Home On The Rangers For Manny? Texas May Enter Bidding For Free-Agent

January 5, 2009 4:30 p.m. EST

Houston, TX (AHN) - The Texas Rangers, who have paid big money for players like Alex Rodriguez in the past, are thinking about pursuing Manny Ramirez.

The Rangers were the one team who showed interest in Ramirez five winters ago when the Red Sox were shopping him. Texas has been quiet so far this off-season.

With the Rangers about to lose the free agent Milton Bradley, who was one of the best offensive players in the game last year, their interest in Ramirez has increased.

The Rangers join the Dodgers and Giants in the pursuit of Ramirez, who hit .396 with 17 home runs and 53 RBI in 53 games after being traded to the Dodgers last year.

Ramirez also hit .520 in the playoffs.

Rangers GM Jon Daniels told mlb.com they were not currently pursuing Ramirez but he also did not rule it out. The club is working on a number of things, most of them involving the pitching staff.

Ramirez, 36, has been looking for a four- or five-year deal, while most teams look to give him only two.

He has 527 career home runs with a career average of .314 and 1,725 RBI.

Before the Dodgers, Manny played for the Red Sox and the Indians. His salary last year was $18.9 million.