Manny's Contract

[ellsburyman46]

FORT MYERS, FLA. -- This time, Manny Ramirez showed up to Spring Training on time and with a big smile on his face. This time, he even kicked the year off by speaking to the media, holding court in an entertaining five-minute session in which the left fielder reiterated his desire to spend the rest of his career with the Boston Red Sox.
The Sox hold $20 million options on Ramirez for both the 2009 and 2010 seasons, meaning there's at least a chance this will be his last year playing in front of the Fenway faithful.

"You know, I want to finish my career here, but that's up to them," Ramirez said. "If that doesn't happen, hey, I'll go play somewhere else. I know I can still play. What else can I say? It's up to them. I'm not the one who writes the checks."

(more news on this athttp://boston.redsox.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080221&content_id=2382556&vkey=s pt2008news&fext=.jsp&c_id=bos)


I am unbeliavbly happy about this

[Imgran]

3/45 and find out if he's willing to take a pay cut to stay longer and guarantee the options.

[efin98]

3/45 and find out if he's willing to take a pay cut to stay longer and guarantee the options.

As much as I respect you I have to disagree. He is earning less than market value now so getting a raise would be well within reason for him considering how much he contributes to the team...no home town discount, just get the contract done no matter the cost.

[FlashGordon]

As much as I respect you I have to disagree. He is earning less than market value now so getting a raise would be well within reason for him considering how much he contributes to the team...no home town discount, just get the contract done no matter the cost.

I think we're all thinking that last year was just an off year and he'll be his old power-hitting self again this year. But what if he isn't?

[efin98]

I think we're all thinking that last year was just an off year and he'll be his old power-hitting self again this year. But what if he isn't?

He was injured and worn down, that can account for his drops in production. If he can't get out of his downward slide they will likely exercise his option year(s) and drive up his price for his next team...The thought that his days in Boston are numbered has to come across the minds of people considering he signed with the biggest pain in the butt to Boston as his new agent.

[JerseySoxFan19]

if manny has a decent season i think he'll be back for at least 1 more year.

[Imgran]

He was injured and worn down, that can account for his drops in production. If he can't get out of his downward slide they will likely exercise his option year(s) and drive up his price for his next team...The thought that his days in Boston are numbered has to come across the minds of people considering he signed with the biggest pain in the butt to Boston as his new agent.

As long as he remains a reasonably productive hitter for 2 more years I'm good with the options because 2 years puts us in a range where any one of Lars Anderson, Aaron Bates or John Still could come up and be the dynamic power-hitting first baseman Boston's missed since the departure of Mo Vaughn.

I would try to deal with the Mariners for Wladimir Balentien though. Think Wily Mo, except with options and the ability to give him time to develop in the minors. Oh, and Baltntien can steal bases. Looking around the league I'd say Wladdy is probably the best bet out there as a minor league Manny heir. Before the Bedard deal went down and Schill got hurt I was all for dealing Lester to the M's for Clement and Balentien. Now there's a good reason why that won't work of course.

[Evangelion]

He was injured and worn down, that can account for his drops in production. If he can't get out of his downward slide they will likely exercise his option year(s) and drive up his price for his next team...The thought that his days in Boston are numbered has to come across the minds of people considering he signed with the biggest pain in the butt to Boston as his new agent.

Boston management and Boras have got along quite well in recent years. Boras is not to well liked by many, but he's on a even ground with the Red Sox at the moment. Still, Boras will start his campaigning for Ramirez, like he does with all his clients. I swear, does he believe even one percent of what's coming out of his mouth when he's campaigning a character.

I'm trailing off, but the point would be that Boras and Boston have got along well. People could point to Damon situation, but that worked out for us and Damon wanted more money. Not much we could do about that, regardless who he had for an agent.

[ellsburyman46]

Manny will be manny no matter what. That means 30+ HR and 100+ RBI and too many errors then he should have. He is half of the red sox immage do the deal no matter what !!!!!!

[ellsburyman46]

As long as he remains a reasonably productive hitter for 2 more years I'm good with the options because 2 years puts us in a range where any one of Lars Anderson, Aaron Bates or John Still could come up and be the dynamic power-hitting first baseman Boston's missed since the departure of Mo Vaughn.

I would try to deal with the Mariners for Wladimir Balentien though. Think Wily Mo, except with options and the ability to give him time to develop in the minors. Oh, and Baltntien can steal bases. Looking around the league I'd say Wladdy is probably the best bet out there as a minor league Manny heir. Before the Bedard deal went down and Schill got hurt I was all for dealing Lester to the M's for Clement and Balentien. Now there's a good reason why that won't work of course.

You are forgetting about moss dude !!!!

[Imgran]

Moss not = Manny. I seriously doubt Moss finishes the year in the Red Sox org. He's at a perfect age to be trade deadline bait for someone who needs a corner outfielder. And if we keep him he's probably the bench OF anyway rather than a starter.

[efin98]

Boston management and Boras have got along quite well in recent years. Boras is not to well liked by many, but he's on a even ground with the Red Sox at the moment. Still, Boras will start his campaigning for Ramirez, like he does with all his clients. I swear, does he believe even one percent of what's coming out of his mouth when he's campaigning a character.

I'm trailing off, but the point would be that Boras and Boston have got along well. People could point to Damon situation, but that worked out for us and Damon wanted more money. Not much we could do about that, regardless who he had for an agent.

It's not just Damon, it was Dice K and Tek as well that he drove hard bargains on. Manny got A-Rod caliber money back in 2000 to come to Boston, he will probably try to do the same for Manny this time and if that happens I doubt the team will want to do it.

[FlashGordon]

Manny will be manny no matter what. That means 30+ HR and 100+ RBI and too many errors then he should have. He is half of the red sox immage do the deal no matter what !!!!!!

Given his year last year, this is an empty statement. I hesitate to use the "S" word, but there are a host of reasons why his production might have been off. I would say Papi had more injury issues than he did, but he still outshone him by a mile. Until I see more consistency from him, I'm thinking his countdown clock to retirement is ticking. I will say one thing in his favor, though; I like the attitude he's showing out of the gate this spring. If there is anything to be salvaged there, he's at least showing the desire to salvage it. This is very different from the Manny who has often shrugged and muttered about retirement when his work ethic has been questioned.

[KCGHOST]

The BoSox have Manny under contract this year (his age 36 season) and have options for his age 37 and 38 years. These option years are for real money. Why in the world would you offer him an extension? Manny will draw something like $60M for those seasons if the options are exercised.

The BoSox have paid Manny a king's ransom over the last seven years. Just because Manny has delivered doesn't mean you owe him anything. Nor do you need to make a decision right now.

[JerseySoxFan19]

speaking hipotheticly if manny leaves after this season who do you think we'd get as a replacement. i think these guys would fit in boston:
josh hamilton
adam dunn
carlos lee
(these are just suggestions no need to call me an idiot)