Ramirez-to-Texas deal heating up

We've asked the question all week right over there -------> in the poll question, and for the one person who voted (and voted for Manny Ramirez) it seems your wish may come true.

According to the Jamey Newberg of the Newberg Report, in an e-mail sent to his mailing list (I got it from friend of the blog and podcast Kyle Fuller (follow him on Twitter @pimpinkal), the Ramirez deal is gaining some steam in the metroplex:

According to a local report posted in the last hour: “The Rangers are pursuing free agent outfielder/designated hitter Manny Ramirez.  He would be the big right-handed bat at DH and off the bench.  It would likely mean far more playing time for Michael Young at first base and would cut into Mitch Moreland's playing time.  But the Rangers are definitely interested in Ramirez.”

That really plays it out right there. Just like Kyle and I talked about on the podcast last week, this should have the same effect on the club that the Thome signing wood, except Thome is a lefty and Manny a righty. Mikey gets more play at 1B, and—it would seem—the coronation of Mitch Moreland will have to wait a bit.

But, Manny brings something that Thome doesn't bring, namely Manny. The sports world for years has talked about the antics of Manny-being-Manny, and I don't see why this would change in Arlington. I mean, this is the same guy who had Joey Cora translate his welcoming press conference when he was traded to Chicago last year, despite the fact that A) Manny is a naturalized American citizen, and knowledge of the English language is required and 2) Everyone's heard Manny speak before. He speaks good English, some say even better English than Cora himself.

Yahoo's Jeff Passan delved into Manny being Manny that fateful day in Cleveland

The chemistry in the Rangers' club house was as much talked about and credited last season for a lot of the team's success as the players on the field and some guy named Cliff were. Does the addition of Manny change that? Does it hurt or help?  Also, do we really think Nolan wants to put up with this stuff? Or, does he think he can corral Mr. Ramirez, which no one else has been able to do for extended periods of time.

I'm not saying I don't like the move, because the guy can still hit and the on-the-field addition should be amazing, but what about off of it? And, is that something to concern ourselves with in the first place?