The Final 9

by Ken Rosenthal

OK, so now Manny Ramirez says that he's willing to waive his no-trade clause to leave the Red Sox.

The plot thickens. Maybe a little. Maybe a lot.
Ramirez would be more attractive in a trade if he did not require a contact extension or the exercising of his two $20 million option years.

In fact, all he might want to waive his no-trade clause is the assurance that his new team would make him a free agent at the end of the season.

If that's the case, his new team would get an extremely motivated player without needing to worry about paying him $20 million per year after this season.

That team also would get two premium draft picks once Ramirez departed as a free agent, helping replenish the talent it lost in the trade.

The Red Sox, given their distaste for Ramirez, might even be willing to pay part of his remaining salary — approximately $7 million — to get the right players in return.

The problem is, Ramirez's reputation is so far gone, all that still might not be enough to get him moved.

The Mets and Phillies have contacted the Red Sox about a possible deal, major-league sources say, but the Mets deny serious interest in Ramirez and the Phillies are even more of a longshot.

The plot thickens. Maybe a little. Maybe a lot.
Ramirez would be more attractive in a trade if he did not require a contact extension or the exercising of his two $20 million option years.

In fact, all he might want to waive his no-trade clause is the assurance that his new team would make him a free agent at the end of the season.

If that's the case, his new team would get an extremely motivated player without needing to worry about paying him $20 million per year after this season.

That team also would get two premium draft picks once Ramirez departed as a free agent, helping replenish the talent it lost in the trade.

The Red Sox, given their distaste for Ramirez, might even be willing to pay part of his remaining salary — approximately $7 million — to get the right players in return.

The problem is, Ramirez's reputation is so far gone, all that still might not be enough to get him moved.

The Mets and Phillies have contacted the Red Sox about a possible deal, major-league sources say, but the Mets deny serious interest in Ramirez and the Phillies are even more of a longshot.

Manny clears way for trade, but to where?....