So Manny Ramirez turned down a $25-million, one-year contract from the LA Dodgers.

Who can blame him?

At $25-million, Manny would average only $15,432 a game. But, wait, that is assuming he plays 162 games. Ho ho. There is likely to be hamstring problems and a mysterious knee injury (pick a knee, any knee).

Even at an optimistic 140 games, Ramirez makes only $17,857 per game.

And a one-year contract is no good to Ramirez.

A one-year deal means Ramirez has to prove himself all over again. He would have to replicate the last two months of the 2008 season when he hustled down the first-base line. The horrors.

I read the other day that Albert Pujols said, "I can't understand how Manny has not signed."

Can I give you a few reasons?

Manny wants a multi-year contract. He could have made $25-million this year, but he has a voice in his ear (that would be Scott Boras dressed in the devil suit, complete with pitchfork) saying, "more, more, more ..."

Manny is going to be 37 in May. Guys that old - even one of the greatest right-handed hitters of all time - don't usually get long-term deals.

Anybody notice there is a recession going on (well, anybody besides the Yankees ...)

Why would you gamble on Manny? He wants something like $100-million over four years. Let's say you give him $55-million for two. Manny will arrive in camp and pout. People will have lied to him. He is being disrespected ... oh, his hamstring is acting up.

Who wants to pay for that act?

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