Having already bolstered their rotation with the signings of free-agent starters CC Sabathia and A.J. Burnett, the Yankees may spare no expense to give Alex Rodriguez a superstar partner in the lineup. The New York Daily News cites a baseball official in its Wednesday editions who says that the Yankees view mercurial free-agent slugger Manny Ramirez as a perfect complement to Rodriguez, much the way Ramirez and David Ortiz terrorized pitchers for the Red Sox. The official believes that the Yankees are "going hard" to sign Ramirez, to the point that they could offer him a three-year deal worth $22-25 million annually.
Two other officials indicate to the News that the Yankees would jump in right away on Ramirez, preferring to watch the market develop in the hopes they could sign him for two years rather than three.
The News also cites a source close to the Yankees, who says that general manager Brian Cashman is lukewarm on Ramirez, but that the front office in general, including Hal and Hank Steinbrenner, is bullish on the left fielder.
Ramirez is widely considered to be among the two most coveted free-agent, along with fellow Scott Boras client Mark Teixeira. Given that Teixeira will be just 29 years old in May and is a Gold Glove-caliber first baseman, he will likely command a longer contract than Ramirez, who is 36. Therefore, it could be that Ramirez and Boras will wait for Teixeira to pick a team, allowing them to negotiate with teams who missed on Teixeira and need a fallback option.
If Teixeira picks the Angels, then the Orioles and Nationals -- who were hoping to land the Maryland native -- may decide not to bid on Ramirez, to whom they have no ties. Considering that Boston is not an option for Ramirez, the Yankees would only have to outbid the Dodgers for the slugger's services.
