What do you think of the decision to put Manny Ramirez on irrevocable waivers? Will another team -- (gulp) Yankees -- take on the $104 million remaining on his eight-year, $160 million contract? If no team claims Ramirez, will the All-Star slugger get traded?

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1. Manny is one of the best hitters in baseball. If he is claimed by an AL team, he will come back to haunt the Red Sox, make no question about it. 2. Coupled with his bloated salary, his lack of hustle, and his unhappiness with being in Boston, this is still a good move. If he is claimed we free up payroll, and make room for better pitching and more role player types (both essential ingredients in making it to the playoffs and winning). If we learned anything form the Marlins this year, it is that superstar laden teams can be beaten by hustling, speedy, defensive-minded teams with good pitching. If no one claims him, we can still trade him. If there are no takers at that point, perhaps this will motivate Manny to be a better player and teammate.

Jeff , Allston

Sox have a great clubhouse Manny doesn't fit in. $20 million can go a long way toward signing Lowe and company for the future. I'd like to see him in a Sox uniform in 2004.

Rick , Atlanta

This sends a clear message to the folks who brought you the now infamous game 3 of the ALCS. Too bad the Sox paid so much for Manny because nobody is going to take him for that price. The Sox will have to eat a large portion of his contract, especially after the Marlins proved that a lot can be accomplished with lower paid players and better game strategies. The ghost of Duquette lives on!!

Matt, Brookline

I think it's a great move. Manny proved that all he thinks about is Manny. That crap with being sick and then not able to play against the Yankees? Come on, for that money he should play no matter what. (It took a stretcher to take Johnny Damon out of the game!) I think the Sox are on the right track. We NEED players who want to be part of a team, like Nomar, Nixon, Veritek, Millar, Ortiz, Walker, Wakefield...

Patrick, Waltham

When the Yankees claim, the Sox better take the money and go sign Vlad Guerrero. If they just sit on the money saved then it is a stupid move.

Smash, Worc

Bye bye, space shot. This nation doesn't need his prima-donna spoiled attitude. I applaud the Red Sox for adopting a Patriots-like take no *#!* attitude.

Steve C., Plymouth, MA

I have no problem at all with the Sox placing Manny on waivers. Manny is one of the best players in the league. However, he is not a complete player. His hitting prowess alone does not qualify him for such a large contract. He never tries to run out a ball hit in the infield. Very rarely does he go full-tilt for a ball in the outfield. In the event that he is picked up off of waivers, then the Sox should direct their attention to Vladimir Guerrero and/or Bartolo Colon to fill the void. I hope Steinbrenner does go after him. That way, there is no way the Yankees will be able to bolster their pitching staff. My guess is that no one will go after him because of his huge contract and his incessant lack of hustle and his less than stellar record as a team player. Mark from Wilmington

Mark, Wilmington

Should have waived 5 inning pedro first. but this is a start.

john, hopkinton

I think it is great. 20m can buy ALOT. I'd say do the same with Pedro and try to get a trade for Nomar. The money those 3 guys make can buy a lot. A-rod anyone???

Peter, Weymouth

his contract is an albatross...there is no way a team will take it unless the red sox pay at least a full year of it which would be around 20 million...hes a great hitter and that can't be argued but thats ALL. i'd rather have a bunch of walkers and millars roaming fenway than a guy who patrols left field day-dreaming of playing in yankee stadium when hes in his late thirtys. hes a 20 million dollar a year DH with no speed and a bad attitude. I was never happy with the signing in the first place and we only did it when we lost out on Mussina. How can we afford Tek, Martinez, Nomar (my favorite current red sox player but not worth Jeter type money), Lowe and Nixon? We can't and we need a team not 3 guys and a bunch of Lou Merlonis. Best case scenario is we end up with three of those guys max (with Nomar going west coast and Martinez going to the Yankees - the table has been set for this to happen and I think everyone is in denial about it). Manny stays in left playing average defense, Damon plays center still having a "high-school" caliber arm, and Nixon continues to impress and bloom into one of the best right fielders in the major leagues. They need to go after quality aces this winter to help with the Pedro situation...if they can dump Manny somehow they should do it and use the money for millwood AND colon. give those guys 30-36 million each for three years and go after that title with a rotation of Pedro, Colon, Lowe, Millwood, Wakefield. You take Manny out of the offense and they are still very dangerous and now have the best rotation in the majors to boot. Throw in a Luis Castillo to manufacture runs for an edge in close ballgames and hope williamson holds up...float this trade to theo if u see him: Manny plus 20 million for Joe Torre and we pay off the rest of what the Yanks owe him. Steinbrenner can be top dog again and improve his offense while the red sox get the best manager of the past 25 years plus money to sign pitchers...

ed , easthampton