Manny Trade to Marlins Still Not Final - SawxBlog Thoughts

We may never see the infamous jazz hands in a Red Sox uniform again. (SawxBlog Illustration)

EDIT 4:45pm: For those of you who can't get through Boston.com (shame on them for not having capable servers) their parent company the NYT has the story so far. http://bats.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/07/31/ramirez-traded-to-the-dodgers/index.html?ref=sports (Thanks Jeannine)

EDIT 4:31pm: MANNY TRADED TO DODGERS. Who did the Sox get...why does Boston.com blow.....service unavailable.......imagine if we got Nomar....Jason Bay still in mix......head.......spinning........too..........fast......

EDIT 3:55pm: They should just call the trade deadline the "dead trade day". Good news is according to the Yankee fan comments here we're better off with Manny...crap.

EDIT 1:45pm: OK, Jon Heyman is now reporting that Manny's approved a trade if the clauses are waved. This is absolutely killing me, most intense trade deadline in recent memory. (Thanks Josh)

EDIT 12:53pm: Apparently the deal is "near dead" according to Peter Gammons. Sigh, I should have known better, it's like Groundhogs Day every year with Manny and the trade deadline. (Thanks to TimmyGunz for sending my way)

EDIT 12:45pm: Read what Schilling said today for even more affirmation that this mess Manny created is about Money, and the clubhouse isn't too down with him.

OK, so the Manny trade to the Marlins isn't officially finalized yet however I've become acutely aware of a few things. If this trade does go down, it's a big deal. I personally know it's a big deal because last night I received numerous texts from friends and this morning I have been asked on IM and other places by at least a dozen different about Manny and the trade. Basically the buzz is deafening here in Boston and I feel this time, more then any other, the deal has to go through.

Every hour that goes by I become more and more hesitant and I wonder if it's actually going to happen. For the sake of this post lets assume it happens, and I'll try to break things down in a few points, no matter how scatterbrained they seem (and feel).

1. I've had a few Yankee fans comment last night (and contact me today) letting me know this is a great day for them if Manny's gone and it's hard to deny them that. Manny has been a Yankee killer over the years and that was one of many reasons as to why Sox fans stuck with him. But Manny has handcuffed the front office and management into doing this because of point number 2....
2. Manny has dogged it on numerous plays over the last few days (seriously, 5.7 seconds to get down the line to first base?!?) despite some good hitting. It's almost like he's trying only when he wants to which is 100% unacceptable. I now completely think his "knee injury" was bullshit and it really makes you think about those three strait strikes he took against Mariano back in Yankee Stadium. He's done it in the past, and he most certainly is doing it now, putting himself in front of the team and.....
3. He's forcing the hand of the Red Sox in any possible way he can. The entire 2008 campaign has been a carefully sculpted plan of attack for Manny. He started off at the API institute before spring training heading into what was essentially a contract year. He hired Scott Boras as his agent (that should have raised all the eyebrows needed there). He mysteriously all of a sudden started talking to the media and saying things like "I want my number retired with the Sox". He decided to get into physical altercations with both Youk and a traveling secretary. Then lastly as the pennant race heated up and the trade deadline loomed he does everything he can to bash both ownership and the Red Sox organization. I'm sorry, but this all was very calculated on his part to force a trade. Whats ownership to do......
4. Ownership inherited his contract and from the beginning of John Henry's extremely successful ownership of the Red Sox Manny has asked to be traded every season without fail. The difference between the beginning of the requests and now is that it's at the end of the contract and much easier without having to eat a ton of money. Manny's basically laid it out that he wouldn't play hard if they give him the option year so what are they to do?
5. Trade him if it makes the Sox better both in the short and long term. You have to realize players like Youk, Dustin, Paps, etc. who make less money then Manny makes in two weeks can't take kindly to this. Then professionals like Lowell, Beckett, V-Tek, and Papi have to take major offense to him dogging it and costing the team wins and outs when they count most. I don't have the privilege of being in the clubhouse, but I have played a ton of sports in my life, and there can't be too much love for Manny right now. Were the Red Sox instantly better after trading Nomar? No. Were they better in the long run? Yes.
6. With Jason Bay we have a future as he's six years younger then Manny. There is no future for Manny in Boston it's clear as day. Bay may not make the HOF and will not draw people to the gates like Manny but he's in the professional mold the Red Sox want. A power bat in his prime who has patience at the plate adn brings 100% every day of the week. He'll never be Manny's equal, but seriously, when it comes to hitting there may only be 5 other people in all of MLB that can say that....

In short...er, long I guess, this is best for the Sox and very well is the juice needed to get the club going again. I haven't seen them look as pathetic and dead as they did last night in a long, LONG time. I watched the whole game and it was a comedy of errors and the team just looked D-E-A-D, dead. This is obviously wearing on everyone from players to management to ownership, and it's just time for the Sox to move on. There's still a ton of baseball left, and winning and losing streaks come and go. No matter what happens today the next two months sure will be interesting.

I want Manny gone mainly so I can watch baseball again, this drama would drag and infuriate me and fans all summer long and I definitely don't want that. He can take his selfish quitting ways somewhere else, good bat or not, he's gone too far.

Comments

[Sean a.k.a Shizz]

That's just Manny being a douchebag.

Although I thank him for his service here. Just wish he didn't have to be such a bitch on his way out the door.

[Derek Hixon]

That's the thing, Manny should have just finished this year out, helped the Sox get to the playoffs and beyond, and then move on, it really is that simple...

[Dogzilla]

Well, I think I come at this from a slightly different place than you (although based on some recent polls, about half of Red Sox fans share my views), but there's one thing we definitely feel exactly the same about: I want this to be done so I can go back to watching baseball. Given how the Sox performed last night, I think the Boston dugout feels the same.

[ejflexington]

Yeah dude.. what's with this... i thought you were my source on this. i was counting on you! ha I tet tim saying "deals done" or something last night after i read your blog... but then it wasn't done. Oh well. Derek you really need to work on your beatwriting. Kidding ;)

So yeah dude... I know all of those things about Manny.. and what he's been doing. i pay alot of attention to what goes on in Sox land. More so than when you guys were an afterthough all those years haha. BUt... the 3 straight strikes vs Mo.... ehhh those were nasty pitches, but if you wanna think that was a Manny moment that's fine.

Bottom line is 5.7 seconds or not... if the Sox play the Yankees in a big spot(and lets face it thats all that matters unless you guys implode... which is looking likely) Ramirez is a guy i am SCARED of. Bay is not. Not yet anyway. But we both know he will never crush the Yanks like Manny did(or will continue to)... the guy is a freak. I mean you won those championships because of the manny/ortiz combo... ALWAYS coming through in big spots. ALWAYS. Especially vs the Yanks. But you know this already.

Oh yeah... and Gammons sealed it for me yesterday when he absolutely yelled and got red in the face at Steve Phillips over the Manny Debacle. He sealed it in my mind that he is a HUGE boston Homer. I knew he was anyway... but I was taken back by that junk. I mean... Are there ANY analysts at ESPN that are yankee fans? I dont think so. Kinda tiring listening to the same junk every year about how they arent making the playoffs.. and all the negativity, and then having to watch them all eat crow again. They say it, because they hope it. It's a classic tale.

[Derek Hixon]

EJ, your use of the word crow is classic, I love it. :-)

I understand the whole Manny kills the Yanks thing, and it's so true, but he's killing the Sox right now.

As far as ESPN I'll give you that, Buster Olney knows a lot about the Yanks, but he's def. not a homer. Peter leans towards Sox for sure...maybe he is a homer, don't have a final opinion on that yet.

[ERIK]

WOW. Looks like the trade has been made. Manny coming out to visit me in Dodger land. And no BAY in return? WOW. You guys just packed your bags for the season.(I think haha)

[Derek Hixon]

Bay's still alive Flex just remember, no matter what happens, keep Manny trade Manny, get Bay, don't get Bay, you'll still say the Sox are screwed ;-)

[j9]

we got Bay

[Pete]

Wow, Manny and two prospects for Jason Bay? Nutty.

[Derek Hixon]

@ Pete: I'd say it's safe to say Craig isn't a prospect any more, I'd say more of a bad young arm. Moss....eh, in the end Manny was gone either way and was going to DOG it if play at all.

Now we have a 29 year old hitting stud who'll unify our team instead of whatever Manny was going to be (certainly not what you were used to).

Great move on Sox part, 2008 AL East Champs, watch out baby.

[Shea]

Let's start celebrating once Bay starts to hit consistently (I don't know why he wouldn't).
So, let's not be careless. I was so excited when we got Gagne....remember what happened to that!

[Melissa]

I agree with Shea, let's not get too excited about getting Bay until we see what this guy can do in A Red Sox uniform. Red Sox fans (me included) were so excited to acquire Gagme, and that deal went to shit.

I am kind of sad about Manny being gone today, but at the same time, I think it's a good thing for this team that he is gone. He kind of became a virus in the clubhouse.

I am more sad to see that Moss was traded, I really loved this guy, I think with more playing time, he's going to be a great player.