Manny? Really?

The plan may be becoming clearer, both the Daily News and WFAN say the Yanks are going hard after Manny Ramirez and may be offering him a 3 year deal worth 75M. Obviously, Manny would give the Yanks huge offensive boost as well as making them glad that they signed strikeout/groundball pitchers.


So, if they're going to spend the money, why Manny over Mark Teixeira? Teixeira is younger, a switch hitter (Yanks love those), a better teammate and a more valuable defender. What's the problem? There really isn't one. But I think IF the Yankees do prefer Manny over Tex, it's partly about the new stadium. Sure Manny is a pain the in butt and a poor defender, but he is a much better hitter than Tex and he puts people in the seats. Any baseball owner who saw the coverage of Manny-mania in LA this past season would love to have him on their team. He not only gives a team an elite offensive weapon, he gives a team box office. In other words, like ARod, he pays for himself and is straight gravy for the TV ratings. As good as Teixeira is, he doesn't put people in the seats and he doesn't move the needle on TV. So that really could be it, why Manny instead of Tex? The stadium and YES.


BTW, this isn't to say there aren't great baseball reasons for wanting Manny. He is, quite possibly, the greatest right handed hitter in baseball hitory, is insanely dedicated to his hitting, does not seem to be declining, and his three year deal would match up with CC's option, and the three years left on Mo and Po. What's more, the championship window for Mo, Po and Jete is closing, and they need to win now. Go Yanks!