The Los Angeles Dodgers have a vacancy in their coaching staff after choosing to part ways with longtime hitting coach Aaron Bates.
Several candidates could fill the role come the 2027 season, but the most interesting by far is former Dodgers slugger Manny Ramirez, who is looking for a return to MLB in a coaching role.
“Manny Ramirez is seeking a hitting coach job in MLB, agent Hector Zepeda said,” wrote Jon Heyman via X. “Ramirez, who hit 555 HRs and batted .312, last worked as a player/coach for the Sydney Blue Sox in Australia in 2020-21. He’s so determined to get back in the game he’s willing to go to the minors.”
Who is Manny Ramirez?
Manny Ramirez was one of MLB’s premier hitters during his 19-year MLB career, and he played in parts of three seasons for the Dodgers from 2008-2010.
The Dodgers acquired him at the 2008 trade deadline in a three-team trade, and he played an incredible 53 games for the team that season. He hit 17 homers and drove in as many RBIs as he had games played while posting a 1.232 OPS during that stretch.
His postseason that year was just as impressive, as he logged 13 hits in 25 at-bats with hour homers and 10 RBIs with a 1.747 OPS.
Ramirez’s sole full season with the Dodgers came in 2009, though he only featured in 104 games for the team due suspension for violating MLB’s Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program. He managed 19 homers and 63 RBIs and still had a .949 OPS on the season, though his postseason wasn’t nearly as impressive.
His final year with the team came in 2010, and he featured 66 times before the Chicago White Sox claimed him off waivers that year. He had a .915 OPS with the Dodgers in 2010, hitting eight homers and driving in 40 runs though 66 games.
Ramirez posted a 1.012 OPS in a Dodgers uniform, and is one of the most accomplished hitters of his generation, making him a prime candidate for the Dodgers’ opening.
Why Did the Dodgers Part Ways With Aaron Bates?
Bates’ dismissal surprised many, as president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman said he didn’t expect any coaching changes during the offseason.
“I expect status quo,” Friedman said to Dodgers Nation and the media. “Still working through things, but expect status quo.”
Per Bates, the Dodgers offered him a multi-year contract, though he told Maddie Lee of the LA Times the offer wasn’t competitive. After rejecting the offer, the Dodgers didn’t follow up.
“Basically, they said, ‘I think we should go our separate ways,” Bates said. “I was just very taken aback, in a sense, by that.”
“…Processing it, I think that there’s always a time and a place, and I think that things run their course. But I have nothing but amazing things to say about the Dodgers organization and people.
“My kids grew up Dodgers, and I grew up a Dodger, as a coach. It’s just unfortunate the way it’s worked out towards these last few days.”
Bates also revealed he’s been speaking with other teams in the wake of his sudden departure, and will look to join a new team for the 2027 season.
