Associated Press
LOS ANGELES ó The Dodgers made a fourth bid for Manny Ramirez, this time offering him a $25 million, one-year contract with a $20 million player option for 2010.
The player option came at the request of Ramirez’s agent, Scott Boras, according to a person with knowledge of the negotiations who requested anonymity because talks are ongoing.
The latest proposal is similar in dollars to Los Angeles’ first offer to Ramirez this offseason, a $45 million, two-year deal with a buyout or a club option that was ignored by Boras and later withdrawn by the team.
This offer, however, gives Ramirez a chance to determine his fate in 2010. He could stay with the Dodgers for a $20 million salary or decline the option and become a free agent again.
Ramirez rejected a one-year, $25 million proposal three weeks ago.
TWINS
FORT MYERS, Fla. ó Minnesota right-hander Boof Bonser is expected to miss the entire season after arthroscopic surgery on his shoulder detected partial tears in his labrum and rotator cuff.
INDIANS
GOODYEAR, Ariz. ó Cleveland hird baseman Andy Marte cleared waivers and was sent outright to Triple-A Columbus.
Also, the Indians insist closer Kerry Wood’s sore back is nothing. Wood, who had a history of arm injuries with the Cubs, hasn’t thrown off a mound since last weekend because of an aching back. The Indians will rest him for a few more days before he pitches again.
ATHLETICS
SAN FRANCISCO ó Oakland scrapped its plans to build a state-of-the art stadium in the San Francisco Bay area suburb of Fremont.
ASTROS
KISSIMMEE, Fla. ó Miguel Tejada will not play for the Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic.
The Dominican team’s request that he play first base during the tournament was a major factor in the decision.
ROCKIES
TUCSON, Ariz. ó Colorado left-hander Jeff Francis has undergone arthroscopic surgery on his pitching shoulder. He is expected to miss the entire season.
BREWERS
PHOENIX ó Milwaukee outfielder Tony Gwynn Jr. said he could miss up to a month of spring training because of a right shoulder impingement.