MLB: Manny exercises option, remains in LA

Outfielder Manny Ramirez notified the Dodgers on Friday that he’s exercising his $20 million option and will return to the team for 2010, agent Scott Boras confirmed.

Ramirez in March signed a contract for $25 million guaranteed in 2009 and a player option for ‘10. Ramirez had until Tuesday to notify the club.

Boras said Ramirez felt that his comfort level playing in Los Angeles was the overriding factor in his decision, although he had told teammates the grind of playing defense every day was taking a toll on his 37-year-old body and he was tempted to explore teams that might be interested in him as a designated hitter.

...General manager Ned Colletti said he was hopeful Ramirez would return in 2010 more like the offensive force he was after his acquisition in ‘08 and less like the pressing, wild swinger he became after returning from his 50-game drug suspension.

“In the second half, to say someone else’s confidence isn’t the same is really unfair,” said Colletti, “but I didn’t see the same confidence in his approach when he returned that I saw the last two months of last year and the first five weeks of this year.

“It’s understandable. The hope is that the more time away from that we get, the more it becomes in the past instead of lingering day to day.”

Thanks to Guilliermo B. Guilliermos.