Brother, Can You Spare A Dime?

At this point in my life I'm very certain I can make this prediction. No one is going to offer me 25 million dollars for one year of work. I do play the Mega Millions lottery game and should I ever get that lucky, it really wouldn't count as working, now would it?

In this economy, hell, any economy, even if grocery stores were allowing you to fill a cart up for free for a year, even if the bank said you don't have to pay your mortgage for five years, even if your credit card debt was at zero again, even if the IRS said "My bad", even if hookers were giving it away - 25 million dollars for one year of work is a helluva lot of money!

Unless you're Manny Ramirez.

Without question, Ramirez is one of the best hitters of the modern era not linked to a banned substance. He's put together 16 solid seasons in the big leagues, amassing 527 home runs, a .314 batting average and two World Series rings with the Boston Red Sox before he wore out his welcome, acquiring the label "That's just Manny being Manny." After seven and a half seasons with the Red Sox, Ramirez was dealt to the Los Angeles Dodgers last season and put up numbers that registered on the baseball Richter scale. In 53 games Ramirez blasted 17 homers, produced 53 RBIs and batted a blistering .396. Oh, and don't let me forget to add a freakish .743 slugging percentage. That was more like "Manny being Hercules." Needless to say, Dodger stadium and the Hollywood crowd embraced all things Manny as he led the club to the National League Championship Series.

Ramirez also proved all his Red Sox detractors wrong by being a positive influence in the Dodger dugout for the organization's talented core of youngsters in Matt Kemp, James Loney and Andre Ethier.

With the start of spring training, Ramirez was wherever "Manny being Manny" goes to relax. It certainly wasn't anywhere near the Dodgers' training facility in Glendale, Arizona.

Ramirez is currently a free agent, the most talented prize still without a home. The only obstacle to Ramirez being in camp right now is his perceived worth. At the end of last season, Ramirez's agent Scott Boras let everyone know his prized possession was seeking a four-year deal worth 100 million dollars. If Ramirez was 28 or 32 years old, there might have been a line for his services. But Ramirez will turn 37 in May and sooner or later, that bat is going to start feeling a bit heavy.

In November of '08, the Dodgers offered a guaranteed 45 million for two years. It included an option for a third year that could have increased the contract's total value to 60 million. Ramirez whiffed at the offer and when there were no other takers, the Dodgers came back with 25 million for one year. Boras called the offer a "suggestion" and said Ramirez would pass, indicating the Dodgers were playing a dangerous game because another team could counter at any moment with a more attractive deal.

Ramirez is still unsigned.

When he broke into the majors in 1993 with the Cleveland Indians, Ramirez earned 109 thousand dollars. Back then he was just "Manny trying to make a living Manny."

The Dodgers are maintaining they're willing to stand pat with their current lineup, having also passed on the chance to sign former free agents Bobby Abreu (Angels) and Adam Dunn (Nationals).

As manager Joe Torre watched his players in camp during the first week, it wasn't lost on him that the most valuable piece of his team down the stretch last season was absent. "I don't even want to think of the fact that he's not a Dodger," Torre said. "I just don't want to think that way. The fact that I know he enjoyed himself here last year and the fact that we want him back, hopefully, we can find a way to do it."

In this economy, it's awfully nice to be wanted. Even if it's a mere twenty-five million dollars for a future Hall of Famer.