What’s the deal?

Manny Ramirez either needs to get a new agent or a clue. At least now we can understand why the Boston Red Sox were so eager to unload their toxic asset last season and why Manny was on such saintly behavior with the Dodgers. There’s no doubt in my mind that Manny would start loafing before the ink dried on his two-year, $45-million economic stimulus package. Let him sit out a season and contemplate the depressed economy and the 10% unemployment rate. At times such as these, Manny Ramirez is a luxury baseball can easily do without.

William M. Cwirla Hacienda Heights

Dear Manny,

Sorry that in these tough economic times, you cannot find a way to play baseball for $25 million. I realize you have a tough choice between the Dodgers and, um, some other team. Please understand when I make a choice as well. Unlike you, I actually have another option for baseball. I can pay $5 for a ticket, sit right behind home plate, park without any hassle, pay reasonable prices for food, and watch a game where I know the players will play as hard as they can every game (if you can imagine that). It’s called UCLA baseball. While you’re unemployed, you should check out a game.

Richard Brisacher

Mar Vista

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The real problem is not Manny, the problem is Frank McCourt’s delusional belief that we don’t need Manny. The Dodgers are a mediocre team, at best, without Manny. As a lifelong die-hard Dodgers fan, it’s tough to get excited for mediocre. It’s clear that McCourt is much more interested in PR spin than in fielding a competitive team.

Micah Bodenheimer

Fontana

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Enough is enough! I am sick and tired of Manny being Manny and, more to the point, of Scott Boras being Scott Boras.

Erik Schuman

Fountain Valley

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Once I saw the actual details of the Ramirez deal, I am not surprised at all that Manny’s camp turned it down. The man was, if the majors had such an honor, the MVP of baseball in 2008 (along with CC Sabathia).

This offer stinks. Makes me wonder just how much money the McCourts actually have. How much have they lost in the stock market? Does anyone know what they are actually worth? Just the fact that they gave Russell Martin only a one-year deal says something.

I have a feeling we may not see a championship team until we have a real owner with real money.

Jesse Rodriguez

Los Angeles

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Maybe the McCourts should beam up Scotty (Boras) with his sidekick to See-Ya-Tomorrowland and share the newfound money saved with all us dedicated and patient fans.

Let’s assume that the Dodgers draw 2.5 million fans this year. With the $25 million post-Ramirez windfall, this means that the Dodgers could give everyone a $10 rebate, per ticket, per game without losing a dime. Now, that’s a stimulus package!

David M. Pepper

Malibu

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With 5 million people out of work and our economy in the tank, it makes me sick to see the Dodgers continue to beg the cancer of a ballplayer that is Manny Ramirez with a $45-million contract.

I sure hope the Dodgers make Manny feel loved because he may not feel like giving 100% if not. As for me I’m done with baseball and its overpaid prima donnas. Frank McCourt and Ned Colletti are total bootlicking clowns and deserve Ramirez.

Jack Kenna

Whittier

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If Ned Colletti and Scott Boras met for dinner, who would cave in first and pick up the tab?

Kevin Knopf

La Canada

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2009 marks the 70th anniversary of the end of Lou Gehrig’s streak of 2,130 consecutive games played. After 14 years of playing through broken bones, sprains, strains, lumbago, fevers and other ailments, at a level of excellence few major league ballplayers have ever reached, he retired for the good of the team. On July 4, 1939 he gave his farewell speech wherein he thanked the fans and called himself the luckiest man on the face of the earth for having had the privilege to play major league baseball.

Manny Ramirez, take note.

Roger Zuch

Tujunga

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Headline I’d like to see:

“Dodgers Reject Manny”

Richard Codispoti

Corona