Manny Ramirez Rumors: Orioles, Blue Jays Eying Manny
By Editorial Staff
It’s being reported that the Toronto Blue Jays and Baltimore Orioles have both evaluated recently un-retired slugger Manny Ramirez. Both clubs have been tied to designated hitters this offseason, though it’s unknown what the Blue Jays and O’s true level of interest is in Ramirez.
A source to Enrique Rojas of ESPNDeportes.com that the Blue Jays and Orioles sent scouts to watch Ramirez hit in an outdoor cage while the slugger was working out in Miami.
Though it doesn’t list any other clubs, this figures to be something as simple as teams with a need at the DH spot investigating all of their options.
However, the Orioles have been linked to Ramirez more extensively than the Blue Jays. Roch Kubatko of MASNsports.com reports that O’s manager Buck Showalter and Fred Ferreira, Baltimore’s executive director of international scouting, watched Ramirez hit in a cage shortly after last month’s Winter Meetings.
The Orioles have been tied to several designated hitters this offseason including David Ortiz and former Bird Luke Scott. This has only caused the Manny-to-Orioles rumors to increase, but general manager Dan Duquette isn’t signaling the O’s have significant interest in Ramirez.
Duquette told Kubatko that “people have been trying to link us to Ramirez because I signed him in Boston”. Duquette acknowledged that Manny is one of several DH options on the market, but also noted that Ramirez’s 50-game ban would play a significant role in any decision.
Earlier this week, Buster Olney of ESPN reported that Ramirez is going to hold workouts for clubs later this month. If the slugger is able to find a new home this offseason, it likely won’t be until after the workouts are conducted.
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