Report: Ramirez interested in Blue Jays

Manny Ramirez could be returning to the majors in 2012.

The 39-year-old slugger is deciding between the Toronto Blue Jays, Oakland Athletics and Baltimore Orioles, according to a report from ESPNDeportes.com

Ramirez does not have a formal contract offer from any of the three teams but his agent will start negotiating once the veteran outfielder decides on a team.

He has been training in Miami since December and the Blue Jays were reportedly one of a handful of teams that saw Ramirez hit in a batting cage.

According to the report, Oakland would provide the best opportunity for Ramirez to play on a consistent basis.

The Dominican Republic native, who abruptly retired after being handed a 100-game suspension last season, hit .059 in five games with the Tampa Bay Rays in 2011.

Ramirez is a career .312 hitter with 555 home runs and 1,831 RBIs in 19 seasons with the Cleveland Indians, Boston Red Sox, Los Angeles Dodgers, Chicago White Sox and the Rays.

If signed, Ramirez would still have to serve a 50-game penalty.

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