The Angels are on the Paul Konerko trail. They are also said to be looking at a 3-way deal with Boston and Arizona to get Manny Ramirez. It begs the question--who would you rather have? Let's analyze.Konerko. 30 years old on opening day 2006. Will not cost you players currently on your roster. Numbers have increased steadily over the past 3 years. Coming off back to back 40 HR seasons and a world championship. Team leader, solid teammate. Good defensive 1st Baseman. .909 OPS last year.
Ramirez. Turns 34 next May. Will cost you players from your current roster. OPS has slightly decreased every year since 2002. Dominant right-handed hitter of his era. Noted goof, public urinater and obsessive trade demander. But teammates seem to love him. Absolute hack in the field. After errors on back to back plays in the 2004 World Series: "He just downgraded himself from a silver [glove] to a bronze to a green," outfielder Dave Roberts said. "It's funny to laugh at -- after you win." Win they did. Owed approximately $57 million dollars over the next 3 years.
So what do you do? Konerko will likely get a 4 or 5 year deal ranging from 45-60 million. That's still much cheaper than Ramirez. Basically the Angels could have Konerko for the price of Ramirez--but for 2 additional years. They also would not have to give any players away, which may or may not be a positive depending on who they wish to deal.For me the choice is easy. I take Konerko. I don't want to be paying a 36 year old Manny Ramirez 19 million to DH for me. Plus I still believe Konerko's best years are ahead of him. And while I wouldn't call Manny unstable, I certainly would call him unpredictable. You know what you are getting with Konerko--and it is totally worth it.
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