Manny being Manny....

So the Red Sox are finally tired of Manny Ramirez, or is it vice versa?  Manny Ramirez, whose antics and the Red Sox allowance of said antics coined the phrase "Manny being Manny", recently said he wants out of Boston.  Surprised?  You shouldn't be.  When the Red Sox gave Manny Ramirez a 10 year, $168 million dollar deal they knew whom they were getting.  They knew Manny was a cantankerous little trouble maker.  By allowing Manny Ramirez to dog it on certain days, to act out like a little child, and to blast management on occasion, the Red Sox effectively sold their souls to please a future Hall of Famer.  

Manny being Manny only meant they were making an excuse for Ramirez.  It was okay if he took time off with a mysterious injury.  It is no big deal if he assaults a 62 year-old man, traveling secretary Jack McCormick, for not getting him 20+ tickets to a sold out game only a few hours before the start of the game versus the Astros.  The Red Sox created this monster, fed it, and nurtured it. Now they have to deal with it.

Should the Red Sox really be surprised by the dread-locked monster trying to take a big bite of the team?  They shouldn't be.  Manny is coming to the end of his contract.  There are two option years left for the Red Sox to pick up if they so desire.  Each of these years is for $20 million.  Obviously if the Red Sox pick up next season's option they are crazier than anyone thought.  However, can they afford to let Manny walk?  For a team that is now a perennial World Series contender they can't afford to let him walk away for nothing.    The two first round draft picks they would get if he were to walk via free agency might not be enough in return.  They would need some major league talent in return in order to maintain their World Series hopes.  Now comes the tough part.

How do the Red Sox put together a trade?  This would be one of the most complicated trades ever put together.  First, Manny is a 10 and 5 player which means he has veto power in any trade.  That means he will have to be happy with where he goes.  Second, the Red Sox will need to receive enough back in a trade to make it worth their while and be able to stay in contention.  This means no trading Manny to the Mets for a bunch of B-level prospects.  The most likely scenario is probably going to be Manny staying on the Red Sox and playing out the year and the Sox dealing with the situation at the end of the year.  I wouldn't be surprised if the Red Sox actually re-sign Money Ramirez, I mean Manny.  It might have to do with something in the contract with devil the Red Sox signed where Manny has to be a Red Sox until he is 50, or 100.  

I am just happy that everyone is now seeing Manny for what he is.  He is not a fun-loving character.  Instead, he is a selfish, self-centered, greedy SOB whose act wore thin on me when he was an Indian.  This is the same Manny Ramirez that was put on waivers a couple of years ago and passed through every team in baseball.  Manny is unhappy with a $20 million per year contract he signed.  Awww, poor baby.  I can't see any team, at least a team with a soul, signing Manny who thinks he can get a 4 year deal worth $100 million.  Manny is 36, and turns 37 next May.  He must be on something to think he worth $100 million over 20 years let alone 4!  

Good luck, Manny, not that I mean it but you will need it.  Those shrinks you have to be seeing must be expensive.  Nobody wants a player who shows up pitchers consistently after a home run by watching the ball travel and not moving until it has reached the stands.  Nobody wants a player who has no respect for the game.  Nobody wants  a player who might assault any senior citizens working for the team.  Nobody wants a player who doesn't run to first base if he isn't surely getting a hit.  Nobody really wants Manny Ramirez....except Manny Ramirez.  Here's hoping Manny gets out of baseball after this season and here's hoping the Red Sox bill is collected by the devil.