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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This move only works if they spend the money on acquiring a replacement (Guerrero) and more pitching. Otherwise, it's robbery to raise ticket prices (again) and dump payroll.

James, Dorchester, MA

Manny is a great hitter, but for $20 million/year, the Sox can do better. I think it's a smart move.

Jason, Belmont, MA

I'll play left field for 20 bucks and do a better job - get rid of him - and hold the door open for any one else that thinks they are too good for the game

zwol, Leland,NC

If a team claims him or if the Red sox can trade him it is a great move to free up some needed cash to acquire premium free agents. If they can't accomplish neither of the above, next year could be a disaster with him in the clubhouse. I admit is a very tenuous gamble but one worth the risk espcially since their tip players will be free agents at the end of next year. We certainly don't want another Fred Lynn Carlton Fisk fiasco.

michael, bamberg, Germany

could the sox looking to make a move to get delgado, thus by placing manny on waivers clearing up space for him.

david, daytona beach

I think it is great. If he is claimed they won't have to find a coach that knows how to pamper him.. Its really too bad that he is that eccentric.

Greg, Berwick

Manny is LAZY. He has tremendous natural ability but he is lazy. Let him go. Sign a solid starter and sure up deals with those players who are pending free agents. Will the Sox ever give us a break? Let us try and enjoy the Pats and forget about baseball for a while.

jay

Great idea! He's way overpaid, and he's a big baby on top of it all. Let NY have him!

B McDermott, Tewksbury

The Sox are hoping to get lucky here. Hopefully someone will bite and pick up the contract. The freed up money will be used to sign Colon or Millwood, then they will look to trade Nixon for a closer and attempt to sign Vlad Guerrero to play right field. A very bold series of moves, but it is unlikely that anyone will bit on Manny (and it WON'T be the Yankees if anyone does).

Jim, Somerville

The normal Boston baseball fan doesn't realize the problem that Manny's contract does to the team. Boston has overpaid Manny by nearly 10 million dollars over market value. He may be one of the best hitters in the league but his production (especially this year) was not nearly worth 20 million. It is reasonable to assume that with that same 20 million, the team could have brought in players that could put up similar numbers, as well as helping other areas of the team. At the end of 2004, several contracts expire. Pedro, Nomar, Lowe, Teck, and Nixon to name a few. This 20 million dollar monkey on their backs prevents when from resigning some, if not all of these players. If I was the GM, I would try to get rid of Manny in any way possible to free up that cash, and resign the core of the team, while adding talent.

Jay, Newton