“Gas Is Up And So Am I”

This was the quote from Manny Ramirez after his late season surge led the Dodgers to the playoffs (and a first round dumping by the Phillies).

Now that we are in Hot Stove season, all eyes are on baseball — specifically guys like Ramirez (who had his $45 million offer pulled back by LA), C. C. Sabathia (who is pondering a $140 million over six years offer from who else, the Yankees) and Scott Boris (the super agent who will be trying to work his magic in a tough economy).

So what should we expect?

First, a few guys will be paid top dollar — the brightest stars always are. But the numbers to watch are the guys after the top 5 or so. Teams are gonna feel the revenue pinch in ’09 and owners have taken a hit to their own portfolios.

Second, baseball will be a bit of an exception. The other 3 big US sports have salary caps that implicitly tie player salaries to league revenues. League revenues will take a hit — tickets and merchandise in the near term, TV revenue a bit further out when new deals are negotiated.

Nobody can be fully immune from this bubble burst.

Like Manny says: “Gas is up and so am I”. Uh Manny, have you seen gas prices lately?