Via The Nosebleeds:
In yet another chapter of “One Of My Childhood Idols Agreeing To Play In A Foreign Country I Didn’t Even Know Had Sports,” former Red Sox outfielder Manny Ramirez signed with the EDA Rhinos of the China Professional League in Taiwan.
Ramirez, 41, was hoping to be signed to an MLB roster this season but hasn’t found work in the league since being released by the Oakland Athletics last year and, according to Manny’s agent Barry Praver, no American League GMs are interested in bringing Manny aboard as a potential DH for 2013.
The terms of Ramirez’s contract with the Rhinos haven’t been made public, but information gathered by ESPNdeportes.com show that usually a good foreign player earns about $12,000 a month in Taiwan. Not exactly the riches Manny earned in the States now, is it?
It’s certainly not a surprise that nobody is willing to take a chance on Manny, despite his 555 home runs and a .996 career OPS. He’s never really been an athletic specimen and he’s only getting older, plus he comes with all his “Manny Being Manny” baggage and two past PED suspensions.
MLB teams still have until March 7 to extend a tryout for Ramirez but, let’s face it, that probably won’t happen. The last time we saw him get Major League action was with the Rays in 2011, when he went 1 for 17 before being slapped with his second suspension. I think it’s safe to say we won’t see him play here again, and that’s something that is a big blow to my childhood baseball memories.
Original Story:
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February 26, 2013
