Is he worth the Manny?

I’m BACKKKKKKKK!” 

But at what cost? In 2008, when the Dodgers first acquired Ramirez midseason, he hit 17 HR, 53 RBI’s, 74 hits, 38 strikeouts, and a beastly batting average of .396, all in a span of 53 games with 187 at bats. This year is a different story. Over a span of 63 games and 217 at bats, he has 13 HR, 44 RBI’s, 70 hits, 49 strikeouts, and a batting average of .323. Yes, Manny was the reason the Dodgers made it to the playoffs last year. Yes Manny had one of the best 2nd halves of the season I had ever seen any player have. You would think that a miraculous 2008 season would continue into the next season, especially since Manny always puts up good numbers. His $44 million deal over 2 years probably helped a little too, but once LA fans could relax and Manny was in fact coming back, everything seemed fine, but I beg to differ.

We’re paying Manny Ramirez $22 million a year, that’s only $3 million less a year than Alex Rodriguez (which I thought was a complete joke to pay someone that much). The only thing I can say is that if someone is being paid $22 million a year, they better be hitting a .396, 40+ HR, 120+ RBI’s, and lead their team to a World Series Win. I just described Albert Pujols, who even he is not being paid this much. So ultimately, we pay Manny this much money, and sure, the Dodgers are doing really well at the beginning of the season, then steroids happen along with a 50 game suspension. All of a sudden, people are saying to themselves, “if we are paying Manny $22 million, and he’s sitting on the bench for 1/3 of the season, how is that money well spent?” Luckily, the Dodgers continued to roll, and although their record wasn’t as good as when they had Ramirez, it still kept them on top of the standings in the MLB.

So here’s the question I pose: If someone is being paid $22 million but is not performing to a $22 milion level, BUT the team is still winning and is the best team in majors, is it money well spent?

When a ball-club signs a player, they intend for that player to help lead them into the playoffs and ultimately to the World Series. Or, as I am starting to see it, they sign the player to win, which is a completely different way of looking at it. Pay to win or pay to perform. Alex Rodriguez could hit 90 HR’s in a season, but if the Yankees don’t make it to the World Series or like last year don’t even make the playoffs, then that’s a waste of money( ALTHOUGH he was the best player in the MLB). However, as in the case for the Dodgers, Manny isn’t playing as well as they thought he would, but they’re still winning. I know that Manny has helped a lot and has had some clutch performances, but when he’s not even leading the team in any categories, how is he worth the money? It’s because the Dodgers are winning, so if you’re a Dodger fan, and are sad to see those $22 million go away, don’t look at it as money spent ill-wisely, but rather money spent to win.