News Flash: The Red Sox and Manny Ramirez issue a “joint��? statement announcing Ramirez has the team’s permission to report to spring training March 1st. The statement says Ramirez "is in Florida completing an extensive training regimen and is prepared to have an exceptional season."
Teddy’s Take: A “joint��? statement is an appropriate way to term it, because you have to be high to believe the Red Sox in any way condoned or are pleased by this development. I'd kill to find out exactly what the "extensive training regimen" consists of.
As I stated the other day, Boston’s Boys of Summer could be in some real trouble here. They have left themselves vulnerable to an incredibly talented, yet even more immature athlete. At this point, there’s little they can do but try to kiss Manny’s ample behind and hope he shows up ready to play when this little ploy, whatever it’s all about, is behind him. If not, the 2006 season will be submarined before it even begins.
Look, there’s no way you’re ever going to get equal value for a player of Manny’s caliber, not with that contract and the immaturity issues. That’s why the Sox should have just unloaded him during the off-season, taken the best deal possible, and tried to use the money saved to upgrade elsewhere.
Do I think the Sox are better off with Manny here? Hell yeah! He’s a one of a kind hitter, and you can’t replace a $20-million a year player with two $9-$10 million a year players as has been suggested. $9-$10 mill a year gets you Matt Clement and Edgar Renteria. But are the Red Sox better off with some replacement parts and future prospects than an unhappy camper who can disrupt a promising season? No doubt! Too bad they blew the opportunity to do something before things got to this point. Now they’re just like the hapless hurlers trying to get Manny out when he’s swinging the bat well……at his mercy!
That’s my take……what’s yours?
Comments (4)
Here are some better examples than Edgar Rent a Wreck and Mattt Clement.
Lance Berkman: 10.5
Carlos Beltran: 11.5
Vladimir Guerrero: 12 mill
Jermaine Dye: 4 mill
Adam Dunn: 4.6
Tori Hunter: 8 mil
Carlos Delgado: 4 mill
Paul Konerko: 11 mill
Derele Lee: 8 mill
Miguel Tejada 11 mill
Although not an exhaustive list, this is just an example of the average price of talent in MLB. Although none of those players can compare to Manny's #'s one on one, a combination of two players listed would cost the same yet fill 2 roster spots. If Manny were a team player, I wouldn't do it either. But he doesn't want to be here. I'm sure the Sox will come up with some kind of resolution with the resources available. Unfortunately, Manny will force their hand and probably get less than they could have if he just kept his mouth shut.
Posted by T2 | February 22, 2006 9:34 AM
Posted on February 22, 2006 09:34
Seems like they're between a rock and a hard place with this one. "one of a kind hitter" but "unhappy camper who can disrupt a promising season". Damon was able to pick up on this and slither through that very slim rock and hard place and end up in the promised land. The evil empire wouldn't even take that scrap. The important thing here is that the Sox will go absolutely nowhere without him and needs to dump him now to think about the future. Have fun with this one boys. See you in 85 years.
Posted by yanksrback | February 22, 2006 4:21 PM
Posted on February 22, 2006 16:21
Typical Yankee fan, doesn't even know how to use a calculator, It was 86 years, MORON.
Yanks-R-Back of the pack, Jack!
Posted by T2 | February 23, 2006 3:01 PM
Posted on February 23, 2006 15:01
Typical Red Sox idiot like the rest of the team. You won it two years ago. Start counting last year you dope. That's 1 + 85 more = 86. How much of an MORON do you feel like now? How do these people get on your blog?
Mr. Panos, please exclude the real dopes from making you sox fans look even more idiotic. I would never have posted that reply just to protect your fans.
Posted by yanksrback | February 23, 2006 7:59 PM
Posted on February 23, 2006 19:59