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According to ESPN Deportes, Manny Ramirez has reached a verbal agreement to sign with the EDA Rhinos of the China Professional League. The deal won’t be complete for at least another 10 days, however, as under the terms of the agreement, Ramirez has until March 7 to reach a deal with a Major League team.

In the report, Ramirez said that agent Barry Praver called many American League teams but “nobody was interested” in his services; if that remains the case and Ramirez becomes a Rhino, he is at least excited about the prospect of playing overseas when the CPL season begins March 17.

"It will be a new experience, experience another culture while I keep doing what I love and all I've done in my life, playing baseball," Ramirez told ESPN Deportes’ Enrique Rojas.

Now 40, Ramirez last played in the Majors in 2011 with the Rays, but he abruptly retired five games into the season after it was reported that he had tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs and faced a 100-game suspension. After sitting out that entire season, he returned in 2012 and signed a Minor League deal with Oakland, but he was released in June after hitting .302 in 17 games for Triple-A Sacramento and never reaching the Majors.

This winter, Ramirez played 25 games for Aguilas in the Dominican Winter League, hitting .293 with four home runs and 17 RBI on a team that reached the Championship Series and featured Miguel Tejada and ex-Yankees shortstop Erick Almonte among others.

Over his 19-year MLB career, the Washington Heights-born slugger hit for a .312 average, smashed 555 home runs, and was a 12-time all-Star.

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