Dodger Rumor Mill: Manny Ramirez Headed to L.A?

Is Manny Headed to the Dodgers?

Our friends at SI.com are reporting that the Dodgers are in the early stages of discussions to get Manny Ramirez to L.A..

Ramirez could certainly bring a bat to the table, but Dodger Stadium has a very different outfield than Fenway. In addition, if the Dodgers can’t get value from Ramirez and if he continues to demand contract extensions, will they have wasted a prospect for some more power at the plate? Dodger management has consistently said throughout this trade season that they are happy with their young prospects and that trades aren’t necessary to their plan for this season.

Casey Blake, however, has proven that the Dodgers are definitely interested in strategic acquisitions and capturing value today at the expense of some unknown future value (in the form of minor leaguers).

But does Manny Ramirez bring much to the table? His defense has certainly been less than stellar as of late, and he has been known to remove himself from the Red Sox lineup for any number of reasons – neither of these issues makes Ramirez seem very reliable in the second half of the year. Then again, perhaps a change of scenery and a chance to boost his value in the midst of contract extension talk would get things done.

No matter what the probability of Ramirez heading our way, the Dodgers should emphatically REFUSE to send Matt Kemp or Andre Ethier to the Sox. Cash and/or a prospect are the only items of value that the boys in blue should be willing to part with – and even that cost may ultimately be too high…