The Fallout: Manny Ramirez

He looks so svelte.

So, Mark Teixeira just signed a huge contract, and the biggest free-agent left is Manny Ramirez. The thing is most people believe there is no market for him. His reputation and age (mostly his age and poor defensive skills) are making people shy away from him, but is the market for him really that bad? I think this is a classic case of him over-pricing himself. He and Boras misread the market, and now, they'll have to backpedal a little. Few teams could even begin to afford that giant contract (Dodgers, Angels, Yankees, Mets, and Red Sox), but as his demands slide closer to $18M, more teams can get involved (Braves, Nationals, Orioles, Giants, Mariners). When his demands slide, the other teams will get involved, and the price will go back up. Granted, it won't reach the $25M, but it should at least get back to around $20M. Who makes sense for Ramirez?

Dodgers: They are still the most likely landing spot for Manny. It becomes more likely as the Mets get closer to signing Lowe. They still need a power-hitter in that lineup, and with the lost salaries of Lowe and Furcal, they have some money to spend. However, with other teams in the NL West seemingly scaling back (Rockies, Padres, DBacks), do they feel they need to spend to get Ramirez? Getting him makes them the favorite.

Angels: If they get him, they need to get rid of an outfielder. I don't think they're interested anymore, but adding him would give him their power-hitter. However, no other team in the AL West really looks like they'll give them a run this next season, so they should just throw the money at Lackey.

Yankees: I want to say they're out of it, but can you say that? Are you ready to say they're done spending? They have to many OF/DH guys now, and need to get rid of one (Nady or Swisher to Atlanta?) to make room for Teixeira. I don't think they'll get involved.

Red Sox: Ha ha ha ha ha. Or to be more in the spirit, ho ho ho ho ho.

Braves: Why do I see Wren making an overreaction move here? He makes sense for Atlanta. They need a LF. They need a power-hitter. They have the money. Hopefully, they trade for Nady before anything bad happens because I could really see this happening.

Mets: Minaya was reportedly told that he could not go for Manny. Good idea. They don't need offense and Lowe is a much better fit.

Nationals: Bowden really likes him, but are they still willing to spend on him? Now that the Tex thing is over, look for the Nationals to get involved on Manny. Getting him makes them the fourth-best team in the NL East ... maybe. I see this as a real chance.

Orioles: They have a glut of outfielders, but they could move Huff to first and put Manny at DH. It makes the Orioles the fourth-best team in the AL East. I'm not sure they'd do it, though, and they probably shouldn't.

Giants: They wanted to throw a lot of money at CC, but they didn't really need pitching. They still need a big bat, and they still have pitching. Getting him may make them the best team in the NL West. Not sure if they want to give him that much money to roam out in that big outfield, but they might think about it when the price comes down.

Mariners: This is more of a long-shot. They need to get rid of some salary, but they have an opening at DH. If they get him, they can make a run at the Angels. Probably not much of one, but they could make it closer. I think they're waiting in the weeds, but they'd have to get rid of an Ichiro or Beltre to make it possible.

As for Manny's threat to retire, he won't. He's proud, but he wants money, too. You don't make $20M sitting on your butt.