Can One Player Really Make A Difference?

Although Manny Ramirez remains unsigned and turned down the Dodgers one-year offer, the two sides have not given up on each other. The Dodgers owner really wants Manny back and Manny is not going to find more money anywhere else. The thing that is holding Manny back is the length of the contract. He feels that he deserves more than a one-year deal, but the Dodgers are hesitant to give it to him because of his lack of effort in the past.

Although Manny has been known to take plays off, most notably anything he hits on the ground, he is one of the most feared hitters in the game today and that cannot be overlooked. He may not be the ideal guy that a team wants—he comes with baggage—but just like Terrell Owens, he is a game changer. You always have a chance to win the game when he steps up to the plate. His ability to make mid-at-bat adjustments is incredible. And he seems to continue at a Hall of Fame pace even though he isn’t getting younger by the day (he will be 37 in May).

So the Dodgers need to weigh their options and figure out what is best for the team. Although I’m not a Manny fan in the least, I know what a special player he is and how vital he can be to a team with his bat. I think that the Dodgers should sacrifice his lackluster effort for what he can bring to the team offensively.

With Ramirez in the lineup, the team would have a perfect blend of power and speed. Juan Pierre and Rafael Furcal would get on base for the big hitters, Matt Kemp, Ramirez, and James Loney to drive them in. Without Ramirez, the Dodgers lack a true power threat that is crucial late in games and throughout the entire season. The pitching staff is solid with ace Chad Billingsley coming off a 16-win season, Cub killer Hiroki Kuroda, 20-year old phenom Clayton Kershaw, recently signed Randy Wolf, and possibly the injured Jason Schmidt rounding out the rotation. The bullpen is stocked with power arms led by the 290-pound presence, Jonathan Broxton.

This team (and Ramirez) showed maturity in the 2008 playoffs by knocking off one of the most balanced teams in the league. I don’t know if they will be able to do it again without Ramirez. So although I know it drives managers crazy when Manny pulls one of his stunts, it drives other managers equally crazy to see the man step up to the plate as the winning run. Because when push comes to shove, Ramirez will be that guy to clutch up and win the game.