Ramirez clears waivers, remains with Red Sox

Manny Ramirez, placed on irrevocable waivers by the Red Sox, passed through waivers today, and remains the property of the Red Sox, according to the Boston Globe’s Gordon Edes. If any team had claimed Ramirez over the 48-hour waiver period, it would have been responsible for the remaining five years of his contract, worth approximately $95 million.

The Red Sox now still have the option of trying to deal Ramirez to another team, but would likely have to eat some of his salary, and also may have to take on high-priced talent in return.

There was a 1 p.m. deadline to put in a claim on the slugger, who hit .325 with 37 home runs and 104 runs batted in last season with Boston.

The Red Sox have remained quiet on the entire process. Majority owner John Henry cited a $250,000 fine for discussing players on the waiver wire.

Ramirez angered fans and management earlier this year when he told ESPN’s Joe Morgan that he had always dreamed of playing for the Yankees. New York publicly said yesterday that it had “no interest whatsoever” in acquiring Ramirez. The Yankees are expected to go after free agent outfielders Vladimir Guerrero and Gary Sheffield, who figure to command lower salaries than Ramirez’s nearly $20 million per year.

By ridding themselves of Ramirez’s contract, the Red Sox would have been able to use the money to sign the core of free agents the team is expected to have next year. Nomar Garciaparra, Pedro Martinez, Trot Nixon, Derek Lowe, and Jason Varitek can all walk after the 2004 season.

There were also published reports in the New York Post and Fort Worth Star-Telegram today that suggested the Red Sox may be trying to move Ramirez in order to trade Garciaparra and acquire Texas Rangers shortstop Alex Rodriguez, the only other player in baseball who has an annual salary higher than that of Ramirez.

Rodriguez hit .298 with 47 home runs and 118 runs batted in during the 2003 season.