Archrivals lead hunt for Manny

Jon Heyman

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DAILY SCOOP

SI.com-Well known for bold free-agent signings and boosted by a solid financial situation, the San Francisco Giants look like a major threat to steal superstar free agent slugger Manny Ramirez away from the archrival Dodgers.

While the Dodgers are probably still considered the favorite to retain Ramirez, the Giants are making a serious run at him. Ramirez might be exactly what the Giants need to be taken seriously as a threat in a winnable National League West. San Francisco already has as good an under-25 pitching tandem as there is in the game with Tim Lincecum and Matt Cain, a very nice overall rotation and a well-fortified bullpen with the signings of Jeremy Affeldt and Bobby Howry. Ramirez could actually tilt things toward the Giants in a division where a couple teams have taken a step backward (and the Dodgers would be the third if they lose Manny).

The Giants are in excellent position to outbid the cautious Dodgers if so inclined. San Francisco has an excellent TV situation and has now paid off more than half its debt on its beautiful franchise-owned AT&T Park. Several of the team's deep-pocketed 30 owners could buy and sell Dodgers owner Frank McCourt. The Giants showed they will still spend if they must when they ponied up $18.5 million for aging shortstop Edgar Renteria, but they are still badly in need of offensive juice.

Outfield may not look like the Giants' main need. But the Giants were able to ride the greatness of one special offensive player to consistent contention for over a decade, so they've seen that formula work before. While Ramirez is no choir boy, having had some issues that led to his trade to Los Angeles in the first place, he's easier to deal with than Barry Bonds.

Giants management has been quizzing people throughout the game and within their organization, and they are hearing a lot of good things regarding Ramirez (they must not have talked to a certain Boston traveling secretary). From their own ranks, J.T. Snow, one of the best-respected former Giants, raved about Ramirez. As did longtime Giants scout Ted Uhlaender, who was with the Indians during the Manny era there.

With two rivals racing for Ramirez, he's likely to get at least three years at the second highest salary in baseball, behind his good friend Alex Rodriguez, though not the five or six years he sought. It'll be interesting to see whether anyone else joins the West Coast rivals in the derby, which still appears to be in the early stages (one executive estimated that they're only in the "third or fourth inning'' of this high-stakes game).

The Texas Rangers are said to be "intrigued,'' according to one person familiar with their thinking. As a potential replacement for the departed Milton Bradley, "he's an excellent fit'' for them, one AL executive said. Unlike in Los Angeles or San Francisco, he could also DH for Texas.

The Yankees were always split on Manny, with Hank Steinbrenner and A-Rod completely in his corner but others not so much ("Hal never would have gone for it,'' one executive said of the more serious Steinbrenner, who much preferred Mark Teixeira, whose rep is spotless), and they are presumed out after their spending spree. The Mets met with Ramirez's agent, Scott Boras, apparently without even broaching the Manny topic, and Angels GM Tony Reagins again succinctly said "no'' when asked in a phone interview this week whether they intend to pursue Ramirez.

That could leave three or perhaps only two suitors. But as far as Ramirez is concerned, it could be at least a powerful duo, considering the Giants are the last place the Dodgers would like to see Ramirez wind up.