McCourt needs to hear Ramirez say yes
GLENDALE, Ariz. – Manny Ramirez will meet this morning with Los Angeles Dodgers owner Frank McCourt at Dodger Stadium, according to team sources.
If Ramirez convinces McCourt he can be happy with the two-year contract – the second year is at Ramirez's option – that will be worth about $45 million, they will have an agreement.
The club has privately feared Ramirez will sulk if his contract was not exactly to his liking, the attitude that had him run out of Boston last summer. McCourt apparently will ask Ramirez if he can be the same player – both in body and spirit – he was in Los Angeles late last season.
If McCourt is satisfied, Ramirez will take a physical in L.A. and could be on a plane to join his teammates at spring training in Arizona later Wednesday.
Ramirez's agent, Scott Boras, has said Ramirez has not been insulted by the drama of the past couple weeks or the drawn-out nature of the negotiations. Therefore, it appears the sides will come to terms quickly today, assuming Ramirez's physical shows no defects.
