What, you thought Manny Ramirez was just going to sashay into retirement? Just float away, only to pop up at an old-timer's game or three? Well, that wouldn't be Manny being ... you know. That would be Manny being Stan, Pete, or Kate. After retiring rather than serve a 100-game suspension for violating MLB's substance-abuse policy, Manny Ramirez is now formally seeking reinstatement. From ESPN:

Ramirez said that upon reentry, he would serve his 100-game suspension for a second violation of MLB's drug policy ... If any team wants to sign me, I would play. If no one does, I would look to play in Japan or any other place. I was not prepared for retirement.

The primary reason Ramirez is seeking reinstatement is that he was told that he would be ineligible to play winter ball in the Dominican Republic. After his 100-game suspension, he'd ostensibly be eligible to sign with a winter-league team.

The bigger news would be Manny playing in Japan, of course. That would be a sideshow wrapped in a crispy circus shell, and it should definitely happen. It would be neat to get Manny updates from winter ball, but amazing to follow him for a full season on the Carp or Blue Wave. Keep your fingers crossed.