" Manny Ramirez era he has all -- I'm not going to be so stupid as to say the beginning of the Jason. Well. The beginning of the Jason Bay era begins tonight weakness. It will be the two -- Jason Bay for the last couple months of this season and next season and and heads on down. I as I said to Mike Felger during the cross over. There was no doubt in mind that the Red Sox -- to trade Manny Ramirez. The -- liners and -- if I agree with it. I had to trade Manny -- was not it was not a question of getting fair value back -- quite honestly after they gave up too much to get -- But they'd have any choice they were backed into corner in terms of having rid of this guy. And and they they pretty much had to pay the prime reason and it was a hefty price."
" Reverence at the same thing yesterday. Rob Bradford now officially WPI dot com. And I disagreed with them this is on the -- language. When he said. The Red Sox gave up a lot or are they gave up too much to get Jason day now on the surface. And we don't look at things on the surface you know dale -- pro prime. On the surface -- say short they gave up too much on the surface. They gave up their cleanup hitter. They gave up. 7000007 million dollars that's on the surface without any any any context. And they gave up two young prospects. Let's let's let's get deeper into the story. What do I told you that daddy's rich he's got all types of money. And that seven million dollars is just that is spend in money for it for daddy used is going to he ain't going to TJ max he's going to Neiman Marcus on the sacks. Abbas then there's no he's not looking for 30% off 40% option for price and as matter fact. He might get something custom made like Irving friar had on. At the traditionally birdied I -- something nice. What do I told you that the cleanup hitter."
" so distracted. In Seoul. Unwilling to compete. For his franchise that he had to be. Talked onto the plane. When the Red Sox left Anaheim or Seattle. His teammate had that talk to him on to the plate he wasn't going to go to Seattle. They had to beg him to compete. It hurt our number earlier. That is that number one thing in sports. If it is inexcusable. If you have a situation with a -- have a fight that out okay that's fine other guys that does not happen okay if you even have a shoving match with. With Jack McCormick 64 years old it's not something that anybody can support or defend. -- you can say you're around somebody for a long time he's been at Boston Manny has since 2001 and that's the first incident that we've heard of -- Jack McCormick if you want to be an apology to take that group lesser you know I felt that. Okay that's -- going into the wall to talk on the phone or to drink from vitamin water as they by the water because -- On water anyway. It views that. Maybe not running hard to first base you can excuse that because you can always not everybody on -- and I -- But everybody -- competes. In professional sports. And when you tell your teammate you're not going. To the next city where they're calling. Then something is wrong with you and when you get back to Boston you don't want to play and a series against the Yankees and you tell you're teammates. Not joking."
" I'll be up for eleven days. When -- all -- go to Kansas City I won't be ready until Kansas City. So this is nothing. Like Manny in 2003. Manny in 2004 -- 2005 or 67. This is what happened when they were out in Anaheim. And I guess you complain. Scott Boras kind of -- horses is is really not the villain in this case maybe that's the first time we've said that here on Sports Radio but. This is not airports as well. He had dinner with -- your -- And a right before the first game of the Angels series. Manny is a different individual. You can say something matter of factly to him. And in his mind. It means something else or it means okay I've gotta I've got to spring into action. So. During this dinner. Perhaps Scott Boras said to Manny."
" They might pick up your option there. Might pick up your option next year they might not we're not sure. But it and in other news Manny. If you are free agent I'm very confident. That there will be teams willing to pay you. Upwards of 192021. Million dollars a year and we didn't we can do that over three or four year contract. So it will exceed the contract that you have right now. Scott board did not tell him. To act like a fool now I didn't acknowledge this -- tell him to. Go around and say the Red Sox don't deserve a player like me he didn't tell him not to get on the plane. And go to Seattle because Scott -- Boller hit some moneymaker and the best way to make money purports. If they have a guy. Finish strong rake in a season out and then. You -- now. Allow him to do his job and say. You know what -- I just don't think it's best for Manny to come back with the Red Sox you know. We we probably would want to go somewhere else just don't pick up the option. Trying to convince video but today. He -- you would have to give it to them hard because Theo wasn't going to do."
" I don't think sell I mean. Will never know what would've happened if Manny it in just -- the rest of the year. Led the team to another World Series championship. I'm saying. You know could they then say I you know 12 for one more year I don't know maybe now I don't think so either but I'm just saying nobody knows right. If you reach on the data was piece in today's Providence journal. He's got a key component of this thing and it was the point I was trying to make to Mike a few minutes ago -- McCallum wrote and I quote. After his team's dispiriting loss to Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim on Wednesday night. Epstein Theo Epstein met with a handful of Red Sox veterans all of whom delivered the same message. Manny had to go. He lost everybody everybody if he lost he didn't have a single. Ally left Alex Cora got quotes and one of the papers today with his name on it by the way. Give Alex score a lot of credit none of this anonymous while look and -- I said this but Alex Cora set it was time for Manny to golf. I promise you. You would -- they won't say bad things about they don't do that. You know you're not going to have David Ortiz concert and what it jerked they had to get that guy at a time he's not he's not built that way he's not going to do that. Manny had no allies. He had no allies laughed. And and he didn't have them. In his clubhouse his teammates he didn't happen in the managers and coaches offices that hadn't happened in the front office in the front office ownership there were no allies like. They had to trade Manny Ramirez. Given. As much as I don't like how much they had to give up I'm surprised they did as well."
" They did. But up but up but let's give practice. So you give up seven million dollars when you have the money. You give up a guy. Who has said you don't deserve me. Who has said I really don't want to play. He's actually spoken that he's actually done that with his actions right you don't you can't trust him anymore so this cleanup hitter. On paper -- Arabic cleanup hitter and gave up seven million dollars which had seven million dollars to give. And your cleanup hitter you couldn't trust down the stretch. Now. Then we we get to Craig Hansen and Brandon Moss did you want to give Brandon Moss probably not."
" I loved Brandon Moss I mean. He in and Terry has said this to he might be is as nice a kid is you have ever met as a professional athlete so the one -- that think that started a little that was Brandon -- he's got. Some upside here. Ultimately when I look at the Red Sox -- see him as an everyday starting outfielder on this team now I see him as a very valuable fourth outfielder perhaps. And and I heard Tony -- this morning talking with with Mike -- Joe Hagerty. And he said the reason the Red Sox didn't jump but the may hate for Moss trade that was loaded yesterday was that their concern wise. If they couldn't trade Manny. And many checked out on on marshall's gonna have to be there left fielder again they didn't dare trade him until he was part of the deal to bring Manny and I love the -- it. Craig Hansen to be honestly I think has -- enough he's shown me enough to think that. You know maybe I'll be wrong maybe go to Pittsburgh -- a step into the closers out unbelievable I don't say it."
" Now there he had the opportunity. To step up here and and multiple roles. At first we thought he'd be the closer. I doesn't have a make up for that there is something going on with that kid I don't know it's mental I don't know it is it is simply he's just not that good. But something's not quite right so I didn't have the make up to be closer. Many had the opportunity to be a setup guy. He didn't do the job there. And now he's essentially. A right hand specialist. The righty specialist. So I don't I don't think they'll miss Craig Hansen they will probably miss. Randy Moss but that that."
" You know all right you know bothers me more is the two draft picks. I mean to meet the two draft picks ultimately were probably going to give the Red Sox more but Brandon Moss and Craig Hansen work that's stings more to me even."
" But -- but if you lose but but when you lose the to draft picks -- sing at that that hurt that you -- in those picks. But if you have those -- you don't have Jason."
" I understand I'm no I'm saying when it when I look at the whole package that you gave up part of which are losing here the two compensatory picks they will now go to the Dodgers. And and I understand again I'm not I'm not knocking this they had to trade this guy there were no other choices for them. But that almost bothers me more than Moss and Hansen -- just don't see is having regular roles."
" Yet especially not Hansen and I thought I thought he would step up last year at. Expected him that show a little more this year. And any didn't do it in either case but the previous show I'm telling you that. Stoker's comments really drove me crazy on a lot of levels. What he's saying is. We've done this before we've seen this before before with Manny rumors that it was finished for let's say this is just a little. Worse. Than what we've seen before from man which I don't buy but. Let's protect him. He would be the first on Felger will be the first one. To call the Red Sox."
" In Hitler's. -- thought this might as the day of celebration the NA -- got up off the mat and Hitler said. -- knocked it to kick around anymore. -- to talk that talk anymore on what you have control over me. You want to be on -- we have gotten every thing we've needed to get out of yeah -- You've gotten everything you needed to get on the bus including a guy the rest of them yeah everybody they use the other up and it worked out."
" Perfectly. For seven and a half years Manny Ramirez wanted to get pay 81 at the big contract. And that team that was willing to pay him more than anybody else. Was dead cats Boston Red Sox so he's got everything out of out of the Red Sox that he wanted to at the time when he left Cleveland and the Red Sox. Despite. Their annoyance and despite their frustration. With -- Manny Ramirez they held onto him because they knew. If you put David Ortiz third lineup and you put Manny Ramirez fourth everybody else is going to be a lot better yeah. Because of these two guys they got two championships. He got a lot of money."
" So they've moved on -- finally said. Week enable you anymore -- not gonna protect you anymore. We're not going to pretend like things are cool when they're not cool. So today that there's something to celebrate even know that because. I can you -- lot of great memories and not a great moments watching Manny Ramirez. Yes yes. I remember James. Watching young man."
" Play and Thurman Munson stadium. And yet in Ohio at that double A prospect and hit three home runs and one game in the great Terry Pluto wrote a column the next day. He said it was like watching. A young Bruce Springsteen. A Springsteen play a cafe in New Jersey somewhere before he hit the next day you know what that is a bit watch an entire career. But animal."
" Yeah and I was hurt and that was the point Alex Cora he said you know what he's been great player is a great player. But it's you know it's probably best for him probably best for the team. And that's the way out I'm looking at Mets and Sean McCadam in his piece that they set you know basically. The other teams in baseball knew that the Red Sox had to make this move that's why they offered to pick up the seven million dollars. To take away some of the negotiating -- the other -- that's why they would -- negotiated with Ramirez and Boris. Pot will waive the no trade clause if you drop the two option years which they did. And again made it more palatable than other propose trading partners out there they expanded the pool of of teams who could even think about it. The Marlins couldn't even -- thought about it they had to pay him seven million rest of the year right. Now they got little greedy they fell asleep here in my opinion and they got some answering to do with folks in south Florida. But given that the the restrictions that the was operating under and that's the point I'm getting back to here. Having Jason Bay in left field tonight for the Boston Red Sox is about as good as I think you could expect. I'm not sure I you -- realistically. This season for the right I am talking about it right Manny today do you still want to win in 2000. I mean take a look Ken Griffey junior was just traded to the Chicago White Sox with the reds got in return for Ken Griffey junior. Take a look at at the other. You know big moves major -- Rodriguez and pudge Rodriguez for Kyle Farnsworth. There isn't there isn't an opt out perception out there that many great player markets are -- not -- they -- was trade first baseman. People have this idea you've got this Hall of Fame player and Manny Ramirez you get 345 great players in return you came. It that trade deadline deals that you make take a look at what. The teams who gave up the great player. They got returned and tell me where the great hall was for any of these teams."
" If and when we talk about great player we need to be a little. A little more specific. Body of work Manny Ramirez is a great player he will go down in history as a great player he will be in the Hall of Fame. Looking forward to the Hall of Fame speech. Manny Ramirez right now. In 2008. Is no longer a great player. He's a very good player now he is not a great player at 36 years old."
" I I agree that trading of four years ago yeah -- used to get a lot more. And Jason Bay as a matter of fact we trade them for years ago not even. Listening to a team who's asking about a minor league prospects whether it's Brandon -- Or whether it's your Boy George to parents it doesn't matter what I talked about prospects giving you got 32 years old and in his time. So you need to tell me what you got out you're gonna give me right and you -- film -- going to -- half of his contract."
" It did the situation. Here and and I guess I was partly. Guilty of hyperbole trying to make the point with Mike Felger but I do I do mean that's why this is different than every other year. And and the line I used with with Mike wise. The minute Jack McCormick hit the floor everything changed. And I'll tell you within that clubhouse. The perception of Manny Ramirez changed dramatically -- that --"
" The bully in the it's a -- There's a difference between that the quirky guy the quirky personality in the -- person now. Slapping a goal always is is a quirky. Half. At least he got a professional athlete. Going off on another professional athlete okay they are equals the right and any of the little bigger deal. All pro athletes that they're not afraid -- back now. But what's your age a young athlete. At 36. Taking on. A guy who's a senior citizen. I went by the -- a tough as nails yards at Columbine all right companies got a -- histories of former copies of former military man. Ticket -- but the fact is. Jack McCormick at 64. 88 like Jack McCormick a 34. Okay maybe a 34 they're tough and they still fighting there in Houston but it's 64 in two different. 36 in -- pushing. 64 year old man down to the ground and -- him you're okay. Only move. And because Manny -- out here. And the many apologists didn't say while while you'll some odd and it and that's his job Jana -- job as it is just to accommodate many. No matter how outrageous the request. But he became a bully this year and he was determined. To get -- about it now and -- one."
" It worked. I -- I like Jason Bay as a replacement. I don't think Jason Bay is Manny Ramirez I'm not trying to be silly here. But I like it as a replacement because I don't think I don't see how you could've done better than. I don't see how you -- for for the rest of this year I don't see how you -- More adequately replaced the production of Manny Ramirez than with Jason."
" days ago baseball player doesn't hit against lefties too well this year yet and -- this year right under 200 yeah against lefties. He's on pace for another. 14150. Strikeouts season but for a guy. Who was hitting over thirty home runs that's to be expected. A lot of strikeouts. I think he's going to have. A lot of fun with the left field wall. He didn't have that luxury in Pittsburgh. A real good time hitting doubles off the wall and I think you'll appreciate being an -- lineup. That has guys like Dustin Pedroia and David Ortiz and Mike Lowell and Kevin Youkilis and J. D. Drew. It is never he has never played in our lineup. This talented in his entire career. So you can talk about being in Boston in the pressure cooker of Boston he'd never really had an at bat that matters playing for awful Pirates. That's true and there's no way around them but it's also true that he's never played on the team -- good."
" And I write out all correct one number that you gave just a little bit. Jason Bay will not ever have a 140 strike out Matt Kemp one finally -- He's already done it he's got career he's he right now is at 86 strikeouts and a six game how many have last year. In the year before that -- like he had about a 150 he's got 86 right now I just don't see how he gets to that number this year. And you may be right and maybe get sixty moral of the last sixty games but I don't see that happening. That's that's not the kind of rate the eighties at night and close to the ratings that but. It's it's beside the point. He is still a guy who I'm as somebody pointed out yet today you know hitting behind him in the lineup in Pittsburgh the other night Chris Doug Mientkiewicz. How much protection do you think he was getting in that lineup now he was also playing. If you know in front of 5000 people -- night every night he."
" Yeah he's got a 140 the last three years as a threat is at 140 exactly."
" Yeah 141156142. The last I just don't seem get there this year based on where he's -- but but but the back to the greater point out you know he he has not probably had a pressure at bat. Quote unquote pressure at -- maybe ever. As a major leaguer I mean I'm not trying to be mean here but he may never have had the kind of pressure he's about to step into. He may not be able to perform under those conditions -- failed miserably yet."
" In the only the only kind of pressure you can say he's had in his career and this is legitimate. Is that he's been the guy. Who had the can who's had a key area announcements. He's been that one guy right. You have got and they've had talented players there I mean Xavier Nady the Yankees just pick them up -- good player so I don't want to say that the Pirates had. Up about describes they'd have a -- up obviously like the Red Sox Jason Bay was the guy. You had to deal with in Pittsburgh and so that's a different kind of pressure here. He might he might be introduced to a no pressure. But what are those old pressure's got to go is going to go goodbye because even have to worry about hearing an entire lineup."
" I mean realistically the Pittsburgh Pirates were out of the playoff race on opening day. I mean you could you could pay all the lip service you want. You could be I mean even Jason Bay had expressed hope in the past -- the team under the new general manager Neil Huntington was going to begin to build. Two way playoff contending type of team but in the time bay has been in Pittsburgh they were out of the playoffs. Before Easter. And insult -- when I say the pressure you know he's going to he's going to have an at bat. You know against the New York Yankees in the in the ninth inning of of a tie game where he's going to feel pressure like he's never felt right."
" That you said the Pirates were out of contention on opening day. On the correct that. There -- out of contention. Maybe like a few days before pitchers and catchers I like our savior Pirates man. He's now pitchers and catchers come all hail a year ago. Yeah you're looking forward to like you are here. Let we don't know what's gonna happen some guys to derive some guys are -- so turned on by the atmosphere sellouts are energized. There's rejuvenated. And they love playing embossed. The wall in the what do what a great allies. And some guys. As well under the pressure. -- the pressure of the pro athlete somebody's paying attention to what she did. Somebody is what you're doing -- somebody is as engaged. As you -- In the outcome of this game and I think that's exciting if if you really love your profession if your intuit. What you want people to be excited about it it."
" Yeah I don't know anything about this guy other than what I've read I've never met him I've never talked to on. All indications are that he's a great clubhouse presence he was reportedly very popular with his teammates in Pittsburg. Sean Casey I guess left him a text message last night Casey played with a briefly in Pittsburgh. 59 games in in Pittsburgh the people who played with a -- on. One scout told one of the newspapers today. You know he has already. Everything Manny wasn't in terms of clubhouse presence effort you know desire all those things. That's all positive."
" I mean without those don't matter. Those home. Because -- He could. He can I mean you know at an end this is it in the obviously that sarcasm but I will say this. I don't I don't want to beat up Manny overall because overall. He was great for this franchise despite despite all his money here despite all his issues. But here's something to keep in mind. If you are extremely talented as many years. In your hard working when it comes to hitting. As many was. You can you can get away with some of those things you can get away with some off field distractions and on field distractions that Manny going on. When your in your prime. Manny is not good enough."
" To do this. To -- to continue. His behavior at this age. I don't I don't know why people think Manny Ramirez right now has the ability to turn it on and turn it off you can't do it. When you hit 3536. No matter what kind of shake your hand things change match. He is no longer able to just say I'm going to take off. Eleven days see you in Kansas City are going to take off the final three weeks of the season and then come back for the post he's. I don't think it's going to happen and I I can't wait let's write about today is August 1. Let's say. I'm going to pick random date. August 20 bill he ripped a lot of Manny remains -- and -- I think he has -- about today and a yesterday -- yes it is great guy can be dropped to a lineup. He has experience getting in the post season. It is -- the doctors gave up two meaningless minor league prospect. This is great Ramirez even Hollywood. As act okay August when he. He -- Not saying they game but they don't know what yet."
RSS Center
