toledoblade.com --

No one could ever accuse the Mud Hens of not going after baseball’s biggest fish.

Hens general manager Joe Napoli sent a letter Friday to the agent of superstar free-agent slugger Manny Ramirez offering a spot on the Hens’ roster. Napoli did the same thing in 2007 for Alex Rodriguez, who back then was represented by Ramirez’s current agent, Scott Boras.

In the playful letter, Napoli offered Ramirez an hourly salary of $10.54, which was calculated by taking Ramirez’s 527 career home runs and doubling them.

"We had to double it as $5.27 is below minimum wage," Napoli wrote in the letter. "So if Manny gets to Fifth Third Field early on a game day, he could make nearly $100."

Ramirez has turned down offers of $45 million over two years and $25 million over one year to remain with the Los Angeles Dodgers and is still haggling with the team over a contract.

If Ramirez, the 2004 World Series Most Valuable Player, decides to sign up with the Triple-A Hens, Napoli told him he could continue to wear No. 24.

"In fact, Manny will receive a 24 percent discount on all merchandise in the Swamp Shop souvenir store, and he can enjoy 24 complimentary Muddy Dogs (chili, cheese, and onions) per homestand," Napoli wrote to Boras. "Yummy!"

The Hens, the Detroit Tigers’ top farm affiliate, would also have an attractive spot in their batting order for Ramirez, according to Napoli.

"Manny’s bat would provide some nice protection in the middle of the line-up between Mike Hessman and Jeff Larish," Napoli wrote. "With a short porch of 320 feet down the left field line, Manny is sure to hit a few homers out onto Monroe Street."

SEAT SELECTION: The Hens are offering fans who are interested in purchasing season tickets a tour of Fifth Third Field and a chance to pick their 2009 seats.

The event, scheduled from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. March 7, is free and includes a one-on-one tour of the ballpark for each fan. Leading the tours will be Mud Hen ticket coaches who can answer questions about available ticket packages.

All ticket packages include the Hens’ 2009 home opener April 16 against Columbus and are available for as low as $8 per game. Fans can purchase 18, 36, 54 and 72-game ticket packages.

Prospective and current season ticket holders are encouraged to attend and should enter the ballpark through the Swamp Shop on Washington Street.

Also included in the tour are stops in the Hens’ clubhouse, manager Larry Parrish’s office, and the dugout.

All attendees will have a chance to win four tickets to an upcoming Detroit Tigers game, an autographed team baseball, and the chance to throw out the first pitch at a Hens game.

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