Manny Ramirez to Return to the Dodgers

Manny Ramirez decided to take the money. Ramirez picked up his $20 million option to stay with the Los Angeles Dodgers. He could have tested free agency but the slugger will take the sure thing.

If the Dodgers had a choice, they probably would have liked Ramirez to opt out. The 37-year-old wasn’t too dominant last season. He hit .290 with 19 homers and 63 RBIs. The most noise he made was when he was suspended for testing positive for PEDs.

Ramirez also angered a lot of people with his antics — as is usually the case. As the saying goes, it’s just Manny being Manny.

Going into the 2010 baseball season, the Dodgers will hope that they get a season out of Ramirez like they saw in 2008. After being acquired via trade from the Boston Red Sox, Ramirez was very good.

In free agency, Ramirez might have scored a big deal from an American League team. That said, baseball clubs might have been scared off by all the baggage that Ramirez’s back comes with.

Manny Ramirez to return to the Dodgers (Image: Zuma Press)