On Spring Training Opener, Dodgers Make New Offer To Manny

The Los Angeles Dodgers have made a new offer to Manny Ramirez after they fell to the Cubs 5-3 in the team's Spring Training opener. The deal is reported at being 2 years, $45 million with an escape-clause for the second year if Manny wishes to test the free-agent market. Tony Jackson of the LA Daily News reports the second year is guaranteed if Ramirez is injured at any point during the 2009 season. In early February, Manny's agent Scott Boras said that he expected the slugger to be signed by the beginning of Spring Training games, but that never came to fruition. Boras has remained adamant regarding 4 years at $25 million each year, while the Dodgers have held firm at no more than 2 guaranteed years. The offer comes amid rumors from many sources that the two sides reached a deal, the most known being a report from AM 570 KLAC of Los Angeles and a Dodger sales rep's voice-mail message. Manny and Boras are expected to respond to the offer by tomorrow.