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It's the Most Nonsensical Time of the Year

Christmas music is on every radio station, jewelry and perfume ads swarm off one's TV. And in another holiday tradition, the Red Sox are peddling Manny Ramirez. They hang the slugger up each winter like Ramirez was misteltoe. They just never get kissed.


This time, the rumormongers assure us, it's different. Not only are the Sox going to succeed in dealing off their "problem" future Hall of Famer, they're going to get valuable talent in return! Front-line pitchers! Promising young position players!! Top prospects ready for the big leagues!!!

Without casting any aspersions on hard-working baseball reporters, from a distance it certainly appears as if all the proposed Ramirez trades hang on one vital feature-an unprecedented amount of alchohol abuse at the upcoming winter meetings.

The Globe's Gordon Edes wrote today the Padres are considering sending starter Jake Peavy and/or first baseman first baseman Adrian Gonzalez along with the inevitable relief pitcher to Boston in return for Manny. If so, the family of San Diego GM Kevin Towers needs to stage an intervention ASAP. He's clearly a man in crisis.

Peavy only started the opening game of the playoffs for the Padres. Teams don't trade first starters under contract for mere sluggers, even those as gifted as Manny. Nor are they keen on dealing away a 24-year old who's proven he can hit in the majors for a 35-year old, no matter how gifted the old guy may be. Doesn't happen. Anybody seeking a fencebuster with baggage and achey knees can always sign free agent Barry Bonds for less dough than Ramirez makes and lose exactly no talent in return.

Later on in Gordon's story, we learn of less glamorous deals which actually make sense for the clubs MAKING an offer for Ramirez. The Mariners might part with either Richie Sexson or Adrian Beltre, and the Philles have an unspecified interest everyone knows means "please take Pat Burrell."

Inflation has altered the annual Manny dance. Once upon a time, like from 2003 on, Ramirez's contract of approximately $20 million a year deterred all suitors. Now, Manny's deal has but two years to go, and compared to the money given free agents Alfonso Soriano and Carlos Lee, his price doesn't seem so bad. Ramirez will never be a bargain, but he's no longer a market outlier.

The trade rumors reflect this reality. Where it used to be impossible to deal Ramirez except for the one player who made more than him, Alex Rodriguez, now clubs are prepared to make bids. Sexson, Beltre, and Burrell all fit into the same slot. They're all kind of like Manny-guys paid big bucks to hit a ton. The only differences are none of 'em are paid quite as much as Ramirez and, sadly, none of them are nearly as good.

Baseball has a long history of infamous trade swindles clubs rue for decades after the fact. Assuming the firm of Henry, Lucchino, and Epstein can't work a swindle for Ramirez, getting swindled for the sake of the franchise's mental health doesn't strike me as a good deal. Better to put up with the inevitable Manny headaches for the next two seasons. In between, there will be plenty of soothing homers and RBI.

posted by Michael Gee @ 12:19 PM