He’s Baaaaack! (Sort of)

There are some players that we want around simply because they entertain us whether it is with ridiculous soundbites, crazy antics, or criminal activity. Others we want around because they are tremendous baseball players and we know that every  time we see them there is a chance they are going to do something great.

Occasionally there comes a guy that is able to give us both, and one of those guys is back--sort of.

Aging outfielder Manny Ramirez retired last season rather than serve the 100-game suspension that was due for getting busted a second time taking performance enhancing drugs. Like many guys, he got the itch to play again and asked for another chance. The league said sure, but you'll still have to serve a 50-game suspension.

That time is just about up.

The Oakland Athletics have decided to take a chance on the former slugger. The earliest time he will be allowed to join the Big League roster will be on May 30, his birthday, barring any rain outs over the next couple of weeks.

For now he's headed to the A's AAA affiliate, the Sacramento River Cats. He'll join them on Saturday when they are in Albuquerque to play the Isotopes (not the team Homer Simpson was once the mascot for).

Before you do the math--that is only 40 games. My only guess is that the league is allowing him to play some in the minors in order to break away some of the rust.

So what do you think fantasy baseball players--time to pick up Manny?

(Want to see why they say "Manny is just being Manny?)

Article by Travis Pulver