War of the Words

Some widely divergent opinions in today's Los Angeles Times concerning what the Los Angeles Dodgers should do with Manny Ramirez, whose acquisition from the Red Sox right at the trade deadline propelled the Dodgers to first place in the NL West.

Bill Plaschke of the Los Angeles Times says: "Acquiring Ramirez for prospects is already one of the best trades in Dodgers history.But if the Dodgers allow these two months to sucker them into signing him to the rich long-term deal he will demand, the trade will be one of their worst. For the long-term future of the organization, Manny Ramirez is not Mr. Right, he is only Mr. Right Now."

Ross Newhan, on the other hand, writes in the same edition: "It is indisputable: Manny Ramirez and Mark Teixeira helped drive the Dodgers and Angels into the playoffs, although the Angels were much farther along that road when Teixeira became another strong hand on the wheel. It is also indisputable, at least in this semi-retired view, that the Dodgers and Angels have to re-sign both players no matter the bailout-type cost or what they do in the playoffs, no matter the inherent risk (particularly of Manny-mania reverting to a disdainful Manny being Manny) or the sticker shock when season-ticket holders open their renewal letters."