Ramirez Reviews $119 Million Offer

C L E V E L A N D, Nov. 10 -- Manny Ramirez always said he wanted to finishhis playing career where it started — in Cleveland.

The Indians are about to find out if he’s a man of his word.

Unwilling to meet Ramirez’s demand for $200 million for 10years, the club offered the free-agent outfielder a seven-yearcontract worth more than $119 million.

The Indians, who have exclusive negotiating rights with Ramirezuntil midnight today, faxed their counterproposal to hisrepresentative, Jeff Moorad, according to a baseball managementsource speaking on the condition he not be identified.

The source said the Indians’ counteroffer was for seven years and that the per-year value was “slightly more” than the $17 million per season average the Toronto Blue Jays will pay first baseman Carlos Delgado beginning next season.

If Ramirez accepts the deal and re-signs with Cleveland, hewould be baseball’s highest-paid player — for now. Shortstop Alex Rodriguez is expected to get a contract close to the $200 million Ramirez asked for.

Clock Is Ticking

Moorad said late Thursday night that he received the Indians’ latest offer and that he would spend today in his Newport Beach, Calif., office analyzing it before resuming talks with the Indians.

“It’s certainly a necessary step in any kind of process that would have Manny re-signing with the Indians,” he said.

Asked if he thought the newest proposal was fair, Moorad said:“I’m not going to characterize it.”

Moorad would not comment on any specifics of the deal, but saidthat if the sides did not come to an agreement by midnight, thechances of Ramirez re-signing with the Indians would lessen.

An Indians spokesman confirmed the counterproposal was sent toMoorad, but refused to discuss its contents.

Seeking a ‘Career Contract’

Cleveland is the only team that can negotiate salary withRamirez through today. After that, Ramirez, who had 122 RBIs injust 118 games last season and 432 the past three years, is free tosign elsewhere.