FORT MYERS, Fla. -- Carefree as ever and unconcerned about the contractual limbo that faces him this fall, Manny Ramirez spoke to the media this morning and vowed to keep playing ''until the wheels come off.''

Ramirez, who reported Wednesday afternoon, the day position players were expected to report, denied that his on-time arrival was significant.

''Hey -- I'm always on time,'' Ramirez said. ''I might be late two years in a row, but I'm always on time. I feel great. I'm looking forward to '08 and '09. I did my work like I always do every year. I'm excited to be here. I'm not making any statement. I'm here to work and I'm here.''

Ramirez was quizzed about his contractual status. The 2008 season is his last guaranteed year, with the Sox holding options for 2009 and 2010.

''I'm going to work on the situation,'' he said. ''I want to stay here. But it's up to them if they want to be bring me back. If they don't want to bring me back, that's fine. I'll be a free agent after '08. So that's another thing that I'm looking forward to.''

Ramirez spent a chunk of the off-season training at Athletes' Performance Institute and said the experience was a positive one.

''I like it,'' he said. ''I heard about them when (Nomar) Garciaparra was here. Like I was saying, man, I want to be like Julio Franco, play all I can. Why not? So that's the place to go and work out and get ready for the season.''

Throughout the brief interview, Ramirez continually stressed that his contract status is out of his hands.

''I want to finish my career here,'' he said, ''but it's up to them. If that doesn't happen, hey, I'll go and play somewhere else and I know I still can play. What else can I say? It's up to them. I'm not the one who writes the checks.''

He added that he doesn't feel the need to prove himself in 2008.

''No, they know I can play,'' he said. ''I don't have to come in and try to do too much. I'm just going to come in, try to be Manny and do my thing.''

His performance dipped some last season, when, for the first time as a member of the Red Sox, he failed to reach 30 homers or 100 RBI. But winning a championship more than made up for that.

''(The 2007 season) was great for me,'' he said. ''I learned a lot. I wouldn't trade those numbers for a World Series ring. I got the ring again and I'm blessed, man.''

The title was his second in four years and he considers himself fortunate.

''It's great -- it's a blessing,'' Ramirez said. ''A lot of people play and they never get one. So many people have played for the Red Sox . . . Ted Williams . . . So many guys, such great players and they didn't get a ring. So I'm just happy to be here and blessed.''

There were times in the past, he aknowledged, that he wanted to be traded. But after seven seasons in Boston, he now wants to stay.

''You start growing up, you mature also,'' he said. ''Now I'm here and I want to stay here. But it's up to them . . . I'm not going to ask nobody for an extension. I'm going to come play the game -- I know what situation I'm in -- that's it. I'm going to come and play and let them make the decision. I'm happy.

''They're the ones with the money. It's up to them. It's not up to me to go into the office and demand a four-year deal or whatever. I'm going to come here to play the game, finish the year. If they want me to come back I'll come back

''I'm going to wait and talk to them about what they're going do after the season. I don't want to play the game and do all this (negotiating). I want to play the game and finish my year and whatever happens, happens.''