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?

Page 30

hey, Manny...when you come back as a Yank playing against Boston next year...be sure to bring lots of Sucrets and wet clothes for the sore throat and fever...it's chilly in the Sox dugout! Adios!

k, boston

Manny is a fine hitter and his defense was surprisingly good last season. If they can pick up Guerrro and a starting pitcher with the money they saved, why not?

Steve, Bozeman, Montana

OH GEORGE - TAKE THE BAIT - GOOD RIDDANCE TO MANNY AND HIS HIGH MAINTENANCE PROFILE. THIS WOULD BE A BOON TO THE SOX - SO MUCH MORE FLEXIBILITY - NUMBERS MAY LOOK GREAT - BUT WHERE WERE YOU IN THE CLUTCH, MANNY? HIS EXIT WOULD ALSO MAKE THE MANAGER SEARCH LESS COMPLICATED - NO BABYSITTERS NEED APPLY!

ELLEN, NEW MILFORD

Wouldn't a blockbuster trade have made more sense?

Jack, Lebanon,Maine

Manny is one of the main reasons the sox made it to the playoffs - 300+ hitter - are the sox getting rid of Nomar too - sounds like the Marlins fire sale of 1997

Jim, Swansea, MA

I'm worried about the ramifications of this one. With the Sox alienating Manny they also risk alienating the other Dominican players on the team (especially Pedro), and turning a clubhouse that had for years been seen as unfriendly to foreign-born players back; it had been seen as a great place for the Dominican players especially. Why on earth would Vlad Guerrero -- who by all accounts is even more reluctant to talk to the media -- want to sign here? What makes Sox management think they'll be any more successful dangling their $100 mil now than they were fruitlessly attempting to get Mike Mussina years ago (and throwing an exorbitant salary at Manny as some kind of consolation prize)? I think the move might help the Sox in the next few seasons -- especially if they can parlay their savings into extensions for consummate clutch team players like Varitek and Trot, and maybe pick up a solid #1-3 starter, but they might just wind up with a disgruntled Manny, a poor reputation, and a bunch of extra money to lavish on the future Jose Offermans of the world.

Dave, Cambridge, MA

Brilliant! I think this moves shows that the owners like our team as much as the fans do, and they want to keep the core players here in Boston (Nomar, Pedro, Lowe, Nixon, Varitek, Ortiz). Now the question is, will they still sign all of our guys if they can't unload the loafer and his monster contract?

Mike, Albany

I think it good be a great move if they can sign 2 more pitchers, say Bartolo Colon and Kevin Millwood. This would give you the best rotation in the league and you would still have a little $$ to spend on an extra outfielder. Manny has to realize that he is not on top of the world!!!

Andre , Sturbridge

Could be yet another bonehead move by the sox. With a deal like this, we mine as well get geared up for 85 more years of disappointment.

Rich, Boston

I am still mad they got rid of Hillenbrand for Kim. Also, quite mad they let Grady Little go too. I won't even get started on this issue. In fact I may just become a yankee fan.

Jen, Boston