3-way with Pittsburgh, Marlins for real...but not done

well, hopefully we wake up tomorrow morning to find it is true.

the smear campaign you folks and the Sox front office have have been running on this player is so intense if he doesn't get out of town now, you may end up with actual blood on your hands.,

Say it ain't so, Manny...

The deal I'm beginning to see pop up everywhere has the Red Sox also including two yet-to-be-named prospects, with one each going to the Marlins and Pirates.

Gordon, do you think the Sox would be giving up too much by giving up prospects (though I know it depends on their level) in addition to trading Manny and paying the remainder of this year's contract?

I like Jason Bay a lot and believe he's an upgrade on the basepaths and in the field -- hopefully he can get used to the wall -- and I also think Grabow is a nice option considering the asking price for guys such as Will Ohman and Ron Mahay. Sure Manny's a rental for the Fish, but he IS Manny Ramirez.

Are we selling ourselves short?

great reporting...this was everywhere about 5 hours ago

No matter who the Red Sox acquire, Im sure the Angels and Yankees will be thrilled once Manny is gone.
Has Theo Epstein forgotten that this team has serious holes? With this Manny Ramirez situation, he is creating another one that of course is much more complicated to fill than adding another bullpen arm or another bat or whatever.
So trading Manny for Bay wont neccesarily improve the team, let alone the LF situation. But well, if the front office feel they are more important than the Red Sox baseball team, Im sure they are delighted to have Manny's childish character gone.

How is this not Mannys mess ?

better to get something now for him than to have him dog it the rest of the season and have him walk away with nothing in return..

did you see ESPN clocked him at 5.7 seconds to first base the other day...he got there just after my crawling 11 month old

I love what Manny has done for the Red Sox, he's a great player destined for the hall. But he's also a petulant manchild who appears to be maddeningly self-centered. it's hard to smear a player who annually complains about playing in Boston. He does so despite the fact that Boston signed him to one of the largest contracts ever and then surrounded him with enough talent to win 2 world series. The fault in this sad spectacle falls on Manny. He's complained about Boston for years, for unclear reasons. And he has never forgiven the sox for humiliating him by putting him on irrevocable waivers at the conclusion of the 2003 season. While it's disappointing to see him put himself, and his desire for millions of more dollars, before his team his departure will only help this year, and next, years teams.

I now officially hate the front office. so sick of the propaganda
machine. they're getting rid of the man arguably most responsible for bringing two championships to Boston. can't tell you guys how much I'm gonna miss Manny, 400obp, 530 slugging and 300 average. look at bay's numbers from last year if you're unconvinced this is a mistake. this is probably the only time I'll ever find myself agreeing with Steve Phillips.

Please trade Manny. There is no room on a team for a baby like this. Could someone please fill me in on what it is that he is unhappy with? Is it that the club lets him show up late for everything? That he takes unneeded days off and they don't discipline him? That he gets to attack other players and staff and they do nearly nothing about it? For the $20mil he is making he should at least put some effort into being a player, which he has not done in the regular season since 2005. Ditch his worthless !@#.

I am a crazy fan of the redsox but manny has to go this has gone to far with the latest comments bring in bay atleast he will run the bases. He also has more homeruns go figure.

It just doesn't make since to me for the Red Sox to trade Manny...but....It is what it is! Seems like he has over stayed his welcome.

Gordon,
I dont want to see Manny go, but it appears he is not with the team or the organization. Bay is nice replacement, but I dont think the trade puts the Sox in the running with the Halos or Yankees after their recent trades. It will be nearly impossible to replace his production at the plate, and we really need another SP to step up. Colon is close to coming back so maybe he is the guy and Clay can help solidify the bullpen, but there is another option out there that no one is mentioning..... Yes, Barry Bonds. I know he brings some big baggage with him, but he should be able to play the short LF at Fenway as good as Manny and some away games they could have Ortiz put on the glove and move Youk to LF. I know its not a popular move, but Ortiz-Bonds would be a pretty intimidating duo. And Bonds will come cheap and at no expense. Is this unrealistic? Worth teh risk? I know Boston fans would have mixed emotions, but to see Barry in the on-deck circle behind Ortiz would be something...... your thoughts?

I like Manny very much but if the Sox don't get something for him now they won't get a thing. As for the "smear campaign" alluded to in an earlier post it seems Manny has led the charge on that front with his antics of the past few weeks.. Manny has been a great Red Sox player and perhaps he's done one last favor for the Sox by pushing this trade with his erratic behavior... I only hope we get a right handed hitter like Bay.

Mannys been a poison to the team and their recent lack of success, is the first indicator. If we get Bay and Grabow, and dont give away too much in prospects, then effin see ya manny. I love him and what hes done for the Sox, but he needs someone to smack him upside the head and tell to him stop acting like a child. Not scott boras yappin in his ear about what he should be making rather someone to tell him how good he has it in boston, not to mention the fact that he makes them better, as they make him better.

"Why

"If Red Sox management wants to cut ties with Ramirez after this season -- and a very good argument can be made for doing so -- why can't they simply explain their reasons? Why can't it be strictly business? I'd respect that, as I believe most fans would. Why does this current ownership group, which makes a point of saying they do not run the team according to the whims of the fan base, have to resort to media leaks and childish smears designed to turn the fans against a player? As long-time fans, we deserve better. And the players deserve better."

This was taken from joyofsox.blogspot.com
And well said I may add.

John Grabow...

The answer, to an extent, is yes, we are selling ourselves relatively short.

Sox give up:
-Manny Ramirez
-Jed Lowrie (a name I've heard bounced around)
-A mid-level prospect (Hagadone? Maybe a stretch)
-Cash (the remaining $7MM on Manny's salary)

Sox receive:
-Jason Bay: projects favorably power-wise against Manny with slightly lower RBI/slugging totals which will change for the better in a heavier Sox lineup
-John Grabow, a serviceable lefty reliever with a 2:1 K-BB ratio.

The fact remains that, even as a rental, a HOF lock rental, Manny Ramirez is damaged goods. The Buckos want more return from the Marlins (a Hermedia/Bay swap leaves a depleted Pirates lineup struggling to compete with lower level high school JV lineups), and the only way to do so is to drain the Sox stocked minor league coffers.

I don't like the idea of overpaying to let the door hit Manny on the way out, but the fact remains that the team has hit a tailspin in the turbulence caused by Manny's all-too vocal secession from the BoSox. While the Sox might overpay in young talent, necessities dictate drastic change as soon as possible.

Thanks for the memories, Manny, but please, don't call Deportes on your way down to Florida.

With all the drama Manny has caused lately I have truely enjoyed watching him play and will miss him a lot, but if this helps the team I am all for it. If this happen I wish the best of luck to Manny in Florida, and thanks for the two rings.

Kathryn....you must be kidding

Wgat have the sox done to embarass Manny....a 160 m contract that has been paid in full...an option that Manny asked for which gave the Sox the ability to wait until October to decide on his contract.....but he takes a shot at ownersip because he gets impatient....I travel 1300 miles to see the sox each year and Manny does not deserve fans like me....thanks for the last 8 years Manny but you have worn out your welcome......enjoy playing for 4500 fans in Florida....maybe then you'll understand what you had in Boston

I do get the feeling that we are selling ourselves short. Of course it's too early to say anything just yet, but I just feel that we are giving up a little too much. Don't get me wrong, I am definitely in favor of the trade and I think it's one we have to make. These recent events with Manny have just made it impossible for the him to continue on with the team (unfortunately, because I love Manny and Thursday may be a very sad day for Red Sox Nation). I like the thoughts of having Bay and Grabow; Bay is definitely an upgrade defensively and speed-wise, not to mention we need desperate bullpun help but we are giving up cash, TWO prospects, and last, but certainly not least, Manny Ramirez (one of the best hitters in baseball). That seems pretty steep for what we get, but honestly I don't see us having many other options. I sure will miss that Ortiz-Manny 1-2 punch...Anyway sox fans, keep those heads up...maybe we can find a great help in Bay/Grabow and our postseason hopes are FAR from over!

The Yankees get Pudge, Nagy and Marte for Farnsworh and some wannabes, and the Red sox get Jason Bay for Manny and give up some prospects? Jason Bay? Give me a break - - -a white flag and cow towing to the owner's overblown ego without a doubt; - - -couldn't even get Kemp and some talent from the Dodgers. Jason f-ing Bay? Time to get rid of the MLB package and wait for football and basketball season .

No matter who the Redcox get for Manny, his replacement won't have a .400+ BA and 50+ HRs against us. It's a win/win situation for us regardless of what happens cuz even if he stays in Boston, your team's chemistry will take a shot. Wasn't it like a month ago when people were saying that the Yankees won't make the playoffs? Well the tides have turned and now the defending world champions won't even make the playoffs while the Yankees are guaranteed a playoff spot for the 14th consecutive year...all without our ace Wang and our starting catcher Posada and injuries during the season to Andy Pettite, Brian Bruney, Alex Rodriguez, Phil Hughes, Ian Kennedy, Hideki Matsui and Johnny Damon.

I am a huge Pirates fan and if I am to see Bay leave town, I hope it is to the Sox. There are only two things you will have to worry about:

His knees (though those seem to be in good shape)
His arm (not by any means considered to be threatening).

However, his leadership skills and hitting ability will make him very dangerous. Considering he was in a less than dangerous position before, imagine placing him around Papi, Drew, and Lowell, and you could likely see his stats go to .300 with 40 home runs per year. If Jack Wilson is included for Jed Lowrie as some sources are saying, you may be getting enough to get you into the playoffs and possibly more.

Gordon...All this garbage makes me very sad, I love Manny. But I just don't understand why he keeps attacking the Red Sox, who seem to have done everything to make him happy. Why can't he just play out the contract he signed and let the chips fall? This whole thing is just so strange.

I think to trade Manny now is the best option, he has allowed this obsession too become to big a distraction. I just can't see the team getting out of this skid with him jabbing at the front office every other day. It has become a bad divorce being played out in front of the kids and it has to stop.

Now if a trade gets done, I really hope the Sox are smart and don't give away anything else other than Manny. Dumping good prospects right now can only make a bad thing worse. Nobody wins in this situation, which is why it is just so strange it is happening in the first place.

XM Satellite Radio reported the Marlins could wind up with Pirates lefty reliever John Grabow in the deal as well as $6 million in cash from the Red Sox. That money would help offset the roughly $7 million Ramirez is still owed for the rest of this year.

Ramirez's current contract includes a pair of club options at $20 million a season for the next two years, but the Marlins could waive those options in exchange for the 11-time All-Star promising to reject an offseason offer of salary arbitration.

That would allow Ramirez to hit the free-agent market this winter while giving the Marlins two high draft picks as compensation. Ramirez hired Scott Boras as his agent early this year and reportedly has told friends he wants a four-year, $100 million extension.

Will someone please just tell the obvious truth ?! Boras is pulling the strings behind this one. Manny is a 7 year old and he is being handled big time! Boras gets nothing if Manny's option is picked up....so force the hand and presto---new deal worth 100 mil? 90 mil? 75 mil? ....whatever, he makes some more cash while Manny has value at 36 as opposed to getting nothing at 38! I LOVE Manny, but please do not take what he says as his own calculated attempt to escape $40 mil in options!!
This crusade against Manny is ridiculous...he's a child. Go after the real SOB in this little charade.....BORASSSS.

There's no smear campaign against Manny, the quotes are NOT taken out of context. It's impossible to keep a player on your team who says this:

"The Red Sox did the same with guys like Nomar Garciaparra and Pedro Martinez, and now they do the same with me. Their goal is to paint me as the bad guy. I love Boston fans, but the Red Sox don't deserve me -- 7.30.08,

In REALITY, where many of us enjoy living, the Red Sox parted ways with Nomar and Pedro at exactly the right time (how soon will he drag Millar and Nixon into this "conversation" which only exists between him and the media). Maybe their instinct simply makes them an intuitive ownership who has produced two World Series Rings for a franchise famous for their untimely losses?

I guarantee Theo will feel great once this one is over. It's very disappointing to see Many treat a franchise which has consistently bent over backwards to do him good (i.e late arrivals at S.T, defending missing All Star Games etc.), with such disrespect.

Never mind the money he's made. You would never treat your boss this way, It's outright disrespectful. The rest of the lineup (essentially hard working stiffs) will not miss him. I will, but c'est la vie. Till we meet again monsieur Ramirez, enjoy Florida, I know it's not the Yankees, but maybe next year

-Josh-

I HATE TO SAY IT BUT MANNY SHOULD GO IF HE DOESNT WANT TO PLAY FOR BOSTON...IF HE STAYS HE JUST HURTS THE TEAM ,BY NOT GIVING 100 PERCENT !

I would much rather reiceve Jeremy Hermida and a prosprrct form Florida and fprget about the Pirates and Bay. I think Hermida will be a star one day, don't you agree?

Send no top prospects with Ramirez, but send him packing...the team is sinking with him.....

sorry boys its a done deal....palm beach post is accurate..yankee fans are dancing in the street

How is this the front office propaganda machine ?
many has been the one doing all the talking, and they have been saying what a nice guy he's been.

Fact is he's making $123500.00 a game ($13700.00) per inning and he wants to negotiate his next contract before this one is finished.

Try walking into your job tomorrow and telling the boss your working half speed until he solves your future for you.

My God I am rolling on the floor laughing at all the Manny apologists. But I have to admit, I was one of you for years.

But I have seen the light finally.

When are you going to get it ? This guy is a first class jerk. In the past it was easier to get past some of his juvenile antics, but he has turned on the afterburner when it comes to acting like an idiot. Manny being Manny does not cut it anymore. Any player that claims an organization is disrespecting him after paying him nearly 160 million dollars in 8 years needs to have his head examined.

I bet all of you Manny lovers whined and complained when pouting Pedro was let go as well. Looks like that was a pretty good decision by Theo, eh ? The Mets certainly well spent 13 million per season on Pedro, didn't they ? The guy pops a hamstring just sitting on the throne to take a dump.

Manny had it made here and he blew it. He was popular and adored by the fans. He won a couple of rings. He made LOTS of money. He was protected and pampered by the Red Sox. But he just couldn't learn to keep his big mouth shut and stop spewing idiocy.

The Manny drama has run it's course. It's no longer cute or funny. How fans can apologize for a professional athlete who decks a 64 year old traveling secretary over tickets to a baseball game is beyond belief. Even after that the Sox protected Manny and his image. And these latest comments is how he pays them back. Well stick it up your butt Manny.....take your tired act somewhere else.

I for one will boo this turd lustily if he ever shows back up in an opposing uniform.

He had it made here.....and not all he has made is his own bed.

I want to see a Police escort to the Airport this afternoon, or I am done for the season and advise a full boycott - screw him - "Boston DOES NOT DESERVE A PLAYER LIKE ME" - Your right-now hit it!!!!!!

"Hate from the front office"? "Smear campaign"? That is rich. It's also imagined and exactly what Manny and his agent would like you to believe. What's lacking is Manny's accountability for his own actions. No one forced him to sign an 8 year, $168 million contact that made him a rich, rich man and had 2 team option years tacked on the end. In fact, the Cleveland Indians who had already made him a rich man begged him not to sign with Boston at all.

Understandably we all love what Manny has done with his bat for the Sox but now in the 21st century offering up our unconditional love to pro athletes is done at your own peril. This is not a marrige, it's an minor love affair. Cut the emotional ties now and you can look back in years to come with fondness at your youthful foley, even if you were forty at the time.

Don't hate Manny and certainly don't hate the Sox FO over this. It's simply time to move on. You have Papelbon, Lester, Pedria and Elsbury now, not to mention one big Papi. This is just a free agent shooting his way out of town. It's a regular thing with virtually every team. It's not something that happens in Boston because there's something wrong with us. (That's just the NY media version of events.)

Take a deep breath and enjoy another 2 months of baseball watching your World Series Championship team.

Get used to losing, guys.

"Hate from the front office"? "Smear campaign"? That is rich. It's also imagined and exactly what Manny and his agent would like you to believe. What's lacking is Manny's accountability for his own actions. No one forced him to sign an 8 year, $168 million contact that made him a rich, rich man and had 2 team option years tacked on the end. In fact, the Cleveland Indians who had already made him a rich man begged him not to sign with Boston at all.

Understandably we all love what Manny has done with his bat for the Sox but now in the 21st century offering up our unconditional love to pro athletes is done at your own peril. This is not a marrige, it's an minor love affair. Cut the emotional ties now and you can look back in years to come with fondness at your youthful foley, even if you were forty at the time.

Don't hate Manny and certainly don't hate the Sox FO over this. It's simply time to move on. You have Papelbon, Lester, Pedria and Elsbury now, not to mention one big Papi. This is just a free agent shooting his way out of town. It's a regular thing with virtually every team. It's not something that happens in Boston because there's something wrong with us. (That's just the NY media version of events.)

Take a deep breath and enjoy another 2 months of baseball watching your World Series Championship team.

We can't trade Nomar! He's the face of the franchise! We HAVE to re-sign Pedro at all costs!!! He's our ace! We MUST resign Damon! He gets our offense going and we wouldn't have won the WS without him! The sky is falling! The sky is falling!

I want this deal 2 go through. Atleast Bay is faster.

Why are there sox fans blaming the organization? I know, because they're idiots. In case anyone has forgotten, we happen to be the defending World Champions. Theo miraculously was able to keep most of the team intact and we had a good chance to repeat. Now Manny is single handedly destroying the team chemistry because he wants to make sure he can get out of town by the trade deadline. No interest at all in winning, just give me the deal that I want now or I am going to sit on the ball. You have to be an absolute imbecile to blame anyone else but Manny here.

About time. Time to stop living in the past. Manny had his time. No way did he deserve 20 Million next Year & we would have received nothing for him.

Bay has had pretty good stats especially when you consider he has been with Pittsburgh.

This may wind up being a big plus down the Road.

Unless Manny goes the Bonds Steroid route do not expect him to hit 40 HR's again, he will be lucky to get 30 this year.

Move on folks, you cannot live in the past.

About time. Time to stop living in the past. Manny had his time. No way did he deserve 20 Million next Year & we would have received nothing for him.

Bay has had pretty good stats especially when you consider he has been with Pittsburgh.

This may wind up being a big plus down the Road.

Unless Manny goes the Bonds Steroid route do not expect him to hit 40 HR's again, he will be lucky to get 30 this year.

Move on folks, you cannot live in the past.