It is indisputable: Manny Ramirez and Mark Teixeira helped drive the Dodgers and Angels into the playoffs, although the Angels were much farther along that road when Teixeira became another strong hand on the wheel.
It is also indisputable, at least in this semi-retired view, that the Dodgers and Angels have to re-sign both players no matter the bailout-type cost or what they do in the playoffs, no matter the inherent risk (particularly of Manny-mania reverting to a disdainful Manny being Manny) or the sticker shock when season-ticket holders open their renewal letters.
The timing and strategy will be complicated because both will be in high demand and Scott Boras, the attorney who represents both potential free agents, will play this to the dollar and sense hilt, possibly delaying a decision until Christmas.
Nevertheless, let's simplify it before getting into more depth:
A Dodgers offense without Ramirez will be as flat and floundering as it was before he arrived free of charge.
He enlivened the clubhouse, energized the young players as the team's incumbent veterans hadn't, switched leagues as if playing T-ball and -- according to multiple club sources not authorized to speak publicly -- has already made Frank and Jamie McCourt several million dollars more in added ticket, merchandise, food and parking sales.
The echoes of Boston and the accusation he quit on the Red Sox may always cloud his resume, but the long-denied Sox won two World Series with Ramirez and he annually enhanced Hall of Fame credentials that he is smart enough, at 36, to realize could be threatened if he resorted to disturbing behavior during a final five- or six-year contract.
With power essential in a DH league, the switch-hitting Teixeira's performance after his July 29 acquisition from Atlanta underscored his long-term value to a team that has to weigh the free-agent status of Garret Anderson at 36, the fragility of Vladimir Guerrero's knees and the offensive inconsistency of Gary Matthews Jr.
If the 28-year-old Teixeira -- a Gold Glove-caliber fielder as well -- is lost to what is expected to be widespread and expensive bidding, the Angels could be left with crossed fingers and the still-unproven Kendry Morales at first base in an infield shy of home run power at the other corner, providing Chone Figgins isn't traded.
"The market is essentially barren of sluggers, particularly franchise players like these two," Boras said of Teixeira and Ramirez. "They'll be highly coveted."
