Manny Ramirez Signs One-Year Deal With Texas Rangers
By Josh Sanchez
He’s back! The Texas Rangers announced on Wednesday that the team has agreed to a one-year minor league deal with veteran outfielder Manny Ramirez. The 41-year-old most recently played for the EDA Rhinos in Taiwan, but the Rangers were desperate to add a bat to the line up and they figured Ramirez would be worth the risk.
Ramirez will be reporting to Triple-A Round Rock.
In an effort to put professionalism first, Ramirez has reportedly agreed to cut his hair to a traditional length and to “abide by all rules for other Rangers minor leaguers.”
“It’s a no-risk flyer in a lot of ways,” Rangers GM Jon Daniels said, via the Dallas Morning News. “Our history, we like giving guys second chances. We know on and off the field the good and bad of Manny’s career, but we’re inclined to give him an opportunity here.
“When it comes to playing for the Rangers, two things are important to us,” Daniels added. “You have to be talented and prouductive. And just as important, you have to fit our winning culture. Those are going to be the two tests we’ll judge Manny by.”
If Ramirez is capable of producing, the Rangers could benefit from taking the risk and adding his bat to the line up.
It also wouldn’t be a surprise to see Ramirez oust Lance Berkman if he can put everything together and show that he still has some solid baseball left to give before calling it a career.