2:21pm: Dylan Hernandez of the L.A. Times says (via Twitter) that Dodgers GM Ned Colletti shot down the rumor below. By the way, Hernandez just joined Twitter, so get following!
12:16pm: From Bob Keisser of the Long Beach Press-Telegram (hat tip to Diamond Leung):
A baseball insider says the club has been contacted by an American League team that is interested in Manny Ramirez if the team will pay part of his $20 million salary for 2010. It's a team that plays in a very mediocre division, has a few team officials familiar with Ramirez, and always needs a bump in notoriety.
MLBTR has not referenced a rumor from Keisser in its four-year history, but let's explore this one anyway.
SI's Jon Heyman wrote Wednesday that Manny "is planning to exercise" his $20MM player option. Manny hit well in 2009, but a 50-game PED suspension marred his season.
As for Keisser's clues, he appears to be referring to the AL Central. Did the Twins, Tigers, White Sox, Indians, or Royals express interest in Manny? Indians GM Mark Shapiro crossed paths with Ramirez. The Tigers' David Chadd worked for the Red Sox when Manny was there. Do any of the other teams have officials familiar with the slugger? In general, do you buy this rumor?
