Over the weekend, Manny Ramirez was reinstated from the retirement list, and his 100 game ban was reduced to 50. This brings up the question of: Who wants to take a shot at Manny Ramirez?
Is it time for Manny to wear the #24 again for the Tribe? It is well known the Indians will have a hole in the outfield this upcoming season. Why not take a shot at the aging slugger? He would be a relatively low-cost player, who we have the money to take a chance on. Manny is still the kind of player who pitchers MUST respect, because if they get lazy he will take them yard.
The next question would be, Where would he fit? Well actually, Cleveland has reported they will be willing to try Michael Brantley at first base (a position he played in the minors). If Brantley doesn't play first, he very well could be starting center fielder to start next season. If Manny were able to produce offensively, I guess I could be okay with his diminishing defensive ability. I mean, he couldn't look as bad as Adam Dunn out there right?
I believe signing Manny could be a low-risk investment that could have a bigger upside than downside. When he had his melt-down last year that led to his early retirement, he wasn't in the right state of mind. Manny will come back from his 50 game ban next year, a new player, knowing he needs to get things together if he wants to stay in the majors. The days of "Manny being Manny" are over. He knows his time in the majors is running short and he needs to get it together.
I would like to see the "Manny and Manny" show in Cleveland next year, and believe it could happen. The possibility of Manny ending it where it all started will fall on what Cleveland does in the offseason. We will just have to wait to see what pieces will be added to this puzzle in the 2012 season, but until then, all we can do is speculate.
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