Exploring Manny's Possible Suitors
It goes without saying that not all 30 teams are able to go out and acquire a player along the lines of a Manny Ramirez, but it's expected that less than a handful will seriously pursue the Sox' left fielder up to tomorrow's trade deadline. With several noteworthy players already on the move (Teixeira, Kotchman, Nady, Marte, Durham, Wolf, etc.), let's take a look at Manny's possible landing spots and discuss how likely it is that he ends up at each destination.
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Dodgers seem to be the most likely trade partner for the Sox (they're at least the most highly publicized up to this point) as they need to make up for the lack of production from Andruw Jones and still think they're able to compete as they entered last night's action just 1 game behind the D'Backs in the NL West. (Plus, they might be looking to shake things up a bit in response to Arizona's recent acquisition of former Nationals closer Jon Rauch.) Reports have the Sox eying both Matt Kemp and Andre Ethier, either of whom they'd be more than happy to take in return for Manny. It's unknown how willing the Dodgers are to part with their two most prized OFers (it's safe to say they're not exactly anxious to include them in any deals), but if the Sox are lucky enough to talk GM Ned Coletti into making a Manny-for-Kemp or Ethier swap, the Sox would have to eat part of the money still owed to Manny. Given Manny's recent discouraging comments regarding his status in Boston and the front office, the Sox would be lucky to get a proven Major League commodity along the lines of a Matt Kemp or Andre Eithier. All that said, it'd be hard to see the Dodgers giving up either of their 2 potential All Star outfelders - who, by the way, are just 23 (Kemp) and 26 (Ethier) years old - for an unhappy 36-year old masher who's looking to sign his last contract next season.
New York Mets
There have been conflicting reports denying and affirming the Mets' interest in Manny, but if the past is any indicator, it's likely that Omar Minaya will be heavily involved in the Manny discussions leading up to the deadline. Rumors have the Sox demanding no less than outfield phenom Fernando Martinez, but given the fact that the Mets gave up so much to get Santana, it's unlikely that they'll want to deal their top remaining prospect, even if it means they'd get back one of the best right-handed hitters of this or any other generation. The Mets love going after current and former Red Sox players (Pedro, Trot, Mientkiewicz, Bradford, Mota, Daubach, Offerman, Mo...) more than most and they have a huge need for a left fielder with Moises Alou on the shelf; however, Minaya and Manuel know there's no guarantee that Manny will be any happier playing for one of his hometown teams, so there's little chance that a deal gets done here.
Philadelphia Phillies
The majority of the chatter in regards to a Red Sox-Phillies deal has the Sox sending Manny to Philly in a 1-for-1 swap for slugger Pat Burrell. Burrell's 6-year, $50 million contract ends after this season, so the Sox don't stand to enjoy any long-term gains if they make this trade (aside from the compensation pick they'd get if they let Burrell walk). On the Phillies' end, Burrell's arguably outperformed Manny this year (.280 BA, .402 OBP, .586 SLG, 26 HR, 61 RBI, 56 R), so they seem to have little incentive to swap players unless the Sox agree to pay most if not all of Manny's and Burrell's remaining salaries, or the Phillies get more compensation picks by letting Manny walk than they would by keeping Burrell until the end of the year and letting him sign elsewhere (Manny's a Type A free agent, meaning the team he leaves will get 2 extra picks, but I'm not sure about Burrell). That's not likely to happen.
Florida Marlins
The biggest long shot of the bunch, the Marlins certainly have the prospects to facilitate a deal and they have a great rapport with the Sox in terms of past deals. They're currently 2 games back of the Mets for first in the NL East and could desperately use a veteran hitter with Manny's playoff experience. An outfield of Manny, Jeremy Hermida and Josh Willingham would be quite formidable (and once you factor in Hanley Ramirez, Mike Jacobs, Dan Uggla and the resurgent Jorge Cantu, you'd be looking at a lineup with some scary power). That being said, the Marlins are rarely buyers at the deadline (mainly because they're rarely in the thick of the pennant race) and currently sport baseball's lowest team salary ($22 million); unless the Sox are willing to pay most of Manny's salary and take back about sixty to seventy-five cents on the dollar, Manny won't be playing in Florida.
Sorry Manny haters, it looks like Manny's staying put.
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Dodgers seem to be the most likely trade partner for the Sox (they're at least the most highly publicized up to this point) as they need to make up for the lack of production from Andruw Jones and still think they're able to compete as they entered last night's action just 1 game behind the D'Backs in the NL West. (Plus, they might be looking to shake things up a bit in response to Arizona's recent acquisition of former Nationals closer Jon Rauch.) Reports have the Sox eying both Matt Kemp and Andre Ethier, either of whom they'd be more than happy to take in return for Manny. It's unknown how willing the Dodgers are to part with their two most prized OFers (it's safe to say they're not exactly anxious to include them in any deals), but if the Sox are lucky enough to talk GM Ned Coletti into making a Manny-for-Kemp or Ethier swap, the Sox would have to eat part of the money still owed to Manny. Given Manny's recent discouraging comments regarding his status in Boston and the front office, the Sox would be lucky to get a proven Major League commodity along the lines of a Matt Kemp or Andre Eithier. All that said, it'd be hard to see the Dodgers giving up either of their 2 potential All Star outfelders - who, by the way, are just 23 (Kemp) and 26 (Ethier) years old - for an unhappy 36-year old masher who's looking to sign his last contract next season.
New York Mets
There have been conflicting reports denying and affirming the Mets' interest in Manny, but if the past is any indicator, it's likely that Omar Minaya will be heavily involved in the Manny discussions leading up to the deadline. Rumors have the Sox demanding no less than outfield phenom Fernando Martinez, but given the fact that the Mets gave up so much to get Santana, it's unlikely that they'll want to deal their top remaining prospect, even if it means they'd get back one of the best right-handed hitters of this or any other generation. The Mets love going after current and former Red Sox players (Pedro, Trot, Mientkiewicz, Bradford, Mota, Daubach, Offerman, Mo...) more than most and they have a huge need for a left fielder with Moises Alou on the shelf; however, Minaya and Manuel know there's no guarantee that Manny will be any happier playing for one of his hometown teams, so there's little chance that a deal gets done here.
Philadelphia Phillies
The majority of the chatter in regards to a Red Sox-Phillies deal has the Sox sending Manny to Philly in a 1-for-1 swap for slugger Pat Burrell. Burrell's 6-year, $50 million contract ends after this season, so the Sox don't stand to enjoy any long-term gains if they make this trade (aside from the compensation pick they'd get if they let Burrell walk). On the Phillies' end, Burrell's arguably outperformed Manny this year (.280 BA, .402 OBP, .586 SLG, 26 HR, 61 RBI, 56 R), so they seem to have little incentive to swap players unless the Sox agree to pay most if not all of Manny's and Burrell's remaining salaries, or the Phillies get more compensation picks by letting Manny walk than they would by keeping Burrell until the end of the year and letting him sign elsewhere (Manny's a Type A free agent, meaning the team he leaves will get 2 extra picks, but I'm not sure about Burrell). That's not likely to happen.
Florida Marlins
The biggest long shot of the bunch, the Marlins certainly have the prospects to facilitate a deal and they have a great rapport with the Sox in terms of past deals. They're currently 2 games back of the Mets for first in the NL East and could desperately use a veteran hitter with Manny's playoff experience. An outfield of Manny, Jeremy Hermida and Josh Willingham would be quite formidable (and once you factor in Hanley Ramirez, Mike Jacobs, Dan Uggla and the resurgent Jorge Cantu, you'd be looking at a lineup with some scary power). That being said, the Marlins are rarely buyers at the deadline (mainly because they're rarely in the thick of the pennant race) and currently sport baseball's lowest team salary ($22 million); unless the Sox are willing to pay most of Manny's salary and take back about sixty to seventy-five cents on the dollar, Manny won't be playing in Florida.
Sorry Manny haters, it looks like Manny's staying put.
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