Outfielder Manny Ramirez notified the
Dodgers on Friday that he's exercising the $20 million option and will return
to Los Angeles next season.
The 37-year-old slugger signed a one-year, $25 million deal with the club on
March 4, 2009 with a player option for a second year at $20 million. He had
until five days after the World Series ended or November 10, whichever came
first, to inform the team if he planned to return or test free agency.
The pact, which carries a full no-trade clause, calls for the 12-time All-Star
to donate $1 million to charity.
Following a suspension of 50 games for testing positive for performance-
enhancing drugs, Ramirez hit .290 with 19 homers and 63 RBI in 104 games this
season. The Dodgers fell to the Phillies in five games in the NLCS.
Over 17 seasons in the majors with Cleveland, Boston and LA, Ramirez owns a
.313 batting average with 546 home runs and 1,788 RBI
Five other Dodgers filed for free agency on Friday: catcher Brad Ausmus,
pitchers Vicente Padilla, Guillermo Mota and Jeff Weaver, and pinch-hitter Jim
Thome.
In addition, pitchers Randy Wolf, Jon Garland and Eric Milton; second baseman
Orlando Hudson; and infielders Ronnie Belliard and Doug Mientkiewicz filed for
free agency on Thursday.
Dodgers still eligible to file for free agency are shortstop Juan Castro,
infielder Mark Loretta, pitchers Will Ohman and Jason Schmidt. However,
Schmidt is expected to retire.
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