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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It would appear to me that the Red Sox are trying to increase their coffers with the long- term contract signings of Pedro and Nomar in mind.

paul , Boston

Horrible idea! Manny is a valuable player and should not be waived. So what if his salary is increasingly large, the money is not coming out of your pockets. Baseball tickets are not the only expenses that have been rising in this town. Foolish the ones who have offered to give such a good player up! Stay strong Manny you have many supporters.

Lucrecia, Lynn, MA

IT'S ABOUT TIME!!! He is overpaid, spoiled, lazy and one-dimensional. He epitomizes everything that is wrong about the Dead Sox. Instead of looking for a manager who will "get along with Manny," the Sox should find players who will do what the manager tells them to do. Good Riddance!

Steve, St. Paul, MN

While Manny's stats are OK, he often didn't produce those stats when the Sox really needed them. I think this move is a great 1st shot across the bow to all of baseball that for the really big bucks, you better perform consistently.

Tony, Carlisle

The star power of Manny is obvious. He can have a tremendous impact on any line-up. He can also be quirky and fans can tolerate that from a HITTER. I don't know what the money saved will do for the team but I'll give management credit for having the guts make changes. I don't think I could do it.

Alan, Columbus, OH

i think it's a good move.

Louis, Nashua

Oh my god, surprising but I don't think it's that bad of a decision. This is over 100 Million that is now free to use. He's been the biggest inflated head in the league for a while. Not to mention that we want at least the option to think about going after Pedro and Nomar if we want when they are free agents. Without Manny gone that's almost impossible. Hopefully we use the money to get someone( or someones) who have less of an ego and are close to him in power. Theo- you've done well so far hopefully this works!!!!!

James, Brookline,MA (School in Rochester,NY)

This is a no-win situation for the Red Sox. There is only one team that could sign Manny. Sure the Yankees would be "saddled" with a less-than-focused player, but does anyone really think the Sox pass a Ramirez-led Yanks next year? Does crying "George spent over $200 million in '04," provide any salve if the Sox are sitting at home watching the Yanks (and Manny) play in late Oct? And what if the Yanks don't sign Manny? Even if the Sox try to trade him, no one is going to assume that contract, and Manny's agent, knowing the bind the Sox will be in, will make sure Manny doesn't offer to rework his deal to make a trade more viable. So the Sox most likely will have to include $8-$10 million/year to Manny's new team, erasing a huge chunk of the funds supposedly being freed to sign other players. Finally, if no one assumes his contract or is willing to trade for him, how unfocused is Manny going to be in Boston next year knowing the team doesn't really want him there? It seems only Yankee haters and overly-optimistic Sox fans think this is a good idea.

JP, Norwalk

Careful what you whish for! I agree Manny is a douche bag but if he goes to the Yanks, with that short right field porch? He'll hit 50 homers and drive in 150 runs and the Sox will watch them bums add another banner.

brian, marblehead

Great move. Not worth that money. unfortunately, the yankees won't touch him and we'll be out of the pitcher's stampede. They need what we need: PITCHERS. World Series=pitching.

Henry, gloucester