Ramirez blasts Red Sox again amid trade report

Jul 31, 2008 - 5:33 AM BOSTON (Ticker) - The discord continues to grow between the Boston Red Sox and Manny Ramirez - to the point where the enigmatic left fielder may wind up in South Florida.

Amid multiple published 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."

The Palm Beach Post reported late Wednesday night that the Marlins had reached a tentative agreement to acquire Ramirez in a three-team deal that included the Pittsburgh Pirates.

The Marlins would ship Hermida, righthander Ryan Tucker and two other prospects to Boston, which would then send the four players to Pittsburgh for outfielder Jason Bay and lefthander John Grabow.

The Red Sox would pay the remaining $7 million of Ramirez's contract and add a prospect, according to the Post.

The Globe, citing sources, reported it was not a done deal but that the sides were getting close, while ESPN reported that the Pirates were balking at the deal because they were not satisfield with the prospects they would receive.

"I know there's stuff out there now, but right now I'm still part of the Pirates," Bay said after Pittsburgh's game Wednesday night. "Everything else is just speculation; I can't give you anymore than that."

The trade talk was on the minds of the Marlins' players following a 7-5 victory over the New York Mets on Wednesday that pulled them within 1 1/2 games of the lead in the National League East.

"That would be awesome," first baseman Mike Jacobs said. "That's a huge bat. If we made a move or got a guy like that, that's great."

"I've met him a couple times and he seems like a great guy," All-Star second baseman Dan Uggla said of Ramirez. "Obviously, he's probably one of the best hitters to ever play the game. I think he can help any team out. I know he's one of those special hitters."

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.

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.

"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.

Ramirez's salary is approximately $2 million less than the entire payroll of the Marlins, who do have a noteworthy trade history with the Red Sox.

Boston acquired ace Josh Beckett and third baseman Mike Lowell from Florida after the 2005 season for a package featuring four prospects, headed by current All-Star shortstop Hanley Ramirez.

Ramirez, 36, is batting .299 with 20 home runs and 68 RBI.

If the trade went through, the 29-year-old Bay would be counted on to fill the power void left by Ramirez in Boston's lineup. Bay is batting .282 with 22 homers and 64 RBI.

"If it's Boston or wherever it might be, that's the silver lining, a little bit of sweet," Bay acknowledged. "At this time of year I would definitely like to be part of that atmosphere."

Conversely, two Marlins players rumored to be a part of the deal did not sound eager to leave a pennant contender for Pittsburgh, which is in last place in the NL Central.

"I've heard them, but rumors are rumors until something happens," outfielder Jeremy Hermida said. "You take them for what it's worth and just deal with something when it happens. It's something that is out of my hands. I definitely love it here and love the guys on this team and really enjoy playing here."

"This is the only organization I have known since 2000," outfielder Josh Willingham said. "I was drafted by the Marlins so yeah definitely, it would be different. But we'll cross that bridge when if it comes, but I'm not sure it will."

If it is indeed Ramirez's final season in Boston, it will go down as a memorable one. He was involved in separate incidents, getting involved in a dugout shoving match with teammate Kevin Youkilis and pushing the team's traveling secretary Jack McCormick to the ground.

Ramirez also reached a pair of milestones by hitting his 500th homer and, on Monday night, he belted his 20th of the season, making him the eighth player in history to hit 20 homers in 14 consecutive seasons.