BOSTON -- In a stunning move that provides the clearest evidence yet
that the Red Sox are determined to rid themselves of Manny Ramirez, the
club placed the controversial slugger on irrevocable waivers yesterday,
sources outside the organization confirmed last night.
The waivers exist for 48 hours, running through tomorrow. If a team puts
a claim in for Ramirez, the Red Sox would lose him and not be able to
pull him back. However, the Sox would also be free of the more than $95
million Ramirez has owed to him in remaining base salary.
Ramirez has five more years left on an eight-year, $160 million deal
that was signed with Boston in December of 2000. The club also holds
options on a seventh and eighth season.
Boston's displeasure with Ramirez was well-known following a string of
incidents in late August and early September. Ramirez missed a critical
three-game weekend series with the New York Yankees because of illness,
but was spotted socializing with Yankee infielder Enrique Wilson that
Saturday night in a Boston hotel lobby.
After failing to report for a scheduled examination with the team's
medical staff the following day, Ramirez accompanied the Sox to
Philadelphia for a Labor Day makeup game against the Phillies, then
repeatedly declined requests to pinch-hit. The day after, as the team
began a series in Chicago, Ramriez was benched by then-manager Grady
Little.
His actions enraged management and began internal talk of dealing him
this off-season, with the full knowledge that the Sox would likely have
to eat much of his remaining money.
Placing Ramirez on irrevocable waivers serves a two-fold purpose for the
Sox. At the very least, it signals to 29 other teams a willingness to
deal Ramirez and could lead to future trade talks.
Secondly, it gives the Sox an opportunity to slice Ramirez's
eight-figure financial commitment from their books altogether.
Baseball sources said last night that the Yankees would be the team most
likely to claim Ramirez. Stinging from a World Series defeat, owner
George Steinbrenner has temporarily stripped general manager Brian
Cashman of his power, taken control of the team himself and signaled an
intent to radically overhaul his roster.
The Yankees' need for a power-hitting outfielder, coupled with the
opportunity to weaken the Red Sox, may prove alluring for Steinbrenner.
Ramirez has always hit well in Yankee Stadium, which is perfectly suited
for the right-handed hitter's opposite-field power.
While the Yankees represent the best bet to claim Ramirez, they're not
the only teams likely to at least give the idea consideration. The New
York Mets, also in need of outfield power and seeking to reclaim some
attention from the Yankees, might also be interested.
The Baltimore Orioles, free of tens of millions of contractual
obligations this year and eager to again become players in the A.L.
East, are another possibility. Slightly less interested might be the
Anaheim Angels and Los Angeles Dodgers.
Ramirez told ESPN's Joe Morgan in late August that it was a "dream" of
his to someday play for the Yankees. Though born in the Dominican
Republic, Ramirez was raised in the Washington Heights section of
Manhattan, not far from the Bronx.
At the same time, Ramirez has told players on at least one other
American League team -- not the Yankees -- that he would prefer to play
for them rather than remain with the Red Sox.
It's possible that Ramirez, through Moorad, may have more formally
communicated a wish to the Red Sox of his preference to play elsewhere.
If the Sox could trim approximately $20 million from their payroll,
allowing them to invest in other desirable free agents and fostering a
more selfless approach for their roster, they would be only too happy to
grant Ramirez his wish.
In his three seasons to date with the Red Sox, Ramirez has hit .300 each
year and collected more than 30 homers and more than 100 RBI. He won the
American League batting title in 2002 and knocked in 100 or more runs in
eight of his nine major league seasons, the first six of which were
spent with the Cleveland Indians.
But the Red Sox have decided that for all his offensive excellence,
Ramirez is no bargain -- on the payroll or in the clubhouse.
Ramirez will make $20.2 next season -- the single-highest annual salary
over the life of the contract. He'll be paid $19.6 million in 2005,
$18.5 million in 2006, $17.4 million in 2007 and $19.3 million in 2008.
