Dodgers Gamble On Ramirez Stalls With Drug Suspension

The Los Angeles Dodgers knew all along that no other team was going to be willing to meet the contract demands of Manny Ramirez. They took that fact and used it brilliantly, and eventually, Ramirez re-signed with L.A.

Now it appears that it may have been Ramirez who was playing the Dodgers instead of vice-versa. Los Angeles' gamble on the star outfielder took a downward turn on Thursday when it was announced that Ramirez was given a fifty game suspension by Major League Baseball.

"The reality now it that the Dodgers are stuck with Manny Ramirez for the next two years," said observer Nolan Brownich, "There is no way that Manny walks away from his option for next year after this suspension."

Whether that turns out to be good news or bad news for the Dodgers will not be known until the end of the contract. Even with a fifty game suspension, Ramirez is due back at the end of July, which gives him more than enough time to make an impact on a playoff run.

The Dodgers became one of the best teams in baseball last year after acquiring Ramirez from the Red Sox. They continued that success through the early part of this year, but now will have to go two months without one of the best hitters in baseball.

Los Angeles has the pitching and the offensive power to survive without Ramirez for the time being. They still, however, must be wondering what they have gotten themselves into to, and why they were the only team bidding for Ramirez's services last winter.

May 7, 2009
Posted By Vincent Tapoglia III
Staff Editor, CasinoGamblingWeb.com
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