Halos Heaven

http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-angels24-2008dec24,0,1392160.story

I understand and did not forget

but the one time hes come out and said anything was that they were done with purusing Texeira and well he is with the Yanks so thats why. But if they do get Man Ram I would not be surprised.

angelskid2210 - February 3, 2009 reply

Although I kind of wish it would happen...

Just as angelskid said Reagins did state that Manny will never be an Angel. Now I wouldn’t want a GM who’s a liar. That’s the reason I’m a fan of the team because to me they’ve been probably the most honest team in baseball.

Not saying that it won’t happen but if it does Reagins better have a good explanation. Manny would be a great fit for the Angels and they should have already signed him.

TheAntiSox - February 3, 2009 reply

Bluffing isn't lying.

The Clyde - February 3, 2009 reply

I think you might be right.

Reagins left a loophole by stating that the Angels “don’t plan to pursue slugger Manny Ramirez”

However, the plan can change.

Thus, it would not be lying.

Downing Rules - February 3, 2009 reply

I wouldn't call it bluffing

“Manny will not be an Angel” and this one, “It will not happen. We are not going to sign Manny Ramirez. End of story.”

Got those quotes from

Definitely would be lying to me.

TheAntiSox - February 3, 2009 reply

Keep the Context in mind there

This was on December 23 (I know the story said 24, but the quotes would have been taken at least on the 23).

Remember what happened that day? Oh, that’s right.

Boras’ entire goal with the Teix thing was to get the disappointed Angels to compensate for themselves by jumping into ANOTHER bidding war over Manny Ramirez.

Reagins knew this.

Reagins basically used this article to tell Boras to go F—- himself and that he wasn’t going to play Scott’s little games.

This had the added effect of driving Manny’s price down.

What self-respecting GM, other than Ned Colletti. would have jumped right into the Manny bidding after being shut out of another player, and fork over massive amounts of $$$$ in the process—-when that very same player could be had for much less $$ on a much tighter leash?

Clutch - February 3, 2009 reply

This all makes a very plausible case

but nevertheless I’d still be shocked if the Angels signed Manny.

Reagins has reiterated the Angels’ utter lack of interest in Manny since December 23 (I don’t recall precisely when, but it was on KLAA either on The Sports Lodge or Angels Clubhouse). I don’t see him contradicting himself unless he can plausibly say that Manny had significantly reduced his demands, and based upon his refusal of the Dodgers’ offers, that is unlikely to happen.

Also, the risk of signing Manny at any sort of a discount is that he will be resentful, and thus far more likely to be the Manny of the 2008 Red Sox than he of the 2008 Dodgers.

No, I think that Reagins genuinely does not want Manny at any price. I’d love to be proven wrong, and to see Manny a happy, productive Angel for the next few years of postseason magic. But I don’t see the Angels taking on that much risk.

rspencer - February 4, 2009 reply

I don't think he'll go after him, either

I’m just responding to the notion that Reagins would be a bald-faced liar if he wound up pursuing the Man-Ram.

Clutch - February 4, 2009 reply

How do you figure

I would think based on these Reagins quotes (listed above in AntiSox’s post)
"Manny will not be an Angel" and this one, "It will not happen. We are not going to sign Manny Ramirez. End of story."

If Reagins signs Manny after having said that, it would make him lose credibility. If I am interpreting this wrong, let me know, but that would make one look like a liar.

Downing Rules - February 4, 2009 reply

agreed. im not quite sure why this post has everyone suddenly thinking it will happen

theres no link or source. its just a hunch by the blog’s editor. If anything, its just gonna leave every here disappointed as if we were pursuing him and lost when really we never were pursuing him at any point ever.

you can comment about the wisdom of not pursuing him, but its hard to get mad when we’ve known for a month and a half we arent involved.

Ouch. Thanks.

I did not remember them as being that definitive.

There's new Reagins material, today, too

On the main site—a video of MLB Network interviewing him via conference call. They get Reagins to reiterate the point several times, ending with Reagins stating: “Manny will not be an Angel.”

Clutch - February 4, 2009 reply

Understood

I was responding to this particular subthread in general, not just specifically to you. I think you made an especially persuasive point bringing up the dates involved. Moreover, I agree that Reagins would not be made a liar by the signing of Man-Ram after his assertions to the contrary. It would seriously undermine his credibility, on the other hand, unless he could show where the situation changed in a way he did not think possible.

rspencer - February 4, 2009 reply

Thanks

Clutch - February 4, 2009 reply

Reagins' assertions that we won't sign Manny:

Just another reason to love him.

ArkAngel - February 4, 2009 reply

Ah heck, I give in...

SIGN HIM.

Hell, if the first Bush can lie about “no new taxes” to the entire nation, then surely Reagins can lie about not being interested in Manny Ramirez.

BRING ON THE CIRCUS!

Downing Rules - February 3, 2009 reply

This sounds like Hugh Hefner's memoirs

“…ah yes, I remember my first bush…”

Mayheminthehood - February 3, 2009 reply

Too much bush in-between to remember I would certainly wager.

Downing Rules - February 3, 2009 reply

Bush? Man Ram? More bush?

I feel dirty.

The Clyde - February 3, 2009 reply

Wasn't that the headline of the fake ad Hustler ran with Jerry Falwell in it, back in the day?

“I remember my first time…” and then it goes on to basically say he lost his virginity to his mother? Either way, good times.

you forgot...

lost virginity while listening to Rage Against the Machine

Dono Romantico - February 3, 2009 reply

To answer your questions

Am I psychic that Manny is on his way here?
Am I delusional or what?

Yes.

Seriously, I don’t think Manny is an Angel.

scareduck - February 3, 2009 reply

Heck

Manny’s the ONE other OF on the market I can stomach making room for in this line-up. You’d still have to shuffle some parts around, but if you can make it work, you do it, I suppose.

This, again, may have worked better if the Halos hadn’t already re-signed Rivera and ostensibly completely defined the outfield for 2009.

That could be what makes Reagins a genius, though. Think about it: He knows Manny’s going to hold out for a good deal. He knows Bor@$$$ wants the Halos to enter a bidding war, like he got them to for Teix. So Reagins tells the media the Halos aren’t biting and closes up shop.

Suddenly it’s the middle of February, or early March, and Spring Training is rolling right along, without Manny, who’s sitting at home watching cartoons, or going to another car show, (OK, not much different here from his usual Spring Training routine), and possibly missing baseball, having rejected the Dodgers multiple times and alienating every other team in baseball.

Then, out of nowhere, Reagins swoops in and magnanimously offers Ramirez a 1-year contract for $40 million (number pulled out of my ass). Manny takes it, is a model of good behavior, belts 50-homeruns,

and the Halos take the World Series in 2.

Do it.

Clutch - February 3, 2009 reply

Kinda like in 02

"Jeff Kent, who built a strong Hall of Fame case while setting the Major League Baseball record for career home runs by a second baseman, will formally announce his retirement Thursday at Dodger Stadium, the Los Angeles Dodgers said.

……
His greatest success came with the Giants, where he played with Barry Bonds. The two players had some famous run-ins, and Kent later tangled with Milton Bradley in Los Angeles. Kent was known for his intense approach to the game and he endorsed improved testing, criticizing players who used performance-enhancing drugs.
He made his only World Series appearance with San Francisco in 2002, hitting three homers as the Giants lost to the then-Anaheim Angels in two games."

That thanks to ESPN, they eventually fixed it.

norcaliangelsfan - February 3, 2009 reply

If they sign him,

Don’t put him in the outfield. DH him.

red floyd - February 3, 2009 reply

Screw it.......I say bring him in..........

gives us a better chance to stick it to the Chowds and Spankies………I’d say Manny would make others (Vlad, Torii) even better too……..

Could you imagine the outfield

of Manny, Torii, Vlad

in 2002?

Not that we would have needed it…

just fyi that would have been:

Manny 33 hr, 107rbi, 0sb, .349/.450/.647

Vlad 39hr, 111rbi, 40sb, .336/.417/.573

Torii 29hr, 94rbi, 23sb, .289/.334/.524

The only way this happens

Is if Boras goes up to Arte, and says, “Here’s the contract. All we need is your signature.” No way in hell they get into any kind of negotiation.

Interesting to look at the Dodger quotes on this — stuff about how “the player’s agent is frustrating to deal with.” I’ll say. I respect Boras’ doing-a-job bit, and I’m a big Manny fan, but I would be pleased to see the Dodgers pull an Arte on him and say “the offer is withdrawn, good-bye.” That kind of uncertainty is just crazy-making; you can’t make plans. I would like to see Boras punished by the market for this kind of behavior.

mattwelch - February 3, 2009 reply

and that is certainly not out of the question

All that I wonder is whether or not Arte is still butthurt from the Tex negotiations.

We absolutely need him

But I don’t see us signing him, unfortunately. But I do think that there was something behind Reagins’ reasoning when he flat-out said that they would not be negotiating.

442 - February 3, 2009 reply

No way.

It would block GMJ playing time.

panther

What it will take to sign Manny: The Boras Conditions

Dear Mr. Moreno,

The following conditions must be met if my client is to even remotely consider playing for your team.

1) 8 year, $256 million contract
2) After Manny retires from baseball he is to be paid $10 million per year for 25 years.
3) 51% ownership stake in the Angels
4) Change the team name to the Mannaheim Angels
5) Three picture deal with Paramount
6) Three album deal with Universal Music
7) Weekly TV series on Fox (guaranteed minimum of at least 50 episodes). Tentatively titled, "That’s My Manny!"
8) Hud, Phyz, Gooby and Rory are all obliged to promote “That’s My Manny!” prior to the start of each half inning.
9) 7 Del Taco franchises
10) Theo Epstein punching bag. Except it will actually be Theo Epstein.
11) Reduce the outfield dimensions of Angel Stadium. Currently it’s 330 down the LF line, 387 to straightaway left and 400 to center. Reconfigure to 295 down the LF line, 340 to straightaway left and 375 to center. Walls to be padded with extra thick light blue velour.
12) Any fan who boos Manny will be banned from the stadium, thrown in jail, and forced to watch “The Best of Canadian Curling” for 15 hours.
13) A diamond tiara, a pink Cadillac Escalade, and a full length fur coat for Jon Heyman
14) Manny is allowed to piss anywhere, anytime.
15) Official scorer can never charge Manny with an error.
16) Porn on demand.

This is part 1 of the contract conditions. Parts 2, 3, and 4 will follow.

Yours truly,

Scott Boras
The Scott Boras Corporation

XYZ123 - February 3, 2009 reply

Wasn't there a post just like this a month or two ago?

I had to expand on the conditions for Manny

My original post included Tex and Derek Lowe. While they have both signed, here it is in February and Manny is still a free agent.

XYZ123 - February 3, 2009 reply

Gotcha

Thought I was crazy for a second.

he's going to the dodgers

this is where you all get your hopes up one last time and get let down.

colletti and mccourt even said theyre still going after him. that 1 year deal wasnt their last offer.

so ya, youre more delusional than psychic

well if you are right it would not be the first time i was called that

Instant

Rim-Shot

Clutch - February 3, 2009 reply

I vote for delusional.

In late July, Manny did his semi-dive-roll-around-get-up-dive-again-roll-around-lay-an-egg-laugh-his-ass-off-while-Izzy went-to-3B routine in front of all Angel front office decision-makers.
I doubt this has been forgotten, especially with the memory of Jose “Angry Helmet Toss Olympic Champ” Guillen in mind.
I think the front office has looked at…
1) Manny’s past behavior.
2) The general economy and specifically season ticket sales.
3) The level of talent in the Angels organization.
4) The divisional competition.
5) Manny’s agent.

…and decided there is no way in hell he will ever be in an Angel uniform…not in 2009 anyway.

He has a better chance of playing for the Seibu Lions than for the Angels in 2009..

sothball - February 3, 2009 reply

Also

1) Manny’s ability to hit in the postseason
2) Manny’s grudge against the Red Sawk
3) Manny’s ability to make a above average team an instant WS favorite
4) Ticket Sales (season and otherwise) skyrocket
5) Significantly more national media attention
6) The DH spot.

AND...

the face of Theo Epstein when Manny Ramirez slams a homer to beat the Red Sox in an Angels uniform.

Chzburger Jones - February 4, 2009 reply

The money I would pay

to see someone hit a series ending homer off of Papelboner.

LosAngel - February 3, 2009 reply

Rec'd

lmao. I always used Papsmear as the generic Papelbon insult but Papelboner tops that easily.

papelboner & half-masterson = bill simmons

I would unload my ever deflating 401(k) for that.

#2 really is a good thing. You know he will bring it in October.

Money

Jersey sales of Manny in red would almost make up for the contract alone. Add that to season ticket sales and national media attention, you can see this more as a business signing than anything else.

Sign him for 2-3 years, you might be able to land your own TV Network Arte.

i'm not saying this because i don't want it to happen

i just really dont want to get sucked in to thinking it will happen only to get let down. I almost feel like tomorow the times will have a quote from Tony re-iterating how we’re not interested

I hear you howie (see what I did there)

Someone who is so clutch and drives in RBIs like a cop drives donuts into his mouth while hiding in a bush waiting for speeders is SO needed on this team it hurts my soul.

But offseasons with the Angels are the antithesis of Yankee offseasons, just got to expect absolutely nothing to happen, and when it does, rejoice.

I would buy one

The lineup would be so amazing.

Before After

Figgins Figgins
Kendrick Kendrick
Vlad Vlad
Hunter Manny
Rivera Hunter
Napoli Rivera
Morales Napoli
GMJ Morales
Aybar/Wood Aybar/Wood

Huge difference of feel and strength.

Well, that didnt post how I wanted it to.

weird look

like the angels are a team with some siamese twins in the lineup…

Imagine the effectiveness and sheer horrible baserunning skills of

a Vlad/Manny hybrid. Somehow that monster would be thrown out after hitting a homerun.

Or we make baseball into a three legged race

all the players tied together at the legs! Imagine the damage it would do on the basepaths with all those slides!

teopeht - February 3, 2009 reply

nope

I DON’T WANT HIM.

All I want this offseason is for Manny to sign for less than 20M a season, the less the better.

We need another hitter, but not this one that is about to drive off a cliff.

elricsi - February 3, 2009 reply

But think of the fake dreadlock sales at the Angels store!

or a dreadlocked rally monkey

Or Sosh

by contract, has to grow some dreads.

Kids would love that

SocalAngelFaninOC - February 3, 2009 reply

Didn't Albert Pujols

or somebody publish a comment about how Manny calls him every 3 days and says : “Hey man, NOBODY wants to sign me” ??

Wouldn’t that just be the beginning of great poetic justice in Baseball that would corral these stupid, stupid $$$ contracts??

Hopefully the NYY will look stupid for signing their $423 million / 3 guys contracts

yankees will sign someone to 9.1 M contract so that they will have shelled out

432.1 M this offseason

anaheim angels - February 3, 2009 reply

Pujols yep. He wanted the Cards to squeze him.

That 1-2 punch makes Manny Ortiz look tame

fuck it...lets just show up the Yanks

and offer him 180 over ONE YEAR. Take that Steinbrenner. Let’s see whose got some cash now bitch!

norcaliangelsfan - February 3, 2009 reply

lol rec'd

BTW, i am sorely disappointed that Seibu Lions did not get a tag in this post

KendrickExperience - February 3, 2009 reply

I'm with ya Rev

I love Reagins, but what advantage does it give the organization, one that desperately needs a proven post-season bat, to publicly declare that you’re not interested in one of the greatest bats in the past 25 years?

Let’s go get him!!!

in theory, the advantage was to keep posts like this one from being made

he said he owed it to Angel fans to not let them expect something that would not happen. Then he said he wants the kids to play. Teixeira was pricey, but he was also a long-term solution. Manny isnt a long term solution. I’d love to see the guy here, but it seems clear to me at least that they want to build the team long term by developing the young guys into everyday regulars. I wouldnt be surprised if Arte wanted to trim payroll a tad either.

one word

ICK

ladybug - February 3, 2009 reply

as cool as his numbers would be

i just don’t see it.

and that makes me sad.

howiestheman - February 3, 2009 reply

It just won't happen

Can you really see Manny as being the new face of this franchise? Can anyone see this turning into Manaheim for ONE season before he gives up, grows apathetic, crumbles into charcoal, starts grabbing personnel by the neck or throwing them to the ground, blocking the plumbing with towels, or hiding under the rocks to play Gameboy?

Zoe Necrosis - February 3, 2009 reply

I agree...

I will not stand having to see Manny be the new face of the franchise!! I just don’t see him as an Angel and he goes totally against the team culture!. His stats are great and could definitely help the line up, buut like you said, his apathetic character would soon rise…. I cant wait to see how this all turns out!

AngelsGirl - February 3, 2009 reply

Welcome

AngelsGirl!

AngelKeith - February 4, 2009 reply

Blecch.

ArkAngel - February 3, 2009 reply

Intelligent

AND to the point.

Thank you for contributing to Halos Heaven! Your continued excellence illuminates the way for younger, newer bloggers who continue to look to your posts for sustained excellence and witty comments.

I, personally, take you as my web blog hero. Please, send me an email to tell me exactly how you exhibit such poise and maintain such an aura of knowledge as you post with such undeniable grace.

http://soxblog.projo.com/2009/01/manny-finally-g.html

and you said I was a douche?!

howiestheman - February 4, 2009 reply

I take everything back

can we still be friends or was our breakup too nasty?

PhiSlamma - February 4, 2009 reply

i just don't know

how am i supposed to look at you and not remember everything that was said??? :P

howiestheman - February 5, 2009 reply

Heh. Wow.

I was trying to stay out of this one this time. Most people around here know by now how I feel about the Angels signing Manny. I’ve made my point and I didn’t want to belabor it.

Now though, I find myself slain by your sarcasm. Woe.

ArkAngel - February 4, 2009 reply

This decision to PERSUE Manny

will be based solely upon 2 things: what Choakland does & If they feel they are getting Manny at “the price they like”.

Dono Romantico - February 3, 2009 reply

Not Sure if I saw this on here

But htis is pretty funny

halofan1 - February 3, 2009 reply

Your Post is Funny Rev

The first word in the first 5 lines says it all:

He He He He He

Dono Romantico - February 3, 2009 reply

Actually that would be

Manny Manny Manny He He

if you include the headline, of course.

That could be interpreted as:

Manny stating, “Manny Manny Manny” – as in, “it’s all about me.”

And every MLB front office responding, “He He” – as in, “you’re a f***ing joke, dude.”

autry's cowboys - February 4, 2009 reply

If being a fan is about wanting to be entertained...

…then yes I’m all for it. Because, there’s no doubt, it’d be entertaining.

If part of running a successful sports team is about minimising the non-sporting distractions, so that the whole roster can get on with their job, then you’d have to think our resident Japanese-style assassin is going to think twice about it.

The Limey - February 4, 2009 reply

He's just as likely to go to the Seibu Lions as the Angels

stolenbases - February 4, 2009 reply

He wants too much

And if he doesn’t get what he wants, he won’t be happy.

vladtheimpaler - February 4, 2009 reply

It just makes too much sense

this would absolutely bury the Dodgers….their fans would be so damned demoralized that they would like like a sorority girl after a night of wine coolers followed by a morning of the “walk of shame”. Yes, Manny can be a nightmare, but his upside and well tempered Manny is tough to beat….his presence in the post season would be unbelievable. So what’s his walk-up song? My money is on Eek A Mouse, Wa Do Dem.

ENTER THE NINJA

This is the part in the movie where we watch the ninja prepare for battle, as we lick our lips in anticipation for the triumphant ass-kicking finale! SIGN HIM.

yeswecan - February 4, 2009 reply

Still too soon.

Right now Boras is still on the offensive with the negotiating mindshare. He is slipping, but still in the lead. Hindsight suggests that Arte does not allow players or agents to gain the upper hand within his idea of an organization. Better to wait for Boras to move to defense as he loses more and more leverage against the Dodgers, then step in with roses and “save” Manny from the Giants, or sitting out the season, etc.

Stirrups - February 4, 2009 reply

I don't know what to make of all this.

On the one hand, I fear that the young guns will fail to step up and our offense will be even more terrible than last year. When those thoughts creep into my mind, my gut instinct is to sign another bat. Manny certainly is the best offensive force out there, and his post-season reputation makes him all that much more appealing.

On the other hand, I feel like this is the year that Howie is going to stay healthy, Wood is going to have some consistency at the plate and find his power stroke at the major league level, Kendry will prove himself with the opportunity to play everyday, and Aybar will continue to develop his major league skills. All that being said, signing that self-absorbed jack-ass makes me fear a crappy clubhouse situation, a la Jimmy Edmonds and Jose Guillen.

I just don’t see Manny embodying ‘Angel Baseball’ and I just don’t see Tony or Arte dropping $50 million on a guy we quite possible don’t even need to win. This is going to be the year that guys get to prove themselves. And if some of them don’t, we have room to make moves at the deadline.

deejayelleseven - February 4, 2009 reply

lets get Manny!!!!!!!!

the fact of thr matter is he would make our lineup so much better…look what he did with the Dodgers…and the Angels are ten times the team they are. we are going to be first round clowns ever year if we dont beef up the middle of our lineup.

surfpunk - February 4, 2009 reply

Yep get it done Arte+Tony

Just in case anyone missed it, Tony was on MLB network today and shot it down again

said they had an organizational meeting before free agency and determined all the way back then that they werent going to pursue manny. They want Kendry to play everyday and felt Rivera completed the outfield.

If you ask me, they want to cut payroll and build long term

said theyre done acquiring players

Say hello Kendry & Wood

the direct quote

“I cant be any more clear: Manny won’t be an Angel”

They even asked him twice to make sure