…that squelches the “Manny to the Mets” rumors this winter…

Hernandez says that Ramirez’s agent, Scott Boras, informed Dodgers GM Ned Colletti that his client will not opt out of the final year of his contract.

…it’s probably a wise move for him to stay…there is no way, after the slump he was in after returning from his PED suspension that he would get anywhere close to the $20 million he is due next year from any other club…

In addition, Hernandez believes that second baseman Orlando Hudson and pitcher Randy Wolf will not return to Los Angeles and will leave as free agents.

…Hudson’s name is obviously going to be mentioned, but once again the Mets are handcuffed with Luis Castillo and the $12 million remaining on his contract…prior to signing with Los Angeles last winter, Hudson did express interest in coming to New York but the Mets were unable to deal Castillo…if they can somehow unload his contract or pay a portion of it in some sort of trade, then I think the Mets will intensely pursue him…

…Wolf is an interesting guy…I thought the Mets should have brought him in last winter for the fifth starter spot, but after the season he had in 2009, he is going to want money that a number 2 pitcher earns…but that shouldn’t stop the Mets from at least paying attention to the market that develops around Wolf…

For more on this, check out Hernandez’s article.

According to the report, “Ramirez is expected to attribute the test results to medication received from a doctor for a personal medical issue, according to a source familiar with matter but not authorized to speak publicly.”

…hmmm, i wonder if the comments section of this post is going to be dominated by Get Manny posts today…

Sherman adds, “It also is possible that the New York teams could look at Ramirez in a different light a year from now.  The Mets have the salaries of Carlos Delgado and Billy Wagner vanishing; and if Fernando Martinez is not ready to be an impact hitter immediately than the Mets will need to replace Delgado’s stick next year.”

…lovely… so, even if ramirez ends up exercising his option for 2010 to remain in Los Angeles, we’ll still need to deal with another round of Manny Mania in November, in the days before he accepts… or, he’ll opt out, and really bring it back to a boil…

Sherman also writes about the Yankees bullpen, as well as John Maine, who looks ‘rusty,’ according to a scout, who is not concerned with Maine’s stats.

…you do realize, this means we’re probably going to have to do this Manny Insanity all over again next off season – especially since Daniel Murphy can be switched to first base if Carlos Delgado leaves as a free agent…

…so, to all of you from the failed Million Manny March, don’t burn those jerseys and banners just yet…

Ken Rosenthal of FoxSports.com reports Manny Ramirez and the Dodgers agreed today to a two-year, $45 million contract, according to major-league sources.

Ramirez and Scott Boras met with Dodgers owner Frank McCourt, Joe Torre and GM Ned Colletti at Dodger Stadium this morning, according to Tim Brown from Yahoo! Sports.

Original Post, 6:45 am:

Last night, Enrique Rojas of ESPN.com was first to report that the Dodgers and Manny Ramirez agreed to a two-year, $45 million deal.

Later, Tony Jackson of the Los Angeles Daily News said the Dodgers will meet Ramirez today before making the deal official, which will likely pay him $25 million in 2009 and $20 million in 2010.

According to Jon Heyman of SI.com, Ramirez can opt out of the deal after the first season.

Ramirez rejected a one-year, $25 million offer from the Dodgers earlier in the week, as he continues to request a long-term deal.

By the way, despite Jeff Wilpon’s and Omar Minaya’s public statements that the team not be making any more major acquisitions this off-season.

The same group of fans who took part in last week’s Million Manny March at the SNY studios are still planning a second March tonight, Feb. 5, again at the SNY studios, during the network’s Mets Hot Stove show, which airs at 7 pm.

The SNY studio is located at 51st and Sixth Ave., though some fans will be gathering across the street at 6:30 pm by Radio City, before marching over the to studio.

…i love it… if nothing else, it shows just how passionate and involved we are as a fan base, and that has to be a good thing…

Yesterday, Ramirez rejected the Dodgers one-year, $25 million offer.

Owner Frank McCourt has said he does not envision giving Ramirez a long term deal.

Earlier in the off-season, Ramirez ignored a two-year, $45 million offer.

Regarding OF Manny Ramirez, who earlier in the day rejected a one-year $25 million contract from the Dodgers, Heyman said that Los Angeles could soon choose to move on from their hopes of signing the slugging outfielder.

In that case, their plan B could be signing some combination of OF’s Bobby Abreu and Adam Dunn, LHP Randy Wolf and 2B Orlando Hudson, whom Ken Rosenthal of FoxSports.com reports is waiting to see whether one of the New York teams can make room for him.

… sounds like the Dodger fans have been treated to the same exact rumors us Mets fans have been hearing all off-season…

Regarding Abreu, Heyman said that despite reports that the Chicago White Sox had submitted a one year, $8 million offer for the former Yankee, he didn’t think it made sense for the ChiSox to sign him.

…the longer this drags out, the crazier it is going to get…

…and so, my recommendation to Omar Minaya would be – if you’re not going to puruse Manny Ramirez – then, at the Oliver Perez press conference, just say so… please… i’m begging you… this way, you frame the story, expectations can adjust, and we can all get on with our lives…

…either that, or sign him…

Meanwhile, Dodgers GM Ned Colletti says he is still interested in working out a deal with Ramirez, reports the Los Angeles Times, despite last night’s offer having been rejected.

Hayman also gives more information on how Bobby Abreu could end up signing with the Mets.

Speaking of outfielders…

In a post to his blog for ESPN.com, Buster Olney writes, “The Mets will continue to bottom-feed for guys on the free agent market, at the $600K-$1MM level, and if that nets them someone like Ken Griffey Jr., well, then so be it.”