Manny- "I would like to play for Cleveland one more time"

Manny Ramirez, just starting a new 2 year deal with the Dodgers that took more than the entire offseason decides now to talk about where he wants to play after he's done in LA:

...before his career ends he hopes to be reunited with his first love: the Cleveland Indians.

"I would like to play for Cleveland one more time, to go back where I started," said Ramirez, with the Dodgers playing their home opener Monday against the San Francisco Giants at Dodger Stadium. "I have so many good memories there, why not?

"I think to go back where you started is everyone's dream."[...]

Thome and Ramirez each might be eligible for free agency this winter if Ramirez opts out of his two-year contract. And if they become free agents, Ramirez told Thome, they should both consider returning to Cleveland.

"Manny was very sincere when he brought that up to me," Thome said. "Manny was saying how special that would be for us to both go back together. He was very passionate. Baseball's such a weird thing. You never know what's going to happen."[ ...]

"Me and Thome back in Cleveland?" Ramirez said. "That would be sweet.

"I love L.A. I really do. But the way the city responded to me, it reminded me a lot of how it was in Cleveland."

I just want to know, was this before or after he didn't get that 4-5 year deal this offseason? If Manny was signed for 4 years with the Dodgers, would we be hearing him talk about how he wants to play in Cleveland at age 42? Doubtful. Is Manny being sincere, or is Boras pulling some strings to get Manny his next contract, after he barely starts his current one? Hard to say, I don't think Boras deserves the benefit of the doubt, and I don't really think you can take what Manny says seriously anyways.

I was admittedly a pretty sizeable Indians fan growing up considering I was actually a Yankee fan. I loved all RFs as a kid and there were some real great ones to root for outside of NY with Abreu, Vlad and of course Manny (he used to play there). Plus, that Indians lineup was just insane, cool, and in their prime, it's kind of a shame they couldn't get a title. Just look at that 1999 Indians lineup, it's sick. Lofton, Vizquel, Alomar, Manny Thome, that's such a killer 1-5. It could easily have 4 guys in the Hall of Fame, and Lofton is one of the greatest leadoff hitters of his time. And that's not even counting Sandy Alomar, a young (and good) Richie Sexson, Travis Fryman, and David Justice.

So, as you can see I kind of liked those Indians teams, so seeing Manny and Thome would be cool in 2010 right? Eh not really at all. In 2010, the Indians will still owe Travis Hafner $37.5m for 3 years, I don't think signing 2 more DHs next year for the Indians would be smart, possible, or even as Manny says, sweet.