Los Angeles, CA (My Sportsbook) - Slugger Manny Ramirez has turned down a one-year, $25 million contract offer by the Los Angeles Dodgers. Earlier Monday night several media outlets reported the offer, which was the Dodgers' latest attempt to keep the left fielder. But early Tuesday team spokesman Josh Rawitch wrote in an e-mail to several media outlets that agent Scott Boras notified general manager Ned Colletti of the decision to reject the offer. In November the Dodgers offered Ramirez the second-highest annual salary in the majors, behind New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez with a two-year, $45 million package, but there was no response by Boras, the agent of the 12-time All-Star and MVP of the 2004 World Series. Ramirez, who is an unrestricted free agent, just completed an eight-year, $160 million contract he signed with Boston in 2001. The Dodgers acquired the slugger from the Red Sox on July 31, and Ramirez led LA to the NL Championship Series before losing to World Series champion Philadelphia. The Dodgers offered Ramirez arbitration, but he declined, hence the stalemate. The Los Angeles Times reports Boras is asking for a four-year contract with an option for a fifth at more than $20 million annually. Ramirez hit .396 with 17 homers and 53 RBI in just 53 games after joining the Dodgers. He batted .299 with 20 homers and 68 RBI in 100 contests for Boston in 2008. |
