Manny Ramirez recently worked out for the Oakland A's in Florida, sources tell MLB.com's Jane Lee. The A's are reported to have a strong interest in signing the free agent slugger to a one-year deal worth slightly more than the league minimum of $480,000, according to the Associated Press.
Manny Ramirez Works Out For A’s, According To Report
If he signs, Ramirez wouldn't be eligible to play for the A's until at least May 30, as he still needs to serve a 50-game suspension for violating the league's substance abuse policy. He tested positive for a banned substance five games into the 2011 season after signing with the Tampa Bay Rays. He opted to retire rather than serve a 100-game suspension, which Major League Baseball eventually reduced by half.
Ramirez, who turns 40 years old in May, hasn't played more than 104 games in a season since 2008. He split the 2010 season between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Chicago White Sox, hitting a combined .298 (.409 OBP, .460 SLG) with nine home runs and 42 RBI in 265 at-bats over 90 games. The A's would most likely use him as a designated hitter. The A's finished 2011 ranked No. 12 in runs scored and home runs out of 14 American League teams.
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