Dodgers Offer Up Some Major Manny Money

The Dodgers are apparently serious about keeping Manny Ramirez in Dodger blue for the foreseeable future. Ned Colletti has confirmed that the Dodgers have made Ramirez a very generous offer.

Colletti would not specify the length of the offer, reportedly two years, or the value of the offer. Alex Rodriguez of the New York Yankees has a contract for $27.5 million a year, the highest average annual value in baseball.

Ramirez made $20 million last season, the highest salary of any player except Rodriguez. Colletti said the Dodgers' offer "would be the highest average annual value in the history of the franchise and the second-highest average annual value in baseball."

Colletti said he did not anticipate hearing a response from agent Scott Boras before the Dodgers' exclusive negotiating window expires Nov. 13.

"I'm sure Scott will wait until he can procure offers from other clubs," Colletti said.

The Dodgers were rumored to be offering Ramirez a ridiculously large annual average, yet attached to a short contract. There's no reason to believe that this offer isn't more than two, maybe three years. But it does show how serious the Dodgers are. I'm wondering if there's a number, whether it be money or years or both, that will make Boras think about signing Ramirez on with Los Angeles before hitting the open market.

(Actually, there is a number ... but I don't think mathematicians have found it yet.)