Let Manny Be....Someone Else's Headache

The Dodgers are reportedly sufficiently giddy over their acquisition of Manny Ramirez that they are talking about attempting to sign him after the season ends. In his first 119 at-bats, during which time LA has reoccupied the top of the NL West standings, Manny has clubbed 11 home runs and sports a nifty .403/.500/.748 line. He has patroled left field with gusto and verve. He has also behaved in the clubhouse in a manner approximating adulthood.

The Dodgers would be playing the role of fly in Manny's spider web. Ramirez is playing for that next contract, which will probably require something in the vicinity of four years and $80 million. That next contract is what seems to motivate him to light it up on the field and exercise self-control off it.

Once the season is complete and the t's are crossed on an agreement for 2009-2012, he will find it difficult not to revert to "being Manny." (It worked a lot better for John Malkovch.) Perhaps for a year he will slug like the Hall of Fame talent he is. Perhaps while torturing opposing pitchers he will limit his outfield antics to a tolerable level of complacency and maintain a confounding but ultimately benign air of irresponsibility. But then a couple of things are going to happen that will make Ned Colleti rue the contract offer.

First, Manny will age. He plays next year at age 37. He will slowly fade from all-time great to merely very good with the stick. His full effort will be required just to retain his general level of fielding ineptitude. His joie de vivre on the basepaths will lead to outs rather than joie.

Manny's greatness gone, management will find its patience for his off-field antics suddenly diminished. But with success on the field more elusive, Manny will struggle to continue acting unnaturally normal. Friends, it will get ugly. Imagine the pouting when Joe Torre pinch hits for him or inserts a rookie in the lineup in his sport. A $20 or $40 or $60 million albatross will hover over Chavez Ravine.

If a pennant-ready team can withstand his act and sign him for a year or two without breaking the bank, he might be a worthwhile investment. But for what it will probably take to secure his services, not signing Manny will turn out to be the best off-season move they make. You heard it here first.