testing positive for banned substances for the second time in his career, will join the A’s organization.
Ramirez’s deal, worth $500,000, according to ESPN, is a far cry from the slugger’s more than $22 million salary earned in 2004 with the Boston Red Sox.
Ramirez still faces a 50-game suspension for violating the league’s drug policy, meaning the earliest he could suit up for the A’s is June 2, just days after his 40th birthday.
At this point, I don’t know why a team would consider signing Ramirez. I’m sure he can still hit; however, why give Ramirez at-bats that could be used to develop a younger player?
