Daily Dodger in review: Manny Ramirez, we love you, we love you not

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MANNY RAMIREZ, 38, outfielder

Final 2010 stats: .298 batting average, nine home runs, 42 RBI, .409 on-base percentage, .460 slugging percentage.

Contract status: Free agent.

The good: He could still draw a walk and hit for average while still a Dodger. When he was in the lineup, he seemed to have a positive impact on the hitting of Andre Ethier and Matt Kemp. Even a shrunken Manny gave the Dodgers a certain legitimacy.

The bad: Manny, my boy, where did the power go? Did it have something to do with Father Time or lack of PEDs or your ever-curious mental state or frequent leg injuries? As much of a drop-off as he experienced with the Dodgers, after being traded to the White Sox, he had exactly two extra-base hits (double, home run) in 69 disappointing at-bats. Would not talk to the fans in L.A. (media). Became an even worse defensive outfielder. Forgot his way to his favorite hairdresser.

What’s next: Nothing like he wants. He, and just about everyone else, figured even before last season began that his future was as a designated hitter. But bombing the last month with the White Sox didn’t exactly help the cause. Somebody will take a chance on him, but not with the deal he previously envisioned.

The take: Hey, the Dodgers will always have 2008. It was a magical two months. Unfortunately, there were two more years to go. And at $45 million. Still, all things considered, he was probably a good return on their investment.

He returned excitement to Dodger Stadium in ’08 and helped the Dodgers advance to a pair of National League Championship Series. He was also busted for taking female fertility drugs in ’09 and missed much of his muted last season with bad wheels. Say this, at least he made the Dodgers interesting. And, for a time, relevant.

-- Steve Dilbeck