MLB: Could Ramirez Be On The Losing End?

Slugger Manny Ramirez’ days are essentially over in Cleveland. The Indians recently pulled back their seven-year, $119 million-dollar offer to sign free agent Ellis Burks for significantly less money.

Burks, who hit .344 with 24 home runs for the San Francisco Giants, signed a $20 million dollar, three-year deal, and will most likely replace Ramirez in right field. Burks will also be used at FH, where he will get to rest his 36-year-old knees.

The Indians offered Ramirez a deal worth $17 mil per season, but he rejected their offer. Ramirez’ agent, Jeff Moorad, set the price at $200 million over 10 years.

Had Ramirez accepted the Indians' deal, they could have still pursued a much-needed pitcher.

Now, with the signing of Burks, the Indians may have lost the ability to re-sign Ramirez. This may potentially cost Ramirez the expected payday he and his agent were pursuing.

So who will step in and give Ramirez the big free agent money he was seeking?

One team, which figured to hit the market early for Ramirez, was the New York Yankees. But they inked Mike Mussina yesterday for $88.5 million.

And, they have already shored up their outfield by re-signing RF Paul O’Neil to a one-year, $6.5 million contract. The Yankees also exercised their option to OF Glenallen Hill for $1.5 million.

Another team, which was in need of an outfielder, was the Atlanta Braves. But they appear to have fixed their problem from within. With OF Brian Jordan rumored to be on his way out of Atlanta, the Braves could then move 3B Chipper Jones to the outfield.

The Braves are still trying to sign a big name free agent. SS Alex Rodriguez could be a possibility. Another possibilty with the bad year pitcher Kevin Millwood had is to bring in pitching ace Mike Hampton.

Still yet another team rumored to be interested in Ramirez also appears not be interested. The Seattle Mariners signed Japanese phenom Ichiro Suzuki, 27, to a three-year contract estimated to be around $21 million. While not a definite, this appears to have realistically closed the door to Ramirez becoming a Mariner.

Who then will give Ramirez the big bucks?

Well so far there hasn’t been a bidding war. Maybe there won’t be. Maybe Ramirez played his hand and his bluff was called. With spring training only three months away, we’ll soon see if Ramirez’s greed has cost him the big free agent payday he was looking for.