Source: MLB investigating Manny's departure

Holy Dreadlocks, Batman!!! This Bud's for you.

Makes enough sense to warrant looking into. It could also just be a case of a player not being happy or motivated. I wonder what would happen if there was evidence of Scott Boras and Manny planning to coast in the first half.

Boras a scumbag? Shocking!

Dan Shaughnessy needs to get a life. Manny and Sox moved on. Why not this guy?
He must be sick. He is a mouth piece of FO. He couldnt still stop bitching about Manny. Missing Manny's majestic homers Dan?

Absolutely, he tanked it to force the Sox to give something up. I commend the Sox for having the guts to move him. At this point, should a credible case of fraud (yes, I said fraud) develop, his salary from the Sox should be terminated, among other things.
Now the question is, is Ortiz making a similar half-hearted effort?

I live in st.louis and I am a Red Sox and Manny fan!! Man, Manny looks good!! He hit a homerun and everyone on the dodgers seems to be having fun.

If this investigation is for real things are about to get very interesting. I'd love to see Boras and ManRam held accountable for their disgraceful exploitation of the matter at hand.

It will be hard to prove anything, but yeah, investigate. The man did not live up to his contract.

Why does this not surprise me! He'll probably wear an LA hat when he's introduced at a future all star game like Wade Boggs! Glad he's gone!

I can't imagine there being any question that Manny"s behavior was calculated - whether instigated by Boras or by Manny himself. Frankly, the whole thing left a really bad taste in my mouth and made me question the integrity of the game as a whole. I feel better that MLB is going to look into it. I'll never forget the look of sheer frustration and sadness on Terry Francona's face during all of that. You just knew that he was sickened by the lack of respect Manny has for the game of baseball. I hope they find him guilty of some infraction and punish him accordingly.

Duh of course. How's Manny's left knee...oh I mean right knee...hammy...?

Its obvious...

Manny absolutely tanked his final days in Boston. He is a childish, selfish, prima donna. I cannot wait until something goes wrong for him in LA and he gets set straight and the true Manny comes out. Hopefully (not likely) his antics will cost him (and Boras-h-o-l-e) years and money this offseason. Good riddance you loser. I never liked you and now I feel even stronger about that. It would also be great to see the captain dump Boras for enabling Manny.

I think it's good that the Commish is investigating. I don't know if Manny's insubordination amounts to throwing the game. If it does, this is exactly the kind of thing that the Commissioner's Office was created to deal with. If it can be shown that Manny intentionally threw games or plays, then he should be fined. The integrity of the game is at stake. Moreover, letting him get away with this would set a bad precedent. Finally, if Boras was pulling strings getting Manny to throw games, Boras he should be fined and banned.

Doesn't surprise me the least bit. I've always said i'd be happy and sad the day Manny left the Red Sox. This only makes me happier that he's gone. I can't wait to hear it when the Yankees sign him in the offseason to some VERY lucrative deal. Heck we're not going to know if he's on the decline or just being straight lazy. It will probably be both though. Good Luck Yankee fans. Don't say we didn't warn you.

Couldn't be more obvious. Boras was born without conscience or scruples.

Doesn't sound beyond the realm of possibility with old Boras behind the scenes pulling the strings, after all there are a lot of greedy people out there.

Manny wanted a new contract and for us not to pick up his options. The Globe pointed out also that we missed two Joba starts, two Felix Hernandez starts, the Justin Verlander start and the Edison Volquez start....so by doing that he is seemingly trying to pad his stats and frustrate the sox front office and his teammates so that we will be traded to another team. He watned to put up good enough stats, but we also wanted to not have the sox exercise their options.

Boras that devious ? Perish the thought.

Manny has about the same integrity as Clark Rockefeller.

right on......what Manny and Boris did was discraceful. Theo did a good job agetting him out of town.

Makes sense.
Was that Boras that Manny was talking to in the Green Monster? He said, "hey Manny, why don't you jog to first at your next at bat. Trust me, I have a plan that will make both of us a lot of money."

Seriously though, I haven't seen Manny run the bases as hard as he has been in LA in a long time. That alone is kinda messed up.

He is a scumbag, but you know what? We won two World Series with him and it is highly unlikely he will ever win another one in his career. The Sox, on the other hand, are still loaded with talent (and young talent, for that matter) and will probably make a run at another World Series for the next few years.

I absolutley can't wait until he quits on the team that Boras suckers him off to next year.

Regardless of how things unfolded - it was obvious and disgraceful to watch my favorite player on the Red Sox not earn his $20 Million Dollars. "I just want to play baseball" says Manny, and that's bullcrap, beacuse he didn't play baseball with the sox, he played games. Manny had all of us fooled last spring training into thinking he was going to put MVP caliber numbers so the Sox can pick up the option...however, the rat Scott Boras knows he can't do any worse propaganda than what he did with A-Rod by giving the middle finger to the Red Sox and baseball during the world series A-Rod Opt Out with the Yankees...this is just the sequel to Scott Boras being the fall guy for the Baseball Players Union best interest - like a mafia - because at the end, its all about the money...and its sad.

of course..this is what I thought all along. It was patently clear that Manny would do what was needed to escape Boston and those final two option yrs.

sure what be nice if other teams realized that $20 MIL is a lot to hand a 38 year old guy,with Scott Boras as an agent ,after they just did what they did.

The whole thing is a joke and Manny an Boras are going to make out like bandits. They got exactly what they wanted. I think this single act by Theo Epstein and Larry Luchino, more than anything else they've done, shows how much they value winning, the fans, the game itself, and doing what is right. They knew they've been in "no-win" situation with Manny going back to 06'. They finally did what they had to do, which was cut their losses. Manny and Boras have absolutely no scruples whatsoever and I can only wish it will come back to bite them, But it won't. MLB will never be able to prove anything and Manny and Boras will sign a big fat free agent contract next year. If the Sox wanted to be jerks they could have picked up his 20 mil option the next two years, but they value their fans, the team, and the game too much. Manny and Boras are walking insults to the game. Good riddance.

They should Ban Boras from ever working with a client again and make an example out of manny, a fine of 10 million dollars and resend the contract where the option years must remain. This crap boras is pulling has got to stop, one thing is representing a free agent, but to undermine a players contract is bull.

Is it just me or does this seem like a pointless posting? I just presumed that it was known he was playing half speed. He took 3 pitches againt Rivera against the yanks and he was takin 5.7 seconds to run to first base, also everytime he hit the ball it seemed to be half effort. Those balls hes hitting for homeruns would have been easy lineouts in fenway

If true, than that is the same as throwing games and he should be banned from baseball for life. At least Pete Rose still tried to win.

"Manny and Sox moved on."

Uh... hello? MLB is looking into it - they're not "moving on" anywhere. This "move on" garbage is OLD. Fact is, Manny breached his contract. Yeah, I bet he wants to "move on" and not have it looked at. But MLB must look into this, lest EVERY player get the idea they should start faking mystery illnesses when they want a change in their contracts.

Maybe manny did play at half speed... maybe not, but there's nothing anyone can prove. There's nothing Selig could prove either.

I'm sure it'll come down to Manny just not being happy and that's what effected his play on the field.

First off, Boras is about as slimy as you can get. It would not surprise me if he put the whole idea in Manny's head. But.....you have to give the majority of the blame to Manny for going through with this whole routine. Absolutely this was calculated, and the sad part is he got exactly what he wanted. Nothing like getting rewarded for being a pathetic loser. I used to like Manny, but my love for the game of baseball and how it is supposed to be played has changed all that. You'd think for $20 million he could run out a freakin ground ball. And, if I had to watch him run down to 2nd base one more time and just veer off instead of attempting a take out slide on the middle infielder I think I would have blown chunks. Not a team player in the least bit! And now in LA all of a sudden he can run like a freakin gazelle. Give me a break! Good riddance and good luck winning the World Series with the Dodgers.....you'll need it!

If this is a colusion job by Manny and Boras then, then Selig needs to ban Ramirez for life just like Pete Rose was. Boras should lose his license and be very heavily fined. The whole thing is sounds very fishy to me.

Manny's moved on-maybe you should Big Red. Manny tanking it for his own benefit? NO S&*! SHERLOCK!

Where is the evidence here? He said his knee was bothering him?

He went 2-5 and 3-5 in 2 of his last games.

Pretty ridiculous claims.

What I want to know is what can be done if the commish's office does find evidence of shenanigans. What can they do? Is there even a precedent of this? Would it be treated like players who tanked games for $$ (essentially Manny seems to have been screwing around to make more money next year)? If so, could Manny be banned from baseball like the "Black Sox" and Pete Rose? Technically it's not gambling but it is trying to affect the outcome of a game from one's own gain...this could get interesting. I would love it if there is proof (ie- did the Sox tape the alleged phone call from Boras promising Manny would be good if the Sox dropped the option years)...

Manny and Boras' attitude are bad for baseball. Now, contracts are meaningless. Don't like the contract that YOU signed? Half ass it until the team voids it. Sad.

Nothing will come of this. Selig loves to pretend he's concerned and do nothing in the end. There can be no concrete evidence. I think we all know what happened..Manny wanted out of the option years, he threw a tantrum, he got out...

BUT

Selig won't taint the celebration in LA while the "99" Jerseys are selling and registers are ringing. Manny is a bonafide star. He has too much power. Boras has too much power. Selig will do the requisite "investigation", and we'll never hear another word about it.

I was as big a Manny fan as there ever was or will be, and i was TOTALLY REPULSED by the way he played his last 10 games with the Sox. Anyone with half a brain can see he was shooting his way out of town and out of his contract. Both he and Boras should be banned from the game.

This is just the Sox leaking crap to make Manny look bad, just like they have done in the past. Completely classless, not that Manny isn't, but the team should take the high road. Athletes have gone at half speed plenty of times in the past, but no inquiries then? The sox probably requested that baseball look into it.

Sorry, but this is crap.

Manny's numbers for July, his last month with the Sox:

.347 AVG, .473 OBP, .587 SLG, 1.060 OPS
4 HR, 16 RBI

It is unfortunate that Jacoby Ellsbury, J.D. Drew, Dice-K and Jason Varitek are also represented by Boras. If I were in Red Sox management, I think I'd stop taking his calls.

This is one (of which there are many) example of how "free agency" is undermining the integrity of major-league baseball. Does everything about free agency reak?...certainly not. Does free agency, more often than not, give baseball a good or a bad rap?...certainly a bad one.
Yastrzemski used to negotiate his salary directly with Mr. Tom Yawkey; no sharks in suits around. Baseball today is a love/hate relationship.

"What I want to know is what can be done if the commish's office does find evidence of shenanigans. What can they do?"

Suspend him for the rest of the season - without pay - is what they COULD do. Yeah, they'll get grief from the Players' Union, but if it sticks, it means potential employers next year will want a discount for a player officially branded as 'trouble'. So: Since Manny dogged it to fatten his wallet, you hit him in the wallet.

Consider:

1) All the Sox veterans wanted him OFF the team. THEY all believed it was deliberate. (Right there is MLB's best defense against the players' union.)

2) The problems all started when the Sox would not tear up the options.

3) The mysterious, then vanishing, knee ailments.

4) The sudden acting-out against teammates and personnel.

5) Boras called after the deal was cut, promising no more problems IF the options went away. (If there's a serious investigation, they'll go through the phone records. Boras has already denied calling the Sox back AT ALL after the deal, so any call from him makes him a liar.)

I think there's a smoking gun to be found, and MLB has GOT to discourage this sort of thing. Watch this rumor grow some legs.

I hope they make Manny or Scott Boras give $5 million back to the Sox as penalty.

Manny was made to hit and he is fun to watch... and I will always watch. Problem is he has NO INTEGRITY, he could care less about anything but himself... he quit on his teammates, his coach, his fans, himself for money. How can you respect a person who does that? Would Schilling quit? Would Youk quit? Would Pedroia quit? Would Jason Bay quit? Would anybody quit like that? Good riddins Manny.. I hope you keep hacking because it's fun to watch, but thank God the Sox finally gained some integrity by losing your act.

Dead-on. Think we all knew this, but are so sick of the drama. Bud won't do anything, just trying to save face.

What would come from the Commish's investigation...negation of the trade? Do we really want or need that...Perhaps some monetary compensation for the team?

Frankly, its all too ridiculous because the MLB players union is too strong and Manny's antics probably fit within their slanted view of player rights...

Hmm...Wasn't it July 6th, against the bronx bimbo's that manny had the opportunity to tie/win the game, only to leave the bat resting on his shoulder for 3 strikes by their closing guy?

I got an "win-win" idea... where we might be able to kill 2 birds with one stone. Here's my idea:

Bud Selig temporarily re-instates Pete Rose... but only if he agrees to analyze the video tapes of Manny's 2008 season with the Sawks. Mr. Hustle can then report to the league whether or not he believes that Manny was actually "dogging it".

If Manny was indeed "withholding services", then fine Man-Ram 50% salary for the period dring which he was doing that. and...

If Pete Rose doesn't place a bet on the outcome of this "Manny Report", then he shall be re-instated perminently.

Manny's Numbers for July: .347 with an OPS of 1.060 in 22 out of a possible 24 games. Looks like a real sandbag effort to me....

Papi doing the same thing? Dude, he stole second base the other night. He rarely steals. Don't sound like a guy who is playing at half his talent...sounds like a guy who just needs to re-figure the zone....he'll be fine. Papi's cool.

captain obvious

I am not at all surprised. I hope Manny and Boras get in trouble for this crap. I knew Manny was faking. And since he has not hurt at all since moving cross country I like that Baseball is looking into it.

Hope he gets banned from baseball. Or that when he goes free agent next year that no body wants to touch him. I know that will not happen, but it would be nice. Hey maybe he will end up in Japan.

Manny hit 347/473/587 for us in july...just another case of Manny being Manny. Thanks for the memories, and if you had to go, thanks for going to the National League.

Register me in the column of folks who want MLB to investigate this to the end! That was a disgraceful display of a lack of professionalism by a man who was earning more money that most of us can make in 20 lifetimes! That we may not be surprised by this behavior on the part of Manny or Boras should not excuse it. Go Selig, go!!

Good luck proving that a player with a .347/.473/.587/1.060 line in July was dogging it.

I have to say there is definitely plenty of circumstantial evidence to support this theory.

Consider Manny already has two World Championships and has cemented his place in the Hall of Fame. What else does he have to play for other than the $$$Money$$$?

Boras is notorious for getting top dollars for his clients, so Manny hatches this scheme along with Boras to ensure he gets mucho dinero at the end of his career.
Manny is almost certain to earn in excess of $40 million (2009 and 2010 options the Red Sox held) by signing a 3-4 year deal worh a low ball estimate of $55-$75 million deal. When in reality he probably only has 2 good years left.

Irregardless if he is guilty or not of this crime. Manny definitely "tanked" it his final month in Boston. Of that there is no doubt.

Of course, no mention from Shaughnessy that his favorite pal Schilling was the first to float this theory publicly. There is a difference between what is likely/plausible and what can be proven. They aren't going to be able to prove anything. Manny is a poor deluded child to think anyone was ever going to or ever will pay him 20M to play baseball next year. The only winner in this are the Dodgers, their fans and Boras.

So I thought Manny found "inner peace," and started hitting like crazy. So suppose they find out he wasn't pulling his full weight? Send him back to Boston. I'm sure Ortiz would be happy. Send Manny to a sports shrink and explain that if he doesn't produce he goes to jail, etc., many interesting ramifications. How do you know if he is not playing to his full capacity, 1 homer a game, 2, 3? How do his teammates respond. Who is actually responsible here? the agent, the player, management. This is why law schools are so full.

Come on, guys. We need to learn when to cut our losses. We can't let Manny continue to be a cancer from across the country. What do we stand to gain? Even the fairy-tale of getting our $7 million back, who cares? Dan, I love your writing, but you have to stop tearing the clubhouse apart just to get the scoop. Let Bud do what he's gonna do. I'm sure nothing will come of it and we wouldn't even have heard the rumor if you hadn't been so.... diligent.

We've moved on. Manny is gone. To dwell on this is just paying more attention to the distractions that Manny created within the clubhouse. Wasn't one of the main reasons for trading him to rid the team (and the fans) of such distractions? While it may be possible that Manny was holding back until his departure, there is no sure-fire way to prove it. So IMO the point is moot. Let's all keep moving on and focus on repeating the championship.

.347/.473/.587/1.060 enough said... everyone needs to let it go and move on Manny had a great career here in boston its end on a bit of a sour note but what can you do. all that can be proved is the guy flat out produced and brought the team wins for 71/2 years. now that he is gone both he and the sox are in better places so let it go.

Fact is, Shawny has hated Manny for the last few years, and it's irresponsible for the Globe to sponsor his personal vendetta against him. Screw Shawny--he's a first class douchebag and second rate reporter

This sounds to me like there are a LOT of bitter Red Sox fans out there wanting to try and stir an imaginary pot because Manny is doing so well in LA and has been so well received. And that's ALL it sounds like......BTW...anyone check manny's #'s? Certainly does look like he tried to tank it. *sigh*......

I am glad they are investigating, but I think nothing will come of it. How can they prove Manny tanked? We all know he did, but proof is something else. And if MLB do move against Manny, the players will jump up and down and for not entirely bad reasons. What if a player genuinely has something like "general soreness" and doesn't want to play for a couple of days. Might he be accused of pulling a Manny? What I think needs to happen, though, is for the players to take some form of action against Manny because what Manny did hurts everyone, not just the Red Sox. This will change the content of future contracts etc.

All you folks pointing out Manny's numbers are stating the obvious -- We know he can hit! No one is arguing that.

-Can you give me his times to first base?
-How about the number of times he never touched first base after hitting the ball relative to his teammates?
-How about the number of times he bashed the Sox FO compared to last July, or compared to the pre-Boras days?
-How about how many triples could have been doubles if Manny wasn't flopping like a seal?
-How about how many singles would have been outs if Manny didn't like playing the Green Monster like it was a racquetball court instead of running for fly balls? ---How about how many times his fellow outfielders dove for a ball relative to how many times Manny dove for the ball?

Those are the "quitting" numbers, people. We're not talking about ability, we're talking about integrity and hustle!!

And why won't anyone in LA ask him about those knees?

his knees seem fine now

I give the organization kudos for doing what they did when they needed to do it and Bay might be but 80 cents on the Manny dollar but there's no additional baggage

"Good luck proving that a player with a .347/.473/.587/1.060 line in July was dogging it"

seriously.

WHAT ARE YOU ALL TALKING ABOUT LACK OF PROFESSIONALISM. THE GUY KEPT HITTING THE CRAP OUT OF THE BALL. MAYBE THEY SHOULD LOOK AT THE FRONT OFFICE AND SEE WHY EVERYONE THAT LEAVES BOSTON DOES NOT LIKE THE FRONT OFFICE!!! Why don't you investigate that!!!! Stop hateting on Manny!!!!! I am a Red sox fan and hearing you all talk crap is a disgrace!!!!

So Manny can hit .625 against Triple A pitching. Big deal.

"from the bottom of my heart Red Sox fans, I love you guys" Save it Manny. I don't know about the rest of RSN, but I lost ALL respect for you as a person. As a player, you rake, but as a human, you are garbage. Maybe you should take advice from Mike Lowell. He took a paycut to stay in a place that is all about winning, and has the opportunity to become a dynasty. At this point in your career, you don't need anymore money, obviously creating a dynasty and winning more titles in a special place is not your priority. You have made more money than anyone on the team, why don't you have the balls to say it's all about the money? It's obvious to everyone that's all you care about, it sure isn't winning anymore. $20 million a year is not enough? Ya, I would want out to if my 2 week pay check was $555,555. That's awful. Didn't you just say this Spring that you love Boston and want to finish your career here? I guess you put your brain on "beep" when you thought about that one. Loser.

I for one am happy that Manny was traded out of Boston. He became a spoiled self-centered person. I cant call him a ball player because he stood there with the bat on his shoulders too many times letting strikes whiz by him. I think the team is much better without him. He might have a "power bat" but if he doesnt swing it, ithat means nothing at all. Manny faked too many times in Boston, fake injury, fake problems and fake swings.....maybe he will get a fake chance at the playoff!!!

It's obvious to me that he tried to force the Sox hand. He's a phony, but more to the point, I think he should be punished by the commish. If theres truth in this (and I think the truth is as plain as the bogus days off sans valid medical reasons, his ho-hum, laissez-faire lapses on the field and general clubhouse/team obstructive, counter productive and destructive behavior, and the negative public words he directed a few times at management), I think then that he's made a mockery of the sport and it's fans. Here's a 20 mill a year star not trying, period. For all this, and I'm dead serious here, this bum should be reprimanded, and I don't mean a penny-ante fine, Manny Ramirez should be kicked out of the game for the remainder of the season.

It's obvious to me that he tried to force the Sox hand. He's a phony, but more to the point, I think he should be punished by the commish. If theres truth in this (and I think the truth is as plain as the bogus days off sans valid medical reasons, his ho-hum, laissez-faire lapses on the field and general clubhouse/team obstructive, counter productive and destructive behavior, and the negative public words he directed a few times at management), I think then that he's made a mockery of the sport and it's fans.

Here's a 20 mill a year star not trying, period. For all this, and I'm dead serious here, this bum should be reprimanded, and I don't mean a penny-ante fine, Manny Ramirez should be kicked out of the game for the remainder of the season, if not more.

Look, I've always been a supporter of the guy, but this act of treason was/is too much. As for Boras, we all know that guys a slime, what else is new, but for Manny to act as dispicable as it seems he did, he needs to be punshed, aa The Black Sox, or Pete Rose.

This is most likely my last straw. I am done with MLB. The players ruined something I used to dearly love. I had a tough time swallowing the whole McGuire rumors, then the full scope of Steriod and lost tons of interest. Still I loved the Sox.

Now this. It has made me sick of Baseball. No, sick of the players. Spoiled jerks living large while we fans are struggling, And then my favorite of all time pulls these stunts. Selfish punk Manny is.

I have not watch a game in over a week and I have no desire to. I have had fun going to some Independant League games in Bridgeport CT. Those guys play for the love of the game. It is tons of fun to watch.

Also my season Infield Grands will be going to a broker. I promise it will not be StubScrub either. RedSox, Manny, and MLB will never get another dime from me again

i agree that the league should investigate what happened, cuz i truelly believe that manny was not trying hard and intentionally doing bad. I mean come one he plays 5 games for the dodgers and hits 4 homers and what 9 rbi's and hes batting almost .600! He should be suspended for his actions as he was not doing his job which was to help the red sox win games, not to mention he faked injuries. He should get 10 games and a large fine. They should make him pay the 7 million to the back to the sox.

Feeling duped? ... Are you kidding, Mr. Shaughnessy?!!! I read this piece and nearly barfed. First off, since when is hitting .300 with 20 homers and a boatload of RBI in the first half of the season "tanking it"? Did you guys really think Manny forgot how to hit? Further, this nonsense about an implied threat from Boras or Manny to "withhold his services" or "play at half speed" for the rest of the season off is pure fiction. Are you forgetting the fact that Manny had 20 million incentives to play hard for the rest of the season in Boston, and that, if he didn't, no other team would have given him a better/longer contract if the Sox declined his option?o
If you are looking for a reason why Manny may have seemed a little distracted during his final days in Boston, I suggest reading all of the garbage that was written by the bar stool GMs at the Globe. If the home town media was bullying me with all of the salacious, stilted, sensationalistic crap they were piling on Manny, I dare say I would be a little off my game too. My guess is that Manny is playing a little better because he is positively delighted to be in an environment where the local media actually support their home town players.
Frankly, I find it positively stunning that Shaughnessy et. al. are now pining over Manny's departure. Just one week ago, happy hour came early for dear Dan & friends (was Lobel buying?) as they were toasting the genius and cajones of Red Sox management for for kicking Manny to the curb. Let's see... they fired Manny by paying the rest of his salary for the year while he plays for the Dodgers - and they have up Hansen and Moss. Brilliant business move fellas. You sure showed the best right-handed hitter in baseball a thing or too. I hope I get fired the same way.
Let me clue you in to a few things, Mr. Shaughnessy. Contrary to your belief (and your writings), thousands of people in Red Sox nation (I'd wager a plurality) truly enjoyed watching Manny play. For all the vindictive, bellicose crap that you all have spewed about him because of his disdain for the local media (I wonder why), Manny was well known for making time for fans young and old. Unfortunately, it seems that the days of toasting Manny's departure were fleeting. My guess is that the "sports writers" at the Globe have already moved on to drowning their sorrows. Good for them. They brought it on themselves. Just don't come whining to the fans. There are scores of us who appreciated Manny and who wish him continued success in L.A.

Watching the way Manny is playing in LA makes me wonder how many years he's been tanking it. He looks like the Manny from 5 years ago and we haven't really seen this version of him in a really long time. I hope this just isn't alot of talk and the comish does something for once!

Manny will get just what he deserves. Hopefully he'll be with A-Rod next year as the path has been cleared for the Sox to pickup Kaz with some of that money. Pitching and defense wins it anyway, not the b.s from Manny.

We shuld all expect Manny's numbers to go up with the Dodgers, because he is now facing NL pitching instead of AL pitching.

What do I think?......Duhhhh

I wish Lugo would dog it and force a trade.

M

iI FEEL MANNY IS A DISGRACE TO BASEBALL...ANY PLAYER THAT DOES NOT TRY WITH THE MONEY HE IS MAKING IS JUST UNHEARD OF...THE RED SOX ARE BETTER OFF WITH OUT HIM...I DON'T CARE HOW MANY HOME RUNS HE IS HITTING FOR THE DODGERS...SINCE HE LEFT THE SCORE IS MANNY 3WINS AND 3 LOSES WITH THE DODGERS... JASON BAY IS 5 AND 1 WITH THE RED SOX

Manny betrayed his team, his fans and himself. Although he is enjoying a new lease on life and great success with the Dodgers, he doesn't deserve it, following those escapades here. All the way with the investigation, although in all probability, he and Boras will only receive slaps on the wrist. In Manny's case, may it be hard enough to break the right one.

Jordan in Rio

I've thought all along that what Manny and Boras engineered was essentially breach of contract and legally actionable. However, the Sox don't want to anger Boras for fear of damaging future needs.

It's clear that damage was done to both the Red Sox and major league brands in which millions of dollars are invested by the respective parties.

Manny signed a contract, it included two option years and a date by which those options had to be exercised. Having discovered later that he didn't like the options he did everything he could to breach it.

Boras needs to be banned. A-Rod's announcement during the series, Manny not playing so he can get another long term contract... plus just being a scumbag all around. I bet if Jacoby dropped him as an agent karma would be on his side like last year.

The jerk did't take the bat of his shoulder for pete's sake.

It is great to see people see this the same as I do. This is no different then the Rose case in that Manny/Boras intentionally tanked /undermined the integrity of the game for personal gain. there needs to be a significant punitive action by the league that this conduct will not be tolerated. Boras gets "0" commission on any new contract and he doesn't like it he should be banned by baseball. Manny no future hall of fame sorry. And no team should sign Manny for any more than the previous contract. How about a fine and suspension also!! How about the fans who paid the tickets for the games he refused to play! This whole thing sickens me and I am boycotting baseball for the rest of the season. I am 48 yrs old and I play softball still and I always play hard.

Its just a matter of time before the national league starts walking Manny similarly to what they did to Bonds. Also, do you think Manny and his family will really be able to live a secluded life in LA. Be real. As for the Boston fans, Its time to turn the page. I appreciate what he did, but equally discussted with the way he made sure he wouldn't return next year. Its just amazing that this guy would sabatage another potential World Series run. But thats what it looks like.

Manny-gate in 2008. He'll be back, Red Sox Nation. To Fenway. In pinstripes.
Making 100 million, of which 20 percent will go to Scott Boras Enterprises.
Steroid abuse? HGH? Now collusion.
It is an era when the end justifies the means.

Did manny sign a disclaimer before the trade stating he would accept any trade?
If he did not then he could have vetoed the trade based on his 10/5 status.

Hey Guys,

I am a Redsox fan and have been ever since I first saw them on television here in Scotland (United Kingdom). I think that Manny decided that he wanted his options taken even before the season started. I mean, how often has Manny a) turned up for Spring Training on schedule? and b) been in shape from day one?

When the All Star Game came and went and no options had been taken then he reverted to intolerable on and off field behaviour (striking a 64 year old man!), leaving the bat on the shoulder when asked to pinch hit, for example, and was, from my perspective at least, a disruptive and divisive influence and contributed to the 1 for 6 run prior to his trade.

He seems to have returned to form in a hurry in LA. Granted he may also feel the type of relief the Redsox must be feeling since their acrimonious divorce but, lets face it, you can slump at the plate but refusing to hustle running the bases disrespects your team mates, and more importantly, the game itself and that is unforgiveable.

You could be the Wizard of Oz's scarecrow and still figure this one coming a mile away. Boras is what he always has been; a self-serving scumbag who had a more than willing participant to play the puppet role in Manny. Manny was a great player for the Sox and I'm sure he was a fun guy to have around the clubhouse but he possesses absolutely ZERO moral fiber. So be it. As a lifelong Sox fan I've moved on. Unfortunately, even if MLB DOES find cause, Selig's balls belong to the Player's Union and Boras and Manny will get no more than a "slap on the wrist" fine. It sucks because Boras should be booted from the game (IMO, players should be dealt a dose of reality and not be allowed representation by an agent. If they're not smart enough to figure out how to negotiate their own contracts, too bad) and Manny should be shut down for the rest of the season to better rest his "aching knees." Sorry L.A. Manny doesn't "deserve" you!

If Bud Selig uses the above 57 comments as a sampling of how the fans feel about Mannys parting shot at the Red Sox, he will not let this matter die without taking a firm action. BASEBALL will suffer otherwise, not just Manny and Boras.

GOOD. I hope they award the Red Sox the options. When Manny becomes a Free Agent, or better yet, after this year the options come back to Boston and they sign him and then trade him.HA. That would teach Boras, of course the players associations would block stuff like that. We can Dream. The biggest slap in the face would be winning the World Series this year

Boras a big stink fish? Jeez, sounds like JD Drew opting out of his last years in LA to sign a fat deal with the Sox.

Look, the whole things sounds completely out of whack to me - and I've thought that Manny / Boras orchestrated the grief to get a free agent contract at year's end to get the $100M he wasn't going to get by the Sox picking up the options - but we've got to remember that there's more than a hint of double-standard here with the way things played out with JD Drew coming here (and the mutterings about Dice-K associated with that).

What goes around comes around. Man up and support the team we've got, the team that wants to be here and play hard for our Olde Town Team.

no doubt about it
manny and is agent were not kosher

Honestly, I could care less what happens to Manny or Bor-a-ss-hole. Manny played well during his time here and helped the Red Sox win two championships, so I appreciate his contributions.

But this year he tanked it. Being a guileless prima donna, he poisoned the clubhouse to the point where the nicest thing teammates could say about him was, "He hits well." There wan't one "He's a good teammate" or "We respect him." That's all I needed to know about their attitude toward Manny.

Mitigtating this, for me anway, is the fact Jason Bay has exploded offensively in Boston. He's 29, entering the prime of his career, earns far less money than Manny, and has a thoughtful attitude toward baseball and his teammates. I like him and think he's someone fans in Boston will enjoy watching for several years.

Manny may be on fire now, but Bay will be on fire for many years longer. Theo and The Red Sox won this deal, hands down, so I could care less about Manny or his rotten coc-sucker of an agent.

. I'll never forget the look of sheer frustration and sadness on Terry Francona's face during all of that. You just knew that he was sickened by the lack of respect Manny has for the game of baseball. I hope they find him guilty of some infraction and punish him accordingly.

WHAT THE H--- ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT!!! Francoma was Manny's BIGGEST ENABLER over the last 5-1/2 years. That's what "player's managers" do !! B.J. Upton was forced to sit for 2 games by Joe Maddon for not running out a grounder this past weekend

What makes the least sense to me -- and it's amazing to me that we all take this for granted -- is that Manny was so dissatisfied with the prospect of two one-year $20M contracts. The guy MUST be in financial trouble, and he needs MORE than $40M over the next two years to break even.

Also, I am dying to know, how many times in Manny's career has he struck out on three pitches, all looking? And how many times has he struck out on three pitches to Mariano? These are stats that would be meaningful, given the uproar about that lame at-bat vs. Rivera right before he left.

Manny and Scott Boras screwed the red sox and their fans.

I don't trust MLB since Boras I think has them in his pocket.

No more MLB games for me.

Manny and Boras got away with it.

Disgusting.

Games 6 and 7: apparently he had waived his right to veto a trade prior to the trade.

Phil Reed: the difference between Drew and Manny in this case is that Drew had it written into his contract that he could opt out after a certain number of years, same as in A-Rod's contract last year. Manny's contract was written that the Sox had the decision on his option years. It was a contract Boras did not negotiate so if the Sox exorcised the options, Boras would make $0 until Manny became a free agent 2 years later. In two years Manny will be 38. Boras wanted a 4 year deal for a 36 yr old Manny, not 2 yr deal for a 38 yr old Manny (which, presumably, would be a lot less.)

I think we all suspected Boras and Manny did what they did for just that reason. The only surprising part is that someone is actually trying to do something about it, which I applaud. Though ultimately I don't expect much to come of it.

The news itself is not shocking, what would be shocking is if something is actually done about it!

I will wait and see if the Commish Office actually says they are doing this, I don't believe any report from the CHB anymore....

What makes the least sense to me -- and it's amazing to me that we all take this for granted -- is that Manny was so dissatisfied with the prospect of two one-year $20M contracts. The guy MUST be in financial trouble, and he needs MORE than $40M over the next two years to break even.

Also, I am dying to know, how many times in Manny's career has he struck out on three pitches, all looking? And how many times has he struck out on three pitches to Mariano? These are stats that would be meaningful, given the uproar about that lame at-bat vs. Rivera right before he left.

So Boras became Manny's manager in the middle of his contract.
So Boras isn't making any $$$$ off of his current contract.
And if Boston picked up the options, Boras still wouldn't be making any money.
Mmmmmmm........
It isn't rocket science to figure this one out.
I would like to know exactly when Boras picked Manny up.
Around the time Manny started to slack off in Boston?
I will make a bet that is exactly when.
Good luck to the Dodgers, you got him now and when the Dodgers are not a contending team, is Manny going to slack off again? You bet, just wait.
Fine Boras and Manny and throw them out of baseball.

I'm happy for Manny. But I'm still angry with the Sox for trading him. Starting with last Friday, when I gave up my tickets to the Oakland game, I haven't watched a game. I'm sick of it all. And I'm really sick of Shaughnessy.

There's one important fact that Curly Headed Boyfriend keeps getting wrong. Manny didn't watch 3 strikes go by from Rivera. He watched 3 balls go by. The K-zone showed that all 3 pitches were out of the strike zone. Manny could see better than the umpire.

Does it bother anyone else that this low-life snake agent also has other members of the Red Sox under his control???

I think I can't wait to see Manny in pinstripes.

Why even discuss the obvious. He disrespected baseball and his team with no repercussions. He violated his contract for personal gain. Isn't Scott Boras a lawyere? Welcome to American corporate life where the dishonest benefit.

Manny phoned it in since June. He didnt want to be here. If he had stayed after the deadline he would have been a cancer in the clubhouse.
Of course he will be the perfect citizen in LA. He want's that 100 million. Good luck to him. It wont happen!

Hopefully our youth don't look at Manny as a role model or for his work eithic . Yes, he gave us some tremdous years of enjoyment , but to complian and not hustle on a championship team just flabbergast me .

What is he teaching his children , just quit and you'll get your way . I would love to be able to play the game and to get paid is a huge bonus . I don't wish him I'll will , but someday he will have to face his old teammates and look them in the eye .

This just in.........Water is wet and Boras is a capitalist. Next thing you know our government won't be forthcoming with the truth.

Look, just because he has good numbers in July doesn't mean he didn't dog it. If you get hits out of the infield he could jog to first a nd still make it most of the time. The problem is his lackadaisical play in the field and *clearly* not showing any effort to leg out an infield single, of which he said was caused by his "sore knee". Seems like his mystery "sore knee" is alright now in LA, playing for his next big contract.

The fact of the matter is that Manny knew that if he had both of his option years picked up, his next free agent contract would be worth significantly less than if he entered free agency. Boras knew this as well, and he also knew that he wouldn't make a dime off Manny until he reached free agency. Also, the timing off Manny starting to act up, which was jus a few weeks before the trade deadline, makes this seem as if it was a carefully orchestrated plan. I would not be surprised one bit if it was found that Boras convinced Manny to execute what went down. Too many "convenient" facts here to think otherwise.

Conspiracy? No. But Manny overstayed his welcome.

In the weeks leading up to the trade, right after the dugout scuffle with Youk, I think, is when you could see a noticeable change in the team. They stopped enjoying the game. The camraderie started to suffer. And everything was about Manny who made it abundantly clear he didn't want to be there.

Ever been on a team when one player is that negatively vocal? It's not a good place to be. It's a cancer on the team. And what happened the last time a notorious clubhouse cancer was traded mid-season? That's right...the end of 86 years of suffering and New England baseball turmoil.

Who cares if it WAS a conspiracy? He's gone. Our boys are winning again, and you can get a feeling that the clubhouse has gone from relief to having fun again. Heading into the dog days of August during a pennant race, it's a great thing to see.

Boras was behind it all. Selig should make the Dodgers give up another player to the Sox either from the current roster or a highly regared prospect. The player who would come to Boston should be naking at leat $7 million a year. Many dogged it for a reason and it was very obvious he was purposely putting severe pressure on the Sox front offce by his lack of hustle, taking 3 strikes, and verablly whiplashing management, and don't forget he sat out against the enemy.. Let's see if the Comissioner has any couarge to penalize the parties involved.

Ray charles says he could see this comming. Shame on you manny for disgracing the Sox & the game. If that was my son, I would have called him out in front of the world. He will be in pinstripes next year anyway...Good Bye you P.O.S.

As well as Selig letting that whole Drew fiasco go un-noticed where Boras had him opt out of the remaining $33M/3 Yrs with The Dodgers, and then try to make us all believe that he didn't have a "wink & a nod" agreement to bring Drew to Boston, Boras will also cry "foul" on the Manny allegations! I think the commisioner's office is a joke anyways and I go back to when Gary Sheffield was tanking games while playing for a lousy Brewers team in the early 90's. Sheffield later ADMITTED to throwing balls into the stands from 3B in order to get traded and out of Milwaukee!...and NOTHING was ever done about that!

347/.473/.587 during July.
He was an idiot but these numbers prove he was not tanking it.

Manny is a BUM! He should be ashamed of himself for behaving the way he did. I have been a baseball fan all my life. Proffesional sports have gone to far and allowing millionaires like Manny to be involved and the behavior that he exhibited does not teach youngsters anything but GREED,how to backstabhis own team mates, and also shows a contract means nothing, as well as his words. Manny is a spoiled rotten misbehaving child and I will gladly watch his selfish ways bring him down to his knees. He is a phony.

EXACTLY, NOW YOU CAN SEE THE WHOLE PICTURE. HOPE THEY GET FINE AND THE BOSOX STOP PAYING HIS SALARY. JUST WAIT A MONTH OR NEXT SEASON AND MANNYPROBLEMS IS GOING TO DO THE SAME THING ONCE HE IS WITH A NEW CONTRACT. IAM GLAD HE IS GONNNNNNEEEEE. THANKS THEO.

Of course Bor-ass and Manny planned this! Lets see the two have dinner in California during the All-star break and Manny becomes a jackass right after that. Now Boros will get millions when Manny gets a new contract. Hum! Yes and Obama is really really qualified to be Pres. Give me abreak Boros should be bared from baseball!!!!

WHO GIVES A CRAP, IT'S OVER, GET OVER IT, DONE, HE'S GONE.

Does it bother anyone else that this low-life snake agent also has other members of the Red Sox under his control???

Nothing from those two clowns would surprise me. Look at the way Boras handled A-Rod's "free agency" right during the Sox/Rockies World Series. The guy is a complete meglomaniac who'll stop at nothing to enrich himself.

What would be justice is if the League fines both of them about.......hmmmmm, $7 million and hands it over the Sox. That sounds about right.

I don't know if this is real or not, but it would restore my sense of justice in this world if MLB said the option can't just be dropped. Suck it, Boras!

I recall reading that Joe Jackson hit .375 in the 1919 World Series. He was still banned for life from baseball. One long term affect that this may have is that many of the Hall of Fame voters may view him the same way that they view McGwire and not vote him into the Hall of Fame as he has violated the integrity of the game. I viewed him as a shoo in to be elected on the first ballot-now I am not so sure.

Glad he's gone. This was all calculated by Boras and Manny. Theo and company did the right thing and showed how much they value winning and the team. Im glad Bud is looking into this. There is no way a player and agent should have backed the Sox into this situation by threatening to tank the rest of the season unless they get their way and their $$$$, regardless of the signed contracts.

I wonder what Manny's stats would have been if he REALLY tried during his time with the Sox?

Manny playing with the fury of an all time superstar great with the Dodgers again? Lots of homers! Hustle! A wicked swing! Must've been on valium the last few weeks with the Sox.

First off, why so much yelling on this board? Please don't use all capitals.

I grew up in Mass and always loved the Sox, but Boston/New England typifies the angry sports fan. You guys all take this far too seriously...it's for entertainment! Don't let it give you a heart attack...save that for the real problems in the world. Of course baseball is all about money; what pro sport isn't? It's just that some pros know what to do with their millions, and others just need more and more and behave badly because of it. It's human nature. Manny is a star, and developed quite a celebrity complex while in Boston. I still like him though. Shaugnessey and the rest of the Boston press are mean spirited rabble rousers, and enable the hostile environment of sports in this town.

Two things are true. 1. Ramirez' numbers for July are too good to prove beyond a doubt that he tanked. 2. Red Sox officials, with many years of MLB experience, know in their hearts that he tanked.
If therefore MLB lacks the ability to punish him financially, how about this as a possible solution. Invest in the office of the commissioner the power to officially censure a player for , say, conduct detrimental to the game or bringing the game into disrepute by providing less than 100% effort.
Sure this kind of thing will mean nothing to someone who throws senior citizens to the ground but at least it will make us feel better about this mess.

Larry Schwartz

What Boras and Manny did was terrible, but let's also put some blame on RedSox Management. Why didn't Theo and company talk to Manny and Boras when things started to get a little rocky. The point is, the Sox held all the cards. The Sox should have explained that if Manny is not going to give his full attention to baseball, he will be suspended. If it continues, he will be suspended for more games. I would also throw in a fine, but it will have no effect! I would have also explained that the Sox may or may not exercise the option, but according to the deal he signed, they have until November. So, from the perspective of Manny and Boras, Manny needed to play or risk becoming a free agent with a very unproductive year...In terms of the rest of the Sox players, we all work with people who we do not necessary like. And we do not have to like who we work with. Just focus on what you do and don't worry about Manny. Also, others would probably respect the Sox managment for suspending him!

Theo and company did not do this and were played the fool by Boras! Inexperienced leadership....

I don't thinks this does any good for the present, but going forward if Selig and the MLB Officials can prove a player tanked it to get out of a contract it could help the next time it happens and provokes a team to suspend a player without pay. Remember, there was talk of the Sox threatening this on Manny, but the comment was that it would not get through the players union. If this sets precedent where the players union cannot fight this, it will greatly help the next team to be in this predicament.

Manny doing great in LA?! Doesn't this prove just how much he under performed in Boston. I NEVER liked the guy and dislike him even more now. I can't believe that this kind of behavior is tolerated. What is the sense of having a contract in place if you don't have to live up to it. Glad I'm not the only one ticked off about "Man Ram it up your a _ _ ."

Hey, I look at it this way, Manny was good for Boston for a long time. Anyone contributing to this "comment" section was not alive the last time the Sox won a World Series in what can be called the PRE MANNY ERA. Obviously, Manny is not totally responsible for World Series wins, but he was a significant contributor. With all this said, and despite his July numbers as previously reported by someone else, I believe Manny hatched his plan to get out of Boston before the season started. Since I no longer live in the Boston area, I have a limited opportunity to watch the Sox on TV, but I do read the box scores on a daily basis. As far as I'm concerned, Manny has produced less this year (when it counts) than in past years. He's cost the Sox more runs/games with his laziness and stupidity on the bases. Additionally, for the past couple of years Manny's fielding had been steadily improving, but this year he's been looking like he did the first 5 years he was in Boston, only worse. It's about time the Sox let Manny being Manny, somewhere else. Considering the money pro athletes make, how much more do they have to be paid, before they demonstrate a little personal integrity.

Manny is Manny and Boras is Boras. That will never change.

The real culprit will be the next GM/owner that gives Manny $100M.

Woudln't it be justice if he gets less than the $40M for two years he would have gotten with the Sox.

The teams that give ridiculous money are the real prioblem in this game.

BINGO......WE HAVE BINGO !! Let's see if MLB can do the right thing here..... Commish Bud, the AGENTS have made a mockery of the PASTTIME.... Reminds me alot of our DYSFUNCTIONAL CONGRESS led by all the LIBERAL MOONBATS that have placed this country in HARMS WAY......... I would like a full investigation as well as TWO DRAFT choices coming back to the RED SOX when Manny WHO signs that next CONTRACT........ Boras should be banned from the game !!!!!!

How can people still support Manny after all this?! Its absolutely sickening. Manny fans need to wake up! Intentionally performing at a lower level (in a pennant race no less) for the sake of the $$$ is absolutely deplorable. Is it really that much different than point shaving or taking part in throwing a game? How can fans just turn a blind eye?

without reading the other 133 comments... we'd have to be naive if we, or the commissioner's office thought manny and his demon, i'm sorry, i meant agent boras took deliberate steps to get him out of boston. but what power does selig have in this situation? perhaps he can restore the draft picks to the sox? fine manny part of his contract to the sox?

its better for the sox that manny isn't here and even though the red sox had to give away SO much in order to let him go, at least they were able to get a good outfielder at a lower price in the deal. now they can focus on picking up a power bat in order to replace manny's #s and, sadly, eventually, ortiz's #s.

To everyone posting Manny's hitting stats, you're completely missing the point. Manny did not tank it at the plate.; those are the numbers that will get him paid. He sat against good pitchers to pad those numbers.

He tanked it on the field, on ground outs, and in the club house. He became an even bigger distraction than usual. The guy sure can hit, but he gave the Sox no choice. He had to go. He was a great hitter, but a nightmare of a teammate.

Duh. Is there really any debate here? This was all Boras whispering in Manny's ear. I'll be laughing during the offseason when he gets no offers over $17 million to $18 million a year. And teams will be balking at four years as well. Manny is a kid. He does well when he's happy, but he's simply unprofessional and the last year or two of his deal will be filled with the same crap he pulled in Boston. It is really a simple equation with Manny. In the batter's box, he is one of the best right-handed hitters of all time, but the second he leaves the box, he is a liability ... on the base paths, in left field, and especially in the dugout.

I wish this were true because Manny's actions were unethical in the end, but I haven't seen anyone else with this story yet, just a few sites mentioning the Globe article...

I am not complaining about the base running, but he tried to sit out games when he wasn't injured by all accounts. Games he missed could have easily been two wins if he had played with even typical numbers.

Hope the Man-Ram and Boras get what they deserve. Unlikely, it will actually happen with the player's association but enough is enough.

Manny should be fined, his contract voided with the $7 mil owed being refunded to the Sox and suspended for the Season. Would love to see how that affects him and the $100 Mil/4 year contract.

Boras should be fined and banned from baseball.

It's OBVIOUS Manny was sandbagging to get out of his contract.... geez....

Ban him & Boras from Baseball for life.

According to thistlw8, free agency is bad, and Yaz got to sit down and negotiate with Yawkey himself.

I wonder how negotiations between Yawken and Pumpsie Green went?

How about this scenario. Manny takes EL Ay to the post season and on the eve of the WS he claims he can't go out because he has a sore knee. Then Borat calls Torrie and say's " Hey Joe Manny would love for you guys to sign him up fot the next 2 years at $30 million per and if he has contract in his pocket that I think he will go out tonight and win this one for you". If there are Baseball Gods like there are Golf Gods this is what will happen and all of LaLa land can get a taste of how it feels. Just imagine if Brady or Manning had Borat as their agent. AGENTS HAVE RUINED SPORTS

Boras needs to be questioned, for sure. This should not be overlooked.
The bright side is that everyone seemed to fair well in the exchange. Bay is a quality ballplayer, Moss and Hansen get playing time, and Manny may become a Spanish soap opera star.

It is going to be extremely hard to prove anything here but I do hope they find some hard evidence. Manny's behavior is absolutely ridiculous and he obviously doesn't give a rat's behind. Everyone already knows Boras is a scumbag. I would love to see both Manny and Boras get what they have coming to them.

Such bitter Boston folk. Guy carries your team from also rans to world champs. So happy to get rid of the guy, speak of feeble conspiracy plots and take rumor and innuendo as hard facts. At least you dolts can still read Schillings rantings. enjoy!

A very credible scenario, knowing Boras and Manny. However, what action can the league take? This is a weakness in the player/contract/agent system. If a player "goes on strike" (which is what Manny did), he should be fired for insubordination. Instead, he gets rewarded and goes back to work for another team. The Red Sox should be awarded compensatory draft picks and be freed from paying ANY of Manny's salary.

I've been watching the dodgers all week and I can honestly say the only difference I see is the positive environment. As sad as I am to see him gone, I'm happy he got away from us. When are Boston Red Sox fans and media, going to take a step back, look in the mirror and realize how negative they we are? It's pathetic. Nothing is ever good enough for us. Nothing.

It is going to be extremely hard to prove anything here but I do hope they find some hard evidence. Manny's behavior is absolutely ridiculous and he obviously doesn't give a rat's behind. Everyone already knows Boras is a scumbag. I would love to see both Manny and Boras get what they have coming to them.

This is just another example of what has become of pro sports. There is too much money involved. Athletes are cheating, playing half speed, etc just to earn the big bugs. Refeerees are gambling and manipulating games. Commisioners are ignoring the signs of trouble (steroids) because ratings are high. Commisioners may be even manipulating referees to get the finals that will deliver the highest ratings. I can go on and on.

I admire different athletes of what they have done or are doing on the field but as a person most of them are far away from being good role models for our kids.

So I believe nothing will come out of this. Things worst than this happened (McGuire, Bonds, Clemens issues) and not one of them have been fined or banned from the game. Except the Pete Rose case when there was HARD evidence of him gambling on games.

At the point of this phone call to the Red Sox according to Shaughnessy's collusion theory Boras had already gotten exactly what he wanted-- Manny's options dropped in the trade. So why make that phone call, other than to assuage Manny and his regrets? Makes no sense, but it's not in Shaughnessy's intererest to point out that gaping hole in his conspiracy theory.

This episode was all about Manny's oft-childish and erratic behavior. The Red Sox weren't picking up those $20m options regardless, Boras understood this, and Manny tanking it for the rest of the season would only have destroyed his market value. It's that simple. Manny being Manny-- doesn't have to make sense, don't attempt to explain it.

Ive seen a couple posts on Dan Shaugnessy and I have to way in with my two cents...
Is this guy a real sports reporter?

I've watched wayy too many shows with the talking heads claiming that the Red Sox did not get equal value for Manny Ramirez. Sure, Ramirez has blasted 4 bombs (to date) after being traded, but he hit 4 in his what, last 23 games with the Red Sox? And was on an even more sluggish pace before that Manny was not going to produce as a Red Sox player, bottom line. Jason Bay is an instant upgrade from Ramirez for Boston. Bay has some of those "intangibles" that Ramirez doesn't I.E. contributing for a team, not a contract. I was/am a long time Manny fan, we had a hall of fame player here for 8 years and let's not forget what he helped bring us. But the fact of the matter is that Manny has to be happy Manny to produce or even play with the flutter of a heartbeat, and Manny was not that.

Anyone that says it is harder for the Red Sox to make the playoffs should also look at the pre-trade numbers. Sure after the trade Manny has been en fuego, but he wouldnt have done this IN BOSTON. Pre-trade the numbers were close to identical, and PNC isn't quite what one would call a hitters park. The Red Sox are the winners of the trade deadline, for getting rid of a player with questionable team ethic, far too many headaches, and really one who has wanted out of boston for the last 3 years, no matter what he has said. In turn they get Jason Bay, I shouldn't need to say anymore.

So Dan, for all of us, shut up... and cut your hair, you look like Buddy the Elf.

absolutely this was staged by boras and manny. all he wanted was to be a free agent and if he was a good soldier and performed the sox surely would of picked up his option. the only way out was to be as big a pain in the as* as he could so the sox would have no choice but to trade him. he quit on the team and in doing so he dishonored not only the game of baseball but himself. i can not think of a more selfish act by an athlete in all of sports. does his knee seem to be bothering him in la i think not. hes a disgrace to the game and by being a an absolute jerk hes getting what he wants. unbelievable!!

The Sox have always condoned Manny's phantom injuries so why is now different? Francona stood in front of the media and said the team preferred Manny not play in the All Star Game more than once because he was nursing an injury.

The Sox created the monster.

I watched, listened. Sore knee? Clear MRI. Three pitches. Bat on shoulder. Offend the owner. That'll work!

Manny as a Dodger, running to first.

I thought the video was sped up! Who IS his Doctor?

He's selfish, inconsiderate, and when your teammates look at you and say, maaaaaaaaaaaaaaan!

He's no Dennis Rodman, but he's got a SHOW!

Get out of town, ya creep!!

There's no doubt that there was ongoing dialogue between the Sox, Manny and Boras. Reports indicated that the Sox threatened to withhold pay during this fiasco. Manny had the upper hand and was being coached well by Boras. We're now rid of the poison of Manny, Pedro and Nomar and their spoiled brat syndrome.

I doubt there's anything the team or MLB can do about what happened here. The real power is with the fans... how about a class action suit against Manny and Boras on behalf of season ticket holders? They paid for a product that intentionally bailed on his obligation to perform. Any lawyers out there want to take that one?

I haven't heard this mentioned, but does anyone feel that Manny's choice of number in L.A. (99) is a reflection on the price tag of his next contract? Didn't we hear that he wanted a 4 year deal for 100 million? I have never saw a uniform with 3 digits so 100 was not an option. But 99, it seems pretty funny to me.

We didn't need a sportswriter's tip to figure this one out. Anyone who watched Manny take 3 Rivera offerings for called strikes in that disgraceful pinch-hitting episode, who saw him play at half-speed, who watched that clownish exhibition ending with him sitting on the baseball, knew what was going on. Manny hitting lights out in LA and running everything out with no phony complaints about his knee (right or left?) pretty much confirms it. So Manny has peace of mind now? I bet he does. Boras has "peace" too . . . a piece of Manny's next deal. Ditto those comments that Manny just disgraced himself and the game. Selig will investigate and find nothing. Just remember: when an athlete sits down and says its not about the money . . . IT'S ABOUT THE MONEY.

I am a 70 year young Red Sox fan, born in Greenfield, MA, and I'm getting more & more plum disgusted with the progressive & consistent emphasis on the all mighty dollar and less & less on playing the game hard and honest. It is without a doubt that Manny is a great hitter and RBI producer, and in most cases when he wants to ibe, is a bright light in the clubhouse. It is also very true that he is one of the most greedy and seflish players of all time, and his ego stretches across from MA to CA. To me the most sad thing is that a person, Manny, with so many waving & clapping for him in Boston, and all over our country (Red Sox Nation) - I live now in New Mexico, left leaving such a sour taste in many of these same people.

This "dogging" it probably happens alot, But everything gets magnified here in Boston and especialy with Manny. I think we should start timing everyone going down the line. He's gone, and the media can't let go they don't hve their whipping boy here anymore.
And to all the fans saying Manny is a bum or Piece of crap you all are hypocrites.
You know he was always a 12 yr old boy in a man's body . Everyone knew this is how he was,its also the reason he was such a fierce hitter not pressing mentally at the plate. He just did not care. Now if anyone does not think Boras put Sh%& in his head you are crazy. Go tell a 12 yr old something enough times he'll believe it.

I'm sure nothing will come of this, but I am pleased that Selig for once is doing something right. Manny was in breach of his contract, and had the Sox not negotiated a settlement I'm thinking they would have had a case to pursue. Impounded in the value of the $20 mil. X 8 for the Sox was the belief that they would have control of him in years 9 and 10. Both parties lived up to their end of the deal for the first eight years. Manny was refusing to live up to the remainder of the contract. Through his work action, he robbed the Sox of the two option years. For the Sox it would not have been good for the team or the fans to retain him and pursue legal action. It would have been a distraction, and would have scared away future man-child savants who could help the team with their baseball skills. I'm glad MLB is investigating. If others behave as Manny did, what is the value of team options?

Odd, the knees and hammy seem just fine now. Look, he CAN run, astounding.

Appears to be a breach of contract to me!

"Something to this?" OF COURSE.

"Something be done about it?" Of course NOT. (at least nothing major)

Oh, and will the Player Union be doing something about this? NOT...

I hate people who blame the media. Did they tell Manny to fight with team mates? Did they tell Manny to push an old guy down? Did they tell Manny to fake an injury? Did they tell Manny to not run hard to first base?

Do not blame the media for Mannys actions. They just report what they see. You are saying you would rather the Media let him get away with his antics.

Unreal.

How dare Manny only play 19 out of 21 games in the month of July, hit only .310, only drive in 13 runs in 19 games! How dare he only be SECOND on the Red Sox in games played for the season, Second in RBIs (even two weeks after being traded) and tied for the lead in Home Runs!!

You people need to stop drinking the management Kool Aid that the Red Sox and their mouthpieces are selling you, and look at the facts.

Why is MLB investigating Manny and Boros, and not investigating why the Twins kept their best pitcher in the minors to hold him back a year from attaining the service time necessary to get to arbitration and free agency?Could it be because the owners own the Commissioners office too.

"according to Shaughnessy's collusion theory "

That would be "major league baseball's collusion theory", since they are investigating. You were saying?

Jeff Lynch, how can you say agents ruined sports? Look at what Jerry Maguire did for the industry? Oh wait, that was fiction. Ig uess you may be right after all.

A question for everyone...

Which is worse for the integrity of the game...

A player who dogs it, takes himself out of games, intentionally makes outs, all in the name of trying to strong-arm his employer into doing what he and his agent wants...

or,

taking steroids to try to gain a competitive advantage to help your team win and, in turn, make more money for himself and his agent....

???

The Sox should've stopped paying the remainder of his contract. Boy, wouldn't that have gotten Manny motivated!

Another FO shill trying to explain this awful trade to Boston Fans. Another diversion on their part to make themselves look good in this awful situation when they created it.

MLB should be investigating the FO and how they created an orchestrated setup on how to shut this guy down, because they knew they would not pick up his option in 2009. They never communicated with Manny, and they knew he would react as he did. They know his personality better than anyone. Instead of having some sort of communication with him, they chose to ignore him, creating this insecure atmosphere. Instead of showing a little respect to this guy, a guy who produced for them for 7 1/2 years, they chose to simply ignore him. Something happened here. Something really happened here. He hits his 500th home run and everything was fine. Then we hear about Tampa and then the traveling secretary schtick (somehow this seems to be part of the setup here - the corporate shutdown of tickets), the release of medical MRI info to the public, the smear campaign, "veteran" players not being able to play with this guy anymore to create the alibi of why they weren't doing well, the Mariano bat on shoulder controversy, etc., etc., etc., and God knows what else was done to or heard through the grapevine by Manny that we don't know about. Red Sox management should be really ashamed of themselves on how they handled this situation, especially in the middle of a pennant race. The total disregard to the Boston fan is so prevalent here. They don't care about the playoffs, people. Been there, done that. They made a very bad decision, based on emotion instead of common sense, and now they are trying to cover for themselves to save face in front of the public. Two words for this whole mess is lacking: Respect and Communication. They chose not to do either to a player that, despite all his flaws, always came to the plate and gave Boston a lot to feel good about. I welcome the MLB investigation -- let them look into the FO handling of this mess.

I honestly want to see that slimy, filthy bastard and his assenying agent deposed and stripped of having any influence in America's greatest pasttime. Manny and Scott Boras are two parts of a full idiot. Together, they can't make a fully-functioning brain. Anyone who says Manny should've stayed obviously doesn't know the severity of that situation. He was the cancer of the team for obvious reasons. To tell you the truth, I'm so glad they got rid of him and received someone as good as Jason Raymond Bay. Manny was the anti-christ (cheap typewod that he is), whereas Jason Bay is the potential savior and much more humble than AssRam ever was. Whatever he gets as punishment, he deserves. Go Sox and Jason Bay!

Theo pretty much had a gun to his head, given by Bora$ to the LA Ram. This is much bigger than it seems outwardly right now. It's basically extortion and may run afoul of RICO. The Sox were held up, robbed at gunpoint of money, time, and talent. Selig knows this in his heart and is pissed. It's the next thing after Clemens and steroids. It's Mannygate, produced and directed by the Darth Boras. Some heads are gonna roll!

Great comment Nora. I agree 100%. Funny how things with this front office are only kept "in house" when they want them to be...like the "straw poll" of veteran players, or like Theo telling Tim McCarver of all people, that he will try to trade Manny, or the Traveling Secretary thing... The FO is just trying to justify a bad baseball move during a penant race. How arrogant and shortsighted have we become that we rip on a player who brought us two WS titles and 8 yrs of hall of fame production. We hadnt won in 86 yrs...remember?

Players that leave always rip the front office...coincidence?

By the way, what is wrong with Dan Shaughnessy? Give it up! We know you hate Manny and have for years. Also, try not to make stuff up...

Contrary to a previous report by the Boston Globe, according to the Los Angeles Times "the baseball commissioner's office has not launched a formal investigation into the circumstances surrounding the Manny Ramirez trade."
The newspaper adds that MLB "does not plan to take action against any party in the deal." Bud Selig's spokesperson, Pat Courney, said Friday: "There were some follow-up calls. It's closed. It's not ongoing."
Source: Los Angeles Times Aug. 8 - 2:15 pm

He will do whatever he can to smear one of the greatest hitters the red sox have ever had. Leave it alone. Hes gone. Lets appreciate what he has done here and not pout and whine like children over the fact that the FO treated him like crap for 8 yrs...placed him on waivers etc...and made it seem like he forced a trade.

He was one of the best hitters, and most fun to watch players we have ever seen wear the uniform. We won two WS. Appreciate him for what he had done here, not how he left.

I'd like to personally challenge any of the Red Sox that currently have Boras as their agent to pick up the phone and fire him. Right now. I dare you.

What a pathetic JOKE of a paper you run. There is NO SUCH PROBE into this per the MLB Commissioner's office. Get your FREAKING FACTS STRAIGHT.

I really can't see Bud Lite doing much of anything other than make an announcement of an investigation. If anything more comes of this, if Manny or Boras are held responsible in anyway you can bet NASA will be flying me to the moon.

Nora, step away from the kool-aid.

And, surprise surprise, CHB was WRONG.

Ummm! What investigation. They asked a few questions, were satisfied nothing happened and that's that. No wonder Manny thought the Red Sox didn't deserve him. You fans certainly don't. What he did in his 8 years in Boston, his numbers, and the many times he gave us joy and made of laugh speak for themselves. I hope Manny kicks butt in LA. The media is disgusting. More like tabloid crap then professional journalism. I saw Manny play well on the Sunday night against the Yankees. I saw Manny drive in most of the runs against the Angels. And the best you can come up with is he dogged it down to first base? Give me a break! Did anybody have a stop watch on Lowell or Varitek. They looked like they were "running" as slow if not slower than Manny. He's gone now. Give it up!

Seeing Manny run hard on a ground ball is all the proof one needs that he was dogging it in Boston. Scott Boras knew the contract situation when he signed Manny and sent him to his training facility last winter. Manny was his usual self until the All-Star break and then he suddenly developed a sore knee that couldn't be detected by an MRI and which suddenly healed; along with a poisonous attitude.
I blame Boras for the problem. He is the only one who can gain from it.
I don't think they will get a financial windfall however; what team wants a 37 year old old problem child who fakes injuries and has a crooked agent?

NORA, i could not have said it any better...the fools are the ones who fell for the smear job. MANNY, only wanted to know if the option was going to be picked up( this does not excuse pushing the traviling sec,) it would have been easy to tell him no, we're going to let you go after the season ( epstein never wanted him any way ) guys on this team like schill, the captain( ha ha ) , lowel.who it has been reported were the " vets " who could not trust manny. its their team now....but some how this will be manny's fault.......i remember schill, made lots of noise during the season about his extention and maybe playing for the yanks....he got his money......then a hurt arm some how was missed during his physical and he continues to steal money....yet has words to say about manny...( ha ha ) your captain, hard worker/mister family man...( ha ha ) is a fraud! i know this first hand ! ....maybe it comes out when he leaves.....lowel...could not carry manny's jock....oh i forgot, he runs hard after he grounds out to the ss....manny, while not always old school in his out put......is the best clean up hitter in the biggs....don't trust me.....ask ortiz.

NO OFFICIAL PROBE!

MANNY WINS AGAIN!!!!!!

YAAAAY!

Manny has tanked it for the last two years good to have hi9m gone!!!!!!!

Manny is a quitter and there is no place for him in the Hall of Fame. If Pete Rose and Barry Bonds cannot get in,why should the quitter be given the opportunity

I would like to see Boras get caught in a scam that gets him boycotted from doing any further business in MLB. Does anyone think Manny is actually intelligent enough to pull this off on his own? Though I do not know Manny personally, many of his actions (off the field, and some on) during his stay in Boston were not very inteelligent. It is people like Boras that aid in the ruining of baseball. Though agents aren't fully to blame, people like Boras are out to squeeze the life out of the game with no concern for anyone else. Yes, this is a business and many businesses have no morals...However, I did not expect to see baseball be the front runner.

Facts or no facts everyone knows that Boras coached Manny on getting out of his contract. Boras could not wait 2 more years to add (justa portion more) to the millions he has already made off from baseball, MLB needs to ban the greedy bastard from doing and future business in MLB. Players already playing under contracts negotiated by Boras should be forced to hire new agents. Stricter measures need to be imposed by MLB on agents who clearly try to manipulate contracts that have already been signed.

In Kennisaw Mountain Landis-fashion, Selig should ban Boras from baseball in the best interests of the game.

Sorry Red Sox, this is clearly another lame attempt by CEO L.L. to smear a popular player on his way out of town. never mind that 11 out of 12 people in Boston agreed with the move---in a lawyer,'s mind, you have to swing all 12 jurors.
My advice: the Sox should stop doing this every time a star player leaves, because I'm pretty sure that, after Nomar, Pedro, Damon, and Theo (breifly), most people can see through these mysterious "leaked" reports, that come out like clockwork less than 24 hours after anyone more prominent that Julian Tavarez leaves town...

The Boston media is a joke. I want to know why Shaughnessy is the only person with a "source" who has a direct knowledge of the investigation...can you say John Tomase? This is why guys will continue to want to get out of Boston. Cause hacks like Shaughnessy and Tomase will do absolutely ANYTHING to break a so called "big story" even is it's BS or not.

Another FO shill trying to explain this awful trade to Boston Fans. Another diversion on their part to make themselves look good in this awful situation when they created it.

MLB should be investigating the FO and how they created an orchestrated setup on how to shut this guy down, because they knew they would not pick up his option in 2009. They never communicated with Manny, and they knew he would react as he did. They know his personality better than anyone. Instead of having some sort of communication with him, they chose to ignore him, creating this insecure atmosphere. Instead of showing a little respect to this guy, a guy who produced for them for 7 1/2 years, they chose to simply ignore him. Something happened here. Something really happened here. He hits his 500th home run and everything was fine. Then we hear about Tampa and then the traveling secretary schtick (somehow this seems to be part of the setup here - the corporate shutdown of tickets), the release of medical MRI info to the public, the smear campaign, "veteran" players not being able to play with this guy anymore to create the alibi of why they weren't doing well, the Mariano bat on shoulder controversy, etc., etc., etc., and God knows what else was done to or heard through the grapevine by Manny that we don't know about. Red Sox management should be really ashamed of themselves on how they handled this situation, especially in the middle of a pennant race. The total disregard to the Boston fan is so prevalent here. They don't care about the playoffs, people. Been there, done that. They made a very bad decision, based on emotion instead of common sense, and now they are trying to cover for themselves to save face in front of the public. Two words for this whole mess was lacking: Respect and Communication. They chose not to do either to a player that, despite all his flaws, always came to the plate and gave Boston a lot to feel good about. I welcome the MLB investigation -- let them look into the FO handling of this mess.

Wow! Maybe Manny was right, they are trying to make him look like the bad guy. There were many times Manny did not run hard to 1st base when there was this love fest in Boston. You were winning these Championships. I would hear you say "Oh that's just Manny being Manny". Manny believed that management did not want to give him the next 2 years on his contract. So he was wrong to speak about it because it was 20 million but you paid it the last few years. He felt that management did not respect anything that he had done for Boston. He loved the fans and they loved him. How unfortunate that Now he is the bad guy! UNBELIEVABLE! When a player gets to his middle to upper 30s many teams begin to give up on them. They are suppose to get all that they can at that age. Theo stated that the plan was not to keep Manny in 2009! They were looking to get younger. So now Manny is on this incredible hot streak in L.A. and the Red Sox Nation is upset! THERE IS NO CRYING IN BASEBALL! SO STOP THE CRYING! You don't deserve a player like Manny! Here is a guy that has these stats in July .347/.473/.587/1.060 and you say that he dogged it. Wow only in Boston!

Manny wanted out and we all knew that. If I were commissioner, I would look into why a player refused $40 million dollars. Is that in HIS best interests? Let's consider the facts:

1) Manny is 36 years of age.
2) He is not known as a great defensive player.
3) He can still hit, but his bat seemed a little slower this year.

Now, he wants a new $100 Million dollar contract. I seriously doubt he's looking for a 20 year deal. I bet it's more like four years. Therefore, do you honestly think anyone, other than a New York team, is going to give him $25 million to be a DH? The Yanks have too many high priced DHs now!

On the Red Sox side, getting rid of a malcontent shouldn't be looked into at all. If he doesn't want to be on the team, they got rid of him. The options were dropped at HIS request.

All in all, Boras should be investigated for fleecing his client. Any hockey fans remember Alan Eagleson?

Everyone in LA is having fun, huh? Let's see how much fun it is when Boras and LA Ram try to shake down the Dodgers for 4 years at $25MM a pop; all that for a 37 year old man-child. Mark my words; he'll be a Met next year. Minaya will sign anyone with "south of the border" blood.

The two of them have no ethics; it's all about Manny and to hell with the team. Thanks for the memories ManRam; hope the door didn't hit your butt on the way out.

Absolutely. I thought that right from the first sign. Lolling around in left field, Not running down the first base line and not swinging the bat. It was obvious he wanted out and I can't imagine what the atmosphere was like in the clubhouse. Remember Roger Clemens? Whenever a game he was pitching was looking like they weren't going to win, good old Roger would come up lame or have a hang nail or something. He just wanted the wins so he could be in the Hall of Fame. Same stuff, different year.

The commissioner's office investigating is window dressing.
The office will come out with a "finding" that the behavior was not in the best interest of baseball.
The players union will protest.
Any action will be stayed until there is a hearing, that will happen at seasons end.
The news cycle will be over and it will never be resolved.

MLB should really do something about this (but you know nothing will happen). It's just wrong on so many levels. At the very least Manny shoud be suspended and fined and Boras should be fined. I'm a sox fan and Manny wanted out of town, so fine I'm not going to cry over it. But it's about the $$ and he and Boras used Manny being Manny to their advantage. Manny is not stupid and he knows if he was going to get a new 3-4 year deal he had had to get out of Boston before they picked up is '09 and '10 options. I'd love to see MLB make a stand!!

I guess Manny forgot the 11th commandment. Honor thy contract til the end!!!

Even if Boras didn't make a call AFTER the trade, these is still tampering and violation of a valid contract if he made a call BEFORE the trade saying Manny would not be a problem if the Sox dropped the 2 options. If the commissioner doesn't do anything can a private citizen or a fan group mount a suit against Manny and Boras since ultimately the fans pay the bills? I'm sure a Mass Judge would at least require some testimony. Might be fun!!

Oh and for those stat buffs who cite Manny's great July numbers - that even proves the point more, because Manny selectively CHOSE not to produce when he wanted to pressure the Sox to drop the options or trade him. Sitting out the Joba game was huge.

MLB should really do something about this (but you know nothing will happen). It's just wrong on so many levels. At the very least Manny shoud be suspended and fined and Boras should be fined. I'm a sox fan and Manny wanted out of town, so fine I'm not going to cry over it. But it's about the $$ and he and Boras used Manny being Manny to their advantage. Manny is not stupid and he knows if he was going to get a new 3-4 year deal he had had to get out of Boston before they picked up is '09 and '10 options. I'd love to see MLB make a stand!!

My 9-year old step daughter figured that one out!!! Just look at Manny over his last few weeks with the Red Sox, and NOW look at him. That ailing knee seems to be ok. And his speed to 1st base has drastically improved.

Not to mention the statement made by Boras about Manny saying he'd stay if the options were dropped and that he'd behave for the next 2 months only to retract the statement when he realized he just admitted Manny's effort was less than par.

Pretty pathetic behavior for someone receiving a $20 Million paycheck. Have fun in LA!

MLB should really do something about this (but you know nothing will happen). It's just wrong on so many levels. At the very least Manny shoud be suspended and fined and Boras should be fined. I'm a sox fan and Manny wanted out of town, so fine I'm not going to cry over it. But it's about the $$ and he and Boras used Manny being Manny to their advantage. Manny is not stupid and he knows if he was going to get a new 3-4 year deal he had had to get out of Boston before they picked up is '09 and '10 options. I'd love to see MLB make a stand!!

Even if Boras didn't make a call AFTER the trade, these is still tampering and violation of a valid contract if he made a call BEFORE the trade saying Manny would not be a problem if the Sox dropped the 2 options. If the commissioner doesn't do anything can a private citizen or a fan group mount a suit against Manny and Boras since ultimately the fans pay the bills? I'm sure a Mass Judge would at least require some testimony. Might be fun!!

Oh and for those stat buffs who cite Manny's great July numbers - that even proves the point more, because Manny selectively CHOSE not to produce when he wanted to pressure the Sox to drop the options or trade him. Sitting out the Joba game was huge.

Of course he tanked it.if he couldn't figure out how to do it himself,(not the sharpest knife in the drawer) his agent in some way no doubt alerted him to what he could do.never the less, none of it can be proved so just hope that he eventually screws some other suiter down the line & ne blows all his money on a pyramid scheme.

Here you have a guy making 20 million dollars a year, which just blows my mind to begin with, and don't get me wrong he is one of the most amazing hitters that ever played but the game is more than just hitting. When you have someone making that kind of money you expect a little hustle. Manny half-assed it in the field, never ran out groundballs and just plain did not hustle...EVER. Time for him to go.

Boras and Manny deserve each other. Can't wait to find out who is going to screw who in this deal. Tune in for the next exciting chapter in "The Trots" (around the bases and around the league).

all i know is, if i had but only one of his 2 week pay checks...i'd be set for life. and i guarantee that i have worked harder than him my whole life. its pathetic when players think 20$$ million isnt enough.

h3ll you give me a 1/4 of a million dollars and i would do anything. i would even play baseball for $300 a month its a game, and it should stay that way. i get more and more sick of hearing all these "its a business"

I think the sox shouldn't have to pay his salary for the rest of the season. He is a pompous (expletive) and I do hope they investigate his childish behavior. If he wanted to be traded, fine. But, he was being paid to do his best and his bad behavior and bad form should not be commended. He really doesn't deserve to be paid for being an ... I wish the commissioner would crack down on those players that think they are above everyone else. I prefer great players and great performance. Great player and bad performance should be shipped off to the farm team to learn to behave

Dan and the rest of the media in this town vilified Manny for years... they led the charge to run our best player out of town... now that he's gone, the Sox have virtually ZERO personality, leaving these idiot sportswriters with nothing to write about except box scores. Be careful what you wish for Danny... it might come true.

Danny Boy with the Usual White Racist Screed from the Globe staff.

Private (and Public Drunk) Dave Egan and Sinn Fein must be proud.

And I'll bet the Sox going after the White Jason Bay and the White Brian Giles just happened to be coincidences, too.

Theo pretty much had a gun to his head, given by Bora$ to the LA Ram. This is much bigger than it seems outwardly right now. It's basically extortion and may run afoul of RICO. The Sox were held up, robbed at gunpoint of money, time, and talent. Selig knows this in his heart and is pissed. It's the next thing after Clemens and steroids. It's Mannygate, produced and directed by the Darth Boras. Some heads are gonna roll!

How long will it be before "Curt from the Couch" sends in a quote about this situation? I can't wait!

Wow Nora, I was as big a Manny fan as anyone, but you are taking the "Manny apologist" role to a whole new level. I'm going to assume you wrote that as a troll or joke, because I can't imagine anyone typing that up with a straight face...

What a pathetic JOKE of a paper you run. there is NO SUCH PROBE into this per the MLB Commissioner's office. Get your FREAKING FACTS STRAIGHT.

Manny clearly violated his contract by faking injury and not playing his hardest, which is very similar to throwing a game, except Manny did it over a month long period just for himself, his contract, and HIMSELF.

Manny is a great hitter and it will hurt the BoSox, but he was playing at half speed. When I saw him hustle to 1st for the Dodgers, I couldn't believe it was Manny...He is a jerk and will always be one...He can't keep his mouth shut and doesn't really care about anything except himself...Boras is a real cancer for baseball and as we all know free agency STINKS. Bay was a nice pickup and an oustanding citizen, unlike Manny. Good luck L.A....he'll finally wear out his welcome, the first time he doesn't play because of a hang nail....Manny take a lesson from Dustin Pedroia and Pete Rose.

"WHO GIVES A CRAP, IT'S OVER, GET OVER IT, DONE, HE'S GONE."

Sounds like some of the sycophants are getting real uncomfortable, now that we're drilling down to the actual facts of the matter. Yeah, the bandits have left the bank. Guess means it's over with, eh? No sense trying to get that money back now.

As far as the numbers "proving" anything: Numbers can be deceptive, and in this case they certainly are. When you're deliberately taking a key strikeout (vs. Yankees), when you're dogging it in certain situations - when you're doing everything you can to undermine your team EXCEPT ANYTHING THAT DIRECTLY AFFECTS YOUR OWN NUMBERS - something's clearly going on.

There's no doubt there was a deliberate attempt to behave in a manner detrimental to the Red Sox, and the best interests of baseball, here. There are MILLIONS of dollars at stake here, and other men's careers (Moss, for one) have been affected. Races in the AL East, and probably elsewhere, have been impacted.

What happened here is something baseball needs to take seriously, just like gambling, steroids or other forms of game-fixing or collusion. This goes to the integrity of the game, and I am glad MLB has taken an interest.

So no one's going to be listening to the CLOWNS telling us to "get over it".

I really can't see Bud Lite doing much of anything other than make an announcement of an investigation. If anything more comes of this, if Manny or Boras are held responsible in anyway you can bet NASA will be flying me to the moon.

Seeing Manny run hard on a ground ball is all the proof one needs that he was dogging it in Boston. Scott Boras knew the contract situation when he signed Manny and sent him to his training facility last winter. Manny was his usual self until the All-Star break and then he suddenly developed a sore knee that couldn't be detected by an MRI and which suddenly healed; along with a poisonous attitude.
I blame Boras for the problem. He is the only one who can gain from it.
I don't think they will get a financial windfall however; what team wants a 37 year old old problem child who fakes injuries and has a crooked agent?

September 7th, 1:00PM.. Pats kickoff time versus KC at the Razor. This Manny mess is garbage.. Go Pats!!!!!!!!!

NO OFFICIAL PROBE!

MANNY WINS AGAIN!!!!!!

YAAAAY!

Contrary to a previous report by the Boston Globe, according to the Los Angeles Times "the baseball commissioner's office has not launched a formal investigation into the circumstances surrounding the Manny Ramirez trade."
The newspaper adds that MLB "does not plan to take action against any party in the deal." Bud Selig's spokesperson, Pat Courney, said Friday: "There were some follow-up calls. It's closed. It's not ongoing."

Globe needs to work on it's sources (someone other then Red Sox management would be a good start)

Weren't there guys from the Black Sox scandal who were convicted but actually had good numbers for the world series they were found to have thrown? The thing is, you can have great numbers if you have the talent but pick and choose times to not hustle, to sit out feigning an injury, to take a key at-bat off. Also, If the numbers are so good, and they were great, then that makes the knee injury even less believable. The point is, you can have great numbers to make it LOOK like you're trying, but in key moments either not really try (not even swinging the bat in a close game with Rivera on the mound) or pretend that you can't play. Manny had to do well enough to show that his skills were still there, but had to not hustle enough and sit out games with phantom injuries enough so that the Sox would trade him and not take the options. I don't know - it looks like something went down and it was all about money for both Boras and Manny. And if found to be true - which may be difficult - it could be a very serious matter.

Of course that's what happened! It's completely obvious. I can't believe people think otherwise! Do they also think that McGwire "finally found the right combination of stretching and strength training," as one noted columnist said around 2000? Do they think Giambi apologized for, like, not using deodorant? And we went into Iraq after WMD?

WAKE UP!!! Reciting his stats completely misses the point. He was demonstrating that he could turn it on and off at will.

But even that misses the point. He got out of town by insulting (and enraging) the people who paid him and indulged him, and by deserting his team mates in the middle of a pennant race. How can any employer tolerate his insults? How can a team tolerate his betrayal, when they are playing their butts off? If I were commish, he'd sit for at least this year. Face it: He won - unless the commish shows spine.

Manny's stats for July were certainly helped by sitting down for the Important games. Why take the chance on 0-4, when you can sit on your ass and blame your knee. Commend Theo and Larry for shipping his sorry ass to the other side of the country. He'll flourish in L.A. because National League pitching is based on throwing junk . Just wait until he makes Mr. Torre mad. I hope MLB can find a way to suspend him and Booorass.

ABSOLUTELY Manny and Boras should be investigated!! The proof is in the pudding that Manny deliberately played well below his poetential and his shenanigans that he pulled should be accounted for. Good for Selig for investigating. The day after Manny goes to the Dodgers, he starts hitting like the pro the RED SOX hired him to be. Manny, sure doesn't want to talk about it. I'm tired of hearing him say, I've moved on, the Red Sox is my past, yadda, yadda. He knows damn well what he did! The Red Sox took a major hit in the ranks while Manny was sabotaging the games.

His ego is now getting stroked again, and that is what he wanted. Good for Theo for working til the 11th hour to try and unload this awesome player, but nonetheless, egotistical, overpaid, selfish bum. Red Sox nation deserves better. Baseball deserves better. The writing is on the wall Manny, and you put it there. Shame on you!

Now that the commissioner's office has refuted the story, how long will it be before Boston.com posts that on the front page, or at least the front of the sports page? When will we see Shank's retraction or apology?

Instead, we get just another example of lazy reporting from a reporter with an axe to grind. Throw something wild out there, get some publicity, then hope no one notices that you have no supporting evidence.

I've always supported Manny and so have the Red Sox and their fans. But, his play leading up to the trade deadline was not right. Another brick in the wall. Selig is doing the right thing.

Boston may be a town where they "love the dirty water", but we don't need the dirty politics, or the dirty dreadlocks of Manny.

Instead of singing "Sweet Caroline" at Fenway, we're singing "sweet trade deadline! Bye-Bye-Bye! Good bye's never felt so good... SO GOOD! SO GOOD! SO GOOD! I've been inclinced, BYE- BYE-BYE!, to believe they ALWAYS WOULD!!!"

Good bye Manny, your locks, your walks, and your talks...
We witnessed Manny being Manny too Manny times.
From Hero to Zero...

With out heartfelt sigh of relief,
-Boston

Boston may be a town where they "love the dirty water", but we don't need the dirty politics, or the dirty dreadlocks of Manny.

Instead of singing "Sweet Caroline" at Fenway, we're singing "sweet trade deadline! Bye-Bye-Bye! Good bye's never felt so good... SO GOOD! SO GOOD! SO GOOD! I've been inclinced, BYE- BYE-BYE!, to believe they ALWAYS WOULD!!!"

Good bye Manny, your locks, your walks, and your talks...
We witnessed Manny being Manny too Manny times.
From Hero to Zero...

With out heartfelt sigh of relief,
-Boston

Manny & Boras should be fined heavily for fraud and collusion. The trade should stand, but the fines should be severe enough so as to not reward either party (Manny or Boras) over their financial situation had the trade not been made.

Yes it sure should be investigated,look how healthy he is in LA, and Boras should be baned from all sports! Manny sure can run hard now that he is playing for a new contracr!