Manny - Keep Him or Trade HIm?

[ChileMass]

My initial reaction is to say that the Red Sox need protection for David Ortiz, but if the report on the Boston Globe website is accurate -

http://www.boston.com/sports/nesn/wilbur/sports_blog/blog/2006/11/28/slugger_sendoff/index.html

and the Sox could wind up with Andruw Jones of the Braves, I'm all for it. Otherwise, there's just not enough value (i.e., slugging power) out there to justify it. We know what we have with Manny, and even if he needs a couple of mini-vacations every year, he still will hit 35 HR and drive in 125 runs. You can't replace that with Aubrey Huff or Frank Catalanotto.

So I'm voting "no" until/if Theo and The Trio make the Andruw Jones deal.......

 

[JimG.]

I voted to get rid of him for whatever they can get.

Of course, I'm a Yankee fan and would pay to watch the Sox flush their future down the toilet by trading Manny. The only thing better would be if they're so stupid they decide to send him to the Yankees.

Trade Manny? That's nuts!! David Ortiz is what he is because of Manny; get rid of him and Ortiz goes back to what he was before he got to the Sox, a nothing.

But hey, this Yankee fan would love to see Manny leave the division and the American League for that matter. Because whatever happens, you know he will be back to torment the Sox as soon as his contract expires and the Yankees sign him.

Yeah, go ahead, trade Manny. Good move.

 

[FRITOLAYGUY]

Of course Jim votes get rid of him, he hit 533 against the Yankees this year with 7 homers.. I say keep him, if he leaves Ortiz will walk 150times, will not be a good situation.

 

[roark]

Thanks for including an option for me Chile!

 

[ChileMass]

Thanks for including an option for me Chile!

No problem, Roark - but remember - you had better put on a good public show up there in Cow Hampshire if any of the locals ask who your favorite team is. Oakland might as well be in Mongolia.......

 

[JimG.]

Of course Jim votes get rid of him, he hit 533 against the Yankees this year with 7 homers.. I say keep him, if he leaves Ortiz will walk 150times, will not be a good situation.

Of course!

And it's not even because of his numbers against the Yankees...the guy is a Hall of Fame worthy offensive force. I'd be nuts to want him to stay with the Sox, just like you would be all for the Yankees getting rid of Jeter.

I know he's a flake, but I do not understand this yearly obsession with trading him. You Sox fans need some group therapy.

 

[FRITOLAYGUY]

I dont understand it either Jim, every year we seem to go thru this and in the end he ends up staying. The guy is a 1st ballot hall of Famer, his numbers have been consistent, as long as he hits 40hrs and drives in 120 every year i could care less if he acts like an idiot. At least his antics are usually amusing

 

[ChileMass]

They're saying on Boston radio this afternoon that Francona wants him gone, that he's too much of a distraction. I guess there are many, many more stories of him doing his own thing at the expense of the team that have not gotten out and are driving the Sox management crazy. Cashman and Big George would never put up with it, either.

Jim G - if they can somehow swing the rumored Andruw Jones trade with SF and Atlanta, the Sox outfield could be Gold Glover Jones in left, Coco in center and JD Drew in right. Whaddya think - not bad at all, huh?

 

[Mike P.]

Must keep him, he is the best hitter in baseball when you consider average power & RBI's. They walk Ortiz all the time without him. Ortiz is not as good a hitter when he has to hit tough pitching.

If Bonds could play the field still & wasn't more of a pariah than Manny, then you might manage it, although Bonds would cost more. When Soriano get's 17M a year, Manny's 20M is not that bad.

Rosenthal from Fox was on this AM, even Andruw Jones isn't the hitter Manny is.

 

[skiNEwhere]

get rid of him, i have never liked him, he is a horrible outfielder, and he doesn't put out, nothing pisses me off more than pro athletes who get paid big money and don't put out. how about manny runs hard and tries to get a double instead of sticking his index finger in the air celebrating after driving in a run, and taking a wide turn at first instead.

but on the flipside, we need to get something good in return, someone who can bat in front of ortiz, if not, no deal

 

[JimG.]

They're saying on Boston radio this afternoon that Francona wants him gone, that he's too much of a distraction. I guess there are many, many more stories of him doing his own thing at the expense of the team that have not gotten out and are driving the Sox management crazy. Cashman and Big George would never put up with it, either.

Jim G - if they can somehow swing the rumored Andruw Jones trade with SF and Atlanta, the Sox outfield could be Gold Glover Jones in left, Coco in center and JD Drew in right. Whaddya think - not bad at all, huh?

I would NEVER trade Manny for Jones...Manny is a far superior offensive player and certainly adequate in the field.

Why do you suppose Atlanta wants to get rid of Jones? He's a whiner and complainer.
He won't play in left, he wants to play center. He'll drive you nuts until he gets what he wants. Always has played center. And what is so great about Crisp? A poor replacement for Damon at best.

Keep Manny...yes, he does some weird stuff. So does Jones.Trading one flake for another.

 

[Mike P.]

Does Manny want to be in Atlanta, he does have a no trade clause & while AJ had a couple fo good years hitting, Manny has been among league leaders in assist teh last few years as runners look at him strolling back to the wall & assume they have a double. Manny plays the bounce off the wall better than most (seems once a week he is bare handing a ball on one hop) & gets the ball into second faster then he seems to capable of doing.

As far as Damon, most people thought he would be good this year, like the decison not to sign Pedro, the decison was based on the last two years of the four year deal. Pedro had one good year, Theo looked pretty good not signing him. (People he did sign is another option.) If they can get the deal done in Japan pitching looks improved. See me in 2008 + 2009 for outcome of Damon Vs. Crisp

If they forget Lugo, do you trade with Angels for O-Cab, a good starter & a reliever (Figgins is gone) Don't think you can trade Vlad for Manny staright, I'd like Vlad here too but while power numbers are good, he would bat 3rd & Ortiz 4th as he needs more protection since he swings at everything, maybe with Ortiz behind him, he'd get better stuff to hit.

Bullpen remains issue & injuries to pitchers. Wake maybe bullpen bound as he is most versatile of last years starters. This could be most problematic as Theo & company have not had good success evaluating & signing bullpen. (Trade Merideth, Sign, Remlinger, Rudy S., Taveres, well he was pretty good as ER starter in September) Hanson & DelCarmen have to be really ready this year