Billy Beane is continuing to strut his stuff.
When you go get a phenom young talent from Cuba–Yoenis Cespedes–it is helpful to have someone around to serve as a mentor. Someone who you wouldn’t have to pay a lot, but who commands attention, serves the box office well, and if they bust, they bust and you’re not out an absurd amount of cash…you know…like the Dodgers.
(Seriously, Frank. That was a great deal, signing Manny. If ever, oh ever, a douche bag was, Mr. McCourt was one, because…)
Manny Ramirez was reinstated by the league, but he’s gotta do some time for a crime. He had his second PED bust dropped to a 50 game suspension, which he’ll serve in the A’s farm system. This will allow him to get comfortable without expectation, fill seats for the affiliate clubs, mentor–and I use that term loosely–young players and see if he’ll be worth his salt when he gets back to the show…if he gets back to the show. He’ll no doubt finally cycle into the role of DH.
Ultimately, it’s a winner for Oakland. This is the way they do things, and occasionally, they slip into playoff contention. I could see this year being a possibility, simply considering the excessive chatter about Texas and Anaheim. However, it’s more of a move to sell tickets, with the guarantee that they’ll pay Ramirez no more than half-a-mil. Only in such a scenario could you easily argue that the juice is worth the squeeze.
