Crystal Ball: Will Manny Join The A’s In 2012?

Every Friday, Swingin’ A’s will make a prediction about the A’s 2012 season with the help of our “crystal ball.” The series, appropriately titled “Crystal Ball Fridays,” will continue through the week before Opening Night. Enjoy. 

As absurd as it may sound, the Oakland A’s are reportedly interested in adding Manny Ramirez to the roster this year. The power-starved Athletics could use a little help in the power department this year, but even Manny’s presence in the lineup doesn’t guarantee much production.

Ramirez, 39, would have to serve his 50-game suspension first before making any kind of contributions on the field and even when he does join the team, what kind of production will he have? He’s not exactly a spring chicken anymore and the A’s could go with someone younger to fill the role of designated hitter this season.

Crystal Ball, do you honestly believe Manny will land in Oakland this season? Or are these rumors false?

Well, never question Billy Beane. He’s always shaking things up. Landing Manny wouldn’t be anything out of the ordinary for Beane, who likes signing cheap veteran players at the end of their careers. Manny’s production, though, isn’t exactly a given. Those hoping for another Frank Thomas-like situation may not get their answer with Manny, who played in just five games last year before “retiring.”

In those five games with the Tampa Bay Rays, Manny hit .059/.059/.059 with an RBI. In 2010, Manny played with the Dodgers and White Sox, hitting a collective .298/.409/.460 with just 9 HR and 38 RBIs. He appeared in 90 games during the 2010 season.

If the A’s can score Manny on a reasonable price, it wouldn’t be entirely insane for the green-and-gold to roll with Manny as their DH for 2012. He probably wouldn’t appear in any games until late May or so, but if he’s healthy and ready to roll, he could help Oakland’s offense in 2012. Again, he’s not a for sure thing, but I wouldn’t be surprised if Beane & Co. took a gamble this winter.

The A’s have other options, though, to roll with this season in the DH spot. Chris Carter, a “prospect,” could use the additional at-bats this season to establish a spot in Oakland’s future plans. He’s a guy I think we’re all waiting for to bust out onto the scene.

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