Jul 30, 2008 - 8:58 PM
0 shoutsBOSTON (Ticker) - The discord continues to grow between the Boston Red Sox and left fielder Manny Ramirez.
Amid reports that the Red Sox and Marlins are engaged in serious trade talks, the Boston Globe reported that Ramirez unloaded a verbal blast on Boston management Wednesday night.
After telling ESPNDeportes that the Red Sox haven't asked his permission for a trade, Ramirez went on the offensive.
"The Red Sox don't deserve a player like me," Ramirez told a reporter for ESPNDeportes. "During my years here I've seen how they (the Red Sox) have mistreated other great players when they didn't want them to try to turn the fans against them.
"The Red Sox did the same with guys like Nomar Garciaparra and Pedro Martinez, and now they do the same with me. Their goal is to paint me as the bad guy. I love Boston fans, but the Red Sox don't deserve me. I'm not talking about money. Mental peace has no price and I don't have peace here."
On Sunday, Ramirez told reporters in the Red Sox clubhouse that he would welcome a trade before Thursday's deadline if the Red Sox can find a taker.
"I'm tired of them, they're tired of me," said Ramirez, who is in the final year of an eight-year, $160 million contract. The Red Sox hold options for the next two seasons at $20 million each.
Ownership and manager Terry Francona met with Ramirez after the superstar complained of nagging soreness in his right knee, forcing him to miss two games, including Friday's opener against the New York Yankees.
After Boston had Ramirez undergo an MRI on both knees and it showed no medical reason why he could not return, he returned to the lineup Saturday.
Meanwhile, ESPN reported Wednesday night that the Red Sox and Marlins are trying to broker a deal that would send Ramirez to Miami and land the Red Sox a package of three players.
Entering Wednesday's game, Ramirez, 36, was batting .301 with 20 home runs and 68 RBI.
Ramirez hit his 500th homer earlier in the season and belted his 20th of the season Monday night, making him the eight player in history to hit 20 homers in 14 consecutive seasons.
