Baseball Musings
Baseball Musings
July 30, 2008
Trading Manny

My latest article on SportingNews.com looks at how a loss of Manny Ramirez would effect the Red Sox runs and wins. Over a third of a season, the Red Sox don't lose that much, and a good trade might even help them.

Of course, there is something to be said for concentrating offense in one player. A great player is more likely to get hot in a short series, which really helps in the playoffs. Manny demonstrated that last year.

Over the last few days, however, I've come to the conclusion that the Red Sox should trade Manny, just to send a message. A Keith Hernandez trade, if you will. Send him to San Diego where his power will disappear. Send him to Seattle so he can know what it's like to play for a lousy team. Send him to Washington with the proviso that Washington exercices his option and dooms him to also ran status for two more years.

He's no longer a lovable goof ball. He's no longer so good that he'd be impossible to replace. His actions the last month strike me as a player who wants to be traded. His pushing the traveling secretary, sitting out games, and his non-hustle in the middle of a no-hitter all send the message Manny wants out. Grant him his wish. At some point, the other players will start wondering why they can't get away with the crap Manny pulls, and then the Red Sox have real problems.


Posted by David Pinto at 11:49 AM | Baseball Jerks | TrackBack (0)
Comments

10-5 guy, so unfortunately he goes where he wants.

Posted by: Hei Lun Chan at July 30, 2008 01:17 PM

Hard to see where trading him helps unless you get a SS and good relief pitcher - which I don't see happening. Plus with LAAA-LAAA-LAAA loading up I don't see how addition by subtraction works this year. I said 2 weeks ago I don't see his option getting picked up unless they win it all- now I don't see it even if they win.

Posted by: Bandit at July 30, 2008 02:25 PM

Replacing Ramirez with Bay - the deal that currently gets most of the rumors - would be an on-field wash, maybe actually a slight upgrade for Boston.

Bay's .894 OPS is a little worse than Ramirez' .926. But Pittsburgh is a much worse hitter's park than Fenway, especially for right-handed hitters. Baseball-reference.com rates Fenway at 106/105 for hitters, Pittsburgh at 98/98.

Any leftfielder would be a defensive upgrade on Ramirez, and Bay is no exeption. Of course, Bay causes no off-field problems like Ramirez does, which may swing the balance.

Posted by: Casey Abell at July 31, 2008 08:23 AM
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