MLB.com
Manny Ramirez is going to the Dodgers.
The Red Sox, Dodgers and Pirates have agreed to a deal, according to sources, in which Ramirez will go to Los Angeles, outfielder Jason Bay will go from Pittsburgh to Boston and the Pirates will receive pitchers Brandon Moss and Craig Hansen from the Red Sox and third baseman Andy LaRoche and outfielder Bryan Morris from the Dodgers.
The Pirates have called a 5:30 p.m. ET press conference.
Ramirez traded to Dodgers in three-way deal....
By Marty Noble / MLB.com
NEW YORK -- The latest "Manny being Manny" episodes in Boston hardly increase the likelihood that the Mets' semi-vacant corner-outfield situation will be solved by a deal importing Manny Ramirez. Even if the Mets were armed with sufficient young talent to satisfy the Red Sox and acquire Ramirez -- even if they wanted to add to their payroll -- Ramirez's behavior might turn the Mets away.
"His bat would be a great addition," one Mets player said on Sunday. "He could help us win. And most of the time, If you're winning, nothing else really matters. But we've got something good going now. I'm not saying he'd screw it up, but you can't tell what he's going to do. ... He's not helping Boston right now."
Whether the Mets believe in such a better-safe-than-sorry manner remains an unknown. But the Mets appear to have neither the chips not the inclination to deal for Ramirez or any other high-profile corner outfielder.
"If there was a perfect fit out there, a guy who could help us now and next year who we didn't have to overpay for, we'd be pursuing it," one member of the Mets' hierarchy said over the weekend. "But there aren't any perfect fits, or even good fits."
Mets an unlikely destination for Manny....
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?....
Sporting News staff reports
Boston Red Sox outfielder Manny Ramirez shoved team traveling secretary Jack McCormick to the ground Saturday in an argument over tickets, the Providence Journal reports.
Ramirez had asked McCormick for 16 tickets for Saturday night's Red Sox-Astros game, which is a high number for a day-of-game request, the Journal reports. When McCormick told Ramirez he might not be able to fulfill the request, Ramirez shouted, "Just do your job!"
An argument followed, and Ramirez pushed McCormick to the ground. Later the two met behind closed doors and Ramirez apologized. McCormick accepted the apology. Manager Terry Francona said Sunday, "Sometimes things happen, and when they do, we choose to handle them internally. I'm satisfied with how we handled this." No disciplinary action is planned.
Manny Ramirez shoves traveling secretary....
