Rumored deal that would send enigmatic Manny Ramirez to South Florida may not be in the team’s best interests

SCOTT JACOBS

If you follow baseball, you’ve heard the rumor. The Marlins, Red Sox, and Pirates are talking a blockbuster three team swap that would net Florida Manny Ramirez.

I’m going to say something that might surprise a lot of people: I don’t think Florida should do it.

Forget the fact that Manny is a head-case and he doesn’t run out ground balls or play even a solid outfield. Forget that you never know from one day to the next what Manny will bring to your team, that is, if he tries. Put aside the fact that Ramirez is getting older and finishing up an eight year deal he signed back in 2000 that made him one of the highest paid players in pro sports. Forget that all.

The Marlins should NOT trade for Ramirez. Why you ask? I have my reasons, o I have my reasons.

Reason #1:When you have no expectations it’s a lot easier to play loose and relaxed (especially for a young team)
The Marlins know this better then anyone. Even though they play in South Florida the Marlins regularly finish in the bottom pits of the baseball attendance standings, and their payroll rarely dips above $60 million (this year it’s $21 million, lowest in baseball). The Marlins are the best bang for your buck team in the sport. With the $21 million they are loaded with young arms, and quality hitters. And they lead the league (all of baseball that is) in home runs. So just how are they doing it? Lack of pressure.

Tell me the last time the Marlins were on a national broadcast on ESPN. Can you do it? I can’t. You know why that is? It’s not because the Marlins always stink. In fact, in 2006 the Marlins were in the wild card race much of the year and that was with relocation looming over them. This year they’re the surprise of baseball. They have taken guys like Jorge Cantu and Alfredo Amezega, and have turned them into key contributors. The Marlins get their guys on the cheap, and they have a sensational eye for young talent.

And because the Marlins do things so shrewdly (you can call them cheap if you wish) they avoid the spot-light, because they never seem to have major egos or high paid players on their team (Hanley Ramirez’s deal doesn’t kick in until 2009).

Thus, they are unattractive to ESPN and other national media because they’re not fueled by any one guy.

They play loose and relaxed, because let’s face it: no one expects anything of them. All of a sudden you put a Manny on that team, and the media is all over you. All of a sudden the free-flowing, over-achieving, no pressure Marlins run into a media feeding frenzy. The Marlins are at their best when they do things their way: a few very good players, and a cast of quality guys around them. They have never been known as a dysfunctional group or a divided clubhouse. The guys like each other. They get along. That is a major team dynamic in this day and age. Adding Manny could completely change that.

Reason #2: They can’t resign him after the season is over. If the Marlins picked up Manny’s option for next year (no way in hell that would ever happen if they did acquire him), then he would be making just a million dollars less then Florida’s entire team this year. Even if he settled for a hometown discount (he does have a house in Fort Lauderdale) the Marlins would still be looking at probably $15-17 million a year, and they’re not going to pay that. If a guy like Outfielder Jeremy Hermida is part of the package to get Manny, all of a sudden you’re trading a young number two guy, who’s under contract at a bargain basement price, for a two month rental. Throw in the fact that you know what you’re getting with Hermida (decent batting average, above average power, quality fielding) and you have no idea what Ramirez will choose to bring, and it makes the trade a little dicey for Florida.

Reason #3: The Marlins may not need Manny. They’re in the thick of things in the NL East, just a game and a half back of the Phillies, and they’ve done it with horrendous defense, shaky starting pitching (though it’s been great of late) and a bullpen that is incredibly inconsistent. But here’s the thing. The Marlins have heart. And they’re on a mission: to prove all the doubters wrong. Starting Monday the Marlins take on the Phillies for three games in Philly, and may have a shot at first place by then. And they’ve done it with a superstar who bats less then .200 with RISP (Hanley) and a lot of young guys with a nice mix of veterans.

Florida gets back Anibal Sanchez tomorrow for the first time since 2006, and their starting pitching has dramatically improved of late. Ricky Nolasco has been great, Scott Olsen has been solid, Josh Johnson has been superb since coming back a few weeks ago, and even rookie Chris Volstad has performed admirably.

What the Marlins really need is a catcher that can hit. John Baker and Paul Hoover are probably the worst catching duo in baseball right now, and starter Matt Treanor (who is hurt right now) is far from a consistent threat. Thus, the Marlins should be looking at a quality, on the cheap catcher that can hit, and throw out some runners. Maybe even a lefty setup guy too.

But an outfielder for two months that can hit great, but is the biggest enigma in his sport: that’s not what they need.

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