Manny Ramirez Deciding Between A's, Orioles, Blue Jays

Read More: Manny Ramirez (DH - OAK), Roy Oswalt (P - PHI), Edwin Jackson (P - WAS), Oakland Athletics, Baltimore Orioles, Toronto Blue Jays

With Edwin Jackson having signed with the Nationals, there are but two big-time free agents remaining on the market: Roy Oswalt and Yoenis Cespedes. However, if this were several years ago, then Manny Ramirez would count. Also if this were several years ago, then other things. Hard to specify without identifying a particular number of years.

Yes, Manny's still floating around, and according to ESPN Deportes, he's close to making a decision - kind of. Translated quote:

Manny Ramirez is waiting for God to enlighten him to decide between Baltimore, Oakland and Toronto to begin negotiating a contract that allowed to return to the majors in 2012, two sources said Friday at ESPNdeportesLosAngeles.com.

The Orioles, A's and Blue Jays have all shown interest in Ramirez this winter. However, none of them has made a formal offer. If I'm understanding this correctly, then Ramirez will decide on a team with which he'd like to pursue a contract. Presumably that team would then be willing to give him a contract.

Probably a minor league contract. I can't actually imagine that a team would give him a major league contract at this point. For a bunch of reasons, not the least of which being that Ramirez will miss the season's first 50 games. That's kind of a thing.

Ramirez has been working out, and a source in this report says that the A's could give him the best opportunity. Pretty exciting for Manny. Kind of sad for the A's.