Everett, Wash.
Published: Thursday, November 27, 2008

MLB NOTES: Dodgers reluctant to sweeten Manny Ramirez deal

 Citing the unpredictable state of the economy, Los Angeles Dodgers owner Frank McCourt hinted Tuesday that the team would be reluctant to sweeten the two-year contract offer that would have instantly given Manny Ramirez the second-highest annual salary in the game.

McCourt said that the ball was "100 percent" in the court of Ramirez and his agent, Scott Boras, who have not given much of a response to the offer that has since been pulled off the table.

"There's nothing that's gotten better in the economy since that time," McCourt said. "You can interpret that how you like."

McCourt, speaking after a press conference announcing his charity's commitment to helping build 42 additional baseball fields for children, said the offer Ramirez received at the general managers meetings earlier this month was an attempt at getting a deal done while the team still had exclusive negotiating rights.

"We made what I consider an aggressive offer, particularly in light of the economy," McCourt said. "We were hoping to get something done quickly. That didn't happen. We'll continue to make decisions in the best interest of the club, both short-term and long-term."

And now, the economy is becoming even more of a factor in the decision-making process.

"It's not so much what we can and can't do so much as it's affecting what's appropriate," McCourt said. "I don't think anyone knows. I feel things are a little different. We need to review our priorities a little bit."

Judge lifts restrictions on Balco testimony

Thousands of pages of grand jury testimony related to the long-running steroids investigation of Barry Bonds and other athletes were unsealed Wednesday by a federal judge.

U.S. District Court Judge Susan Illston signed an order that allows prosecutors to share grand jury transcripts, medical lab reports and search warrant affidavits with Bonds' lawyers. It came in response to a request from the U.S. Attorney's office last week that the protective order on the documents be lifted to avoid possibly delaying Bonds' trial, scheduled to begin March 2.

Prosecutors also wanted to avoid "ambiguity" regarding their ability to disclose the documents to Bonds' attorneys. Prosecutors noted that much of the testimony had already been leaked to news media.

Rangers put Loe on waivers

Kameron Loe was put on unconditional release waivers by the Texas Rangers, freeing him to sign with the Fukuoka Softbank Hawks of Japan's Pacific League. The 27-year-old right-hander was 1-0 with a 3.23 ERA in 14 relief appearances this year.

Krivsky hired by Orioles

Longtime front office executive Wayne Krivsky joined the Baltimore Orioles as special assistant to the president of baseball operations. Krivsky, a former vice president and general manger for the Cincinnati Reds, will work under club president Andy MacPhail. His responsibilities will include scouting, contracts and other baseball administration duties.

Associated Press
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