Well, Ned Colletti made his move yesterday by announcing he was talking to the agents for Adam Dunn and Bobby Abreu. Yesterday, the LA Times' Bill Shaikin reports that Scott Boras countered the move by calling Colletti, responding to these stories as well as Colletti's remarks that Manny is his "first choice".
Boras is also responding since there is simply no market for his client at this time, except for the Dodgers. I have a feeling we will be hearing about Manny signing with LA real soon.....err...I hope. I wonder how pissed off Manny is that his agent orchestrated the nonsense in Boston last July and now nobody wants to sign him.
Listening to Dave Sims and Joel Sherman on XM Radio this evening on the drive home, Sherman thought that the Giants should make a run at Manny Ramirez now that they have ditched the rebuilding plan and signed Edgar Renteria and Randy Johnson. The move makes sense for two reasons, according to Sherman, one they get the big power bat the lineup is missing, and two they steal Manny from the rival Dodgers. With Manny in the Giants lineup, they could be considered favorites in the West, much to my chagrin.
Boras apparently had a busy day yesterday, as the Mets made a 3 year $36 million offer for starting pitcher Derek Lowe. Many Mets fans have been pleading for Omar Minaya to sign Lowe, and they may get their wish...and at a reduced price as well. Lowe will give the Mets around 33-34 starts, 200+ inning, and a mid 3's ERA. I will be curious how he pitches in Philly a few times a year, and how he will handle the New York media. What's a better bargain, Derek Lowe for $12 million/year or gold at $870/oz.?
Finally, it was widely reported that the Rockies have traded reliever Luis Vizcaino to the Cubs for Jason Marquis. I wouldn't touch Marquis unless someone gave me some draft picks and took nothing back in return. It is assumed that the Cubs now have some salary space to sign an outfielder-possibly Adam Dunn or Milton Bradley. Or maybe they call up Kevin Towers and spark up the Peavy trade talk again??