On Ramirez

The question would be then do you think the Red Sox will offer Ramirez arbitration.

I'm not exactly on the edge of my seat wanting Manny to go anywhere. Kudos to the Sox front office on the smear job though. Just soured this fan possibly forever, lifelong fan too. Hope Manny goes nowhere.

Iam not also hoping that manny should be traded at this point when the whole bullpen is not doing well.Give a break GM and the front office, why are you so much taken by Mannys issue than taking care of the bullpen? we are loosing the taste of watching our team lose everynight..Its pathetic, shameful for defending champs to beaten up in their own territory.Leave manny alone he is going to bat well if only he is given peace of mind by the provoking media.Too much of some thing is poisonous.He is human and has feelings.As much as some are tired of him some still love him.Let him part ways happily than send him off sadly you will reap back sadly.Our loved champs GO SOX you still can break the record.Good luck tonight.

There are only a small handful of players who could be considered "of equal value" in any Manny trade. Keep in mind, Ortiz needs that Ramirez-like protection in the lineup to maintain his effectiveness. Of all contending teams, who could offer the closest to equal value to keep the Sox in the race after July 31? The Mets could offer Beltran and a prospect. Beltran in Fenway has always been interesting. Burrells from Philly is simply not enough. Of Willingham and Hernida from the Marlins, neither has the presence in the Sox lineup that Ramirez presents. Jason Bay? Doesn't do it. But lets face it - even with Manny, does this team as presently constituted look like they can compete if the playoffs started today? Not with the Angels, Yankees or Rays. Maybe we need to look ahead.