GaryMrMets
01-06-2006, 11:36 PM
http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseball/mets/story/380485p-323092c.html
Manny: I'm staying
But agent says he still could go to O's
BY ANTHONY McCARRON
DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITER
The Mets have landed several big-name players this winter, but they apparently won't be getting Manny Ramirez, the slugger Mets GM Omar Minaya covets the most.
Ramirez, the enigmatic Red Sox outfielder who asked for a trade earlier this winter, seemingly came off his demand yesterday in an interview with ESPNdeportes.com, saying, "There will be no trade, I'm staying in Boston, where I'm familiar with the system and where I have a lot of friends, especially David Ortiz."
However, Greg Genske, Ramirez's agent, says his client remains open to a trade. Genske, told FOXSports.com last night that Ramirez would consider waiving his no-trade clause for the Orioles or another team, discounting the remarks by Ramirez to ESPNdeportes.com. Genske said he called Ramirez after learning of the slugger's remarks, and the Red Sox left fielder denied making the comments.
"If Boston is able to work out a trade with Baltimore or another team, Manny is still open to making a move," Genske said.
Ramirez told ESPNdeportes.com he still thought the Sox might try to deal him. But he has the right to decline a trade. "I know the American League system. That's one reason I don't want to go to the National League," Ramirez said. "I also want to play for a contender and I think with Boston I'm assured of that."
A sublime offensive talent, Ramirez can also be a frustrating teammate. He has said he wanted to be traded because the city of Boston offers no privacy. But he has also said in his career that he wanted to play for the Yankees, regardless of the spotlight they attract.
Minaya has pursued Ramirez the last two winters, but any deal was complicated by Ramirez's hefty price tag - he is owed $57 million over the final three years of an eight-year, $160 million deal - and his incredible talent. Ramirez, 33, hit .292 with 45 homers and 140 RBI last season, making it .nearly impossible for Boston to get equal value for him.
There seemed to be a chance earlier this offseason when Baltimore's Miguel Tejada made a trade demand of his own, but the Orioles and Red Sox haven't yet reached a deal, even with the option of getting other clubs involved in a three- or four-way blockbuster. The Mets were eager to jump in, but one Met exec said the the team would not part with top prospect Lastings Milledge and Aaron Heilman in a trade. Those two likely would've been Boston's starting point.
The Orioles instead could deal Tejada for Phillies outfielder Bobby Abreu, FOXSports.com said it had learned. Philadelphia has proposed an Abreu-for-Tejada trade with the intention of playing Tejada at third base. The Orioles want pitching in addition to Abreu, according to sources with knowledge of the negotiations.
The Tejada-for-Ramirez talks, while stalled, are not dead, sources say. The same is true of the talks between the Cubs and Orioles regarding Tejada, which also are stalemated but could revive quickly. Other teams, such as the Angels, also could be in the mix.
Ramirez probably hurt any chance of a swap between the Red Sox and O's by reportedly demanding that his two one-year options at $20 million apiece be picked up.
Originally published on January 6, 2006
Manny: I'm staying
But agent says he still could go to O's
BY ANTHONY McCARRON
DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITER
The Mets have landed several big-name players this winter, but they apparently won't be getting Manny Ramirez, the slugger Mets GM Omar Minaya covets the most.
Ramirez, the enigmatic Red Sox outfielder who asked for a trade earlier this winter, seemingly came off his demand yesterday in an interview with ESPNdeportes.com, saying, "There will be no trade, I'm staying in Boston, where I'm familiar with the system and where I have a lot of friends, especially David Ortiz."
However, Greg Genske, Ramirez's agent, says his client remains open to a trade. Genske, told FOXSports.com last night that Ramirez would consider waiving his no-trade clause for the Orioles or another team, discounting the remarks by Ramirez to ESPNdeportes.com. Genske said he called Ramirez after learning of the slugger's remarks, and the Red Sox left fielder denied making the comments.
"If Boston is able to work out a trade with Baltimore or another team, Manny is still open to making a move," Genske said.
Ramirez told ESPNdeportes.com he still thought the Sox might try to deal him. But he has the right to decline a trade. "I know the American League system. That's one reason I don't want to go to the National League," Ramirez said. "I also want to play for a contender and I think with Boston I'm assured of that."
A sublime offensive talent, Ramirez can also be a frustrating teammate. He has said he wanted to be traded because the city of Boston offers no privacy. But he has also said in his career that he wanted to play for the Yankees, regardless of the spotlight they attract.
Minaya has pursued Ramirez the last two winters, but any deal was complicated by Ramirez's hefty price tag - he is owed $57 million over the final three years of an eight-year, $160 million deal - and his incredible talent. Ramirez, 33, hit .292 with 45 homers and 140 RBI last season, making it .nearly impossible for Boston to get equal value for him.
There seemed to be a chance earlier this offseason when Baltimore's Miguel Tejada made a trade demand of his own, but the Orioles and Red Sox haven't yet reached a deal, even with the option of getting other clubs involved in a three- or four-way blockbuster. The Mets were eager to jump in, but one Met exec said the the team would not part with top prospect Lastings Milledge and Aaron Heilman in a trade. Those two likely would've been Boston's starting point.
The Orioles instead could deal Tejada for Phillies outfielder Bobby Abreu, FOXSports.com said it had learned. Philadelphia has proposed an Abreu-for-Tejada trade with the intention of playing Tejada at third base. The Orioles want pitching in addition to Abreu, according to sources with knowledge of the negotiations.
The Tejada-for-Ramirez talks, while stalled, are not dead, sources say. The same is true of the talks between the Cubs and Orioles regarding Tejada, which also are stalemated but could revive quickly. Other teams, such as the Angels, also could be in the mix.
Ramirez probably hurt any chance of a swap between the Red Sox and O's by reportedly demanding that his two one-year options at $20 million apiece be picked up.
Originally published on January 6, 2006