Manny Ramirez traded to Dodgers in three-way deal

bhkad · 08-02-08, 04:17 AM

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Manny Ramirez traded to Dodgers in three-way deal

ESPN.com news services

Updated: August 1, 2008, 1:51 AM ET

Slugger Manny Ramirez's stormy relationship with the Boston Red Sox is over.

Ramirez has been traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Red Sox will pay the remaining $7 million of Ramirez's contract owed for this season, ESPN.com's Peter Gammons reported.

"When a player like Manny becomes available, I don't think there's a manager in baseball who wouldn't say they're interested," said Dodgers manager Joe Torre, whose Yankees teams went toe-to-toe with Ramirez for years. "It was something that happened very quickly, obviously."

Outfielder Jason Bay is going to Boston and the Pittsburgh Pirates get four minor leaguers as part of the three-way deal.

Third baseman Andy LaRoche and right-handed pitcher Bryan Morris will go to the Pirates from the Dodgers. Outfielder Brandon Moss and right-handed pitcher Craig Hansen will leave the Red Sox organization for Pittsburgh.
Bay vs. Ramirez

At least for this season, Jason Bay and Manny Ramirez have similar numbers.

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This season
Ramirez Bay
BA .282 .299
HR 22 20
RBIs 64 68
OBP .375 .398
Slug pct. .515 .529

ESPN - Ramirez traded to Dodgers in three-way deal - MLB

I'm shocked. Stunned. Saddened.

Not to the same level of shock as if someone died, but on the same level as if a favorite couple got a divorce.

independent_thinker2002 · 08-02-08, 09:52 AM

The Dodgers needed someone who wouldn't run out ground balls.

ludahai · 08-07-08, 11:08 PM

As a Red Sox fan, while I am sad to see Ramirez go, I think Bay is better for the team. Their RBI numbers were similar, but Bay achieved them with a lesser team. He is already making an impac with the Sox. He is also younger and not as expensive. He is already fitting in and will make a valuable contribution to another World Series run and bring another championship to the city of champions (which just won its third championship in the past ten months.)

bhkad · 08-07-08, 11:25 PM

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Originally Posted by ludahai

As a Red Sox fan, while I am sad to see Ramirez go, I think Bay is better for the team. Their RBI numbers were similar, but Bay achieved them with a lesser team. He is already making an impac with the Sox. He is also younger and not as expensive. He is already fitting in and will make a valuable contribution to another World Series run and bring another championship to the city of champions (which just won its third championship in the past ten months.)

Your points are well taken. But when you consider Manny you also have to consider the performance of Big Papi. (Popi, Poppi, Poppy, Pappi?)

I haven't looked, but how has David Ortiz been doing since the trade? I know he was injured until recently. I know he is a professional. But they were more than just two good players on the same team, in the same lineup. They motivated each other and pushed each other to greater achievement while having fun.

I won't disagree with you. But I just don't know that Bay can be for the Red Sox what Manny AND Big Papi were.

And, just so you know, I'm STILL pissed that Johnny Damon left.

bhkad · 08-07-08, 11:28 PM

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Originally Posted by independent_thinker2002

The Dodgers needed someone who wouldn't run out ground balls.

He has been cured of that.

MC.no.spin · 08-07-08, 11:33 PM

Dodger fan here. Excited to see Manny. Great addition to the club and he's made a huge impact already.

I hear he was unhappy in Boston and it affected his play along with making for bad chemistry in the clubhouse. Looks like a good trade for all concerned.

bhkad · 08-08-08, 12:29 AM

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Originally Posted by MC.no.spin

Dodger fan here. Excited to see Manny. Great addition to the club and he's made a huge impact already.

I hear he was unhappy in Boston and it affected his play along with making for bad chemistry in the clubhouse. Looks like a good trade for all concerned.

Well, I'm happy for him and for Joe Torre and for you and all the other Dodger fans wherever they might be.

I went to Dodger Stadium once and it was a great place to watch a game or just to hang out. It's a great environment. Is Vin Scully still the voice of the Dodgers?

MC.no.spin · 08-08-08, 01:45 AM

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Originally Posted by bhkad

Well, I'm happy for him and for Joe Torre and for you and all the other Dodger fans wherever they might be.

I went to Dodger Stadium once and it was a great place to watch a game or just to hang out. It's a great environment. Is Vin Scully still the voice of the Dodgers?

Yeah, though I don't get the Dodger games up here in Sacramento.

Yeah, Dodger Stadium is a great place to catch a game.
I try to catch a game whenever I'm in L.A. and they're playing.

ludahai · 08-08-08, 08:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MC.no.spin

Dodger fan here. Excited to see Manny. Great addition to the club and he's made a huge impact already.

I hear he was unhappy in Boston and it affected his play along with making for bad chemistry in the clubhouse. Looks like a good trade for all concerned.

I agree. Bay makes out best of all (teams and players) because he goes from a last place team to a World Series contender.

bhkad · 08-08-08, 10:10 PM

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Originally Posted by ludahai

I agree. Bay makes out best of all (teams and players) because he goes from a last place team to a World Series contender.

In that sense, yes. Bay must wake up every day and pinch himself to make sure he isn't dreaming. I'm happy for him and hope the Red Sox repeat.

However, Manny is probably in his kind of town for real for the first time in his career.

He never played for a NYC team where he was raised. He started his career in Cleveland before going to Boston. Manny is a laid back guy, we all know. And I can't imagine Cleveland being the kind of place where he'd really feel in sync.

L.A.? Yeah. It's got everything he would want. And the fans are more laid back like he is. Not intense like the Boston fans. They have a tradition of winning during the Lasorda years and I just think Torre is a winner. It may take a season for him to get the team he wants and for them to play the way he wants them to play but it will happen. And Torre's Yankees faced the Sox enough for him to recognize the value of the future Hall of Famer and how to keep him not only happy, but in line.

Finally, as if he won't be able to just wait for the Brinks Armored Cars to unload their payloads at his door when he becomes a free agent (How much would L.A. offer him not to test the f/a market?) he will now also have a trillion dollar opportunity to do endorsements, TV, films and national ads in English AND in Spanish.

Oh, and one more thing...

If he was able to lead the Dodgers to the Series and they were to win, he would be a first ballot Hall of Famer and a legendary player that NO ONE has really taken seriously his whole career.

That comment by IT about Manny's running out ground balls has been the kind of thing hat has kept Manny below the radar. Fans have always criticized what he isn't. And while he should have been more disciplined and he has become more disciplined over time, he has always been a fantastic hitter.

I'm hoping this does it for him in every way.

The ultimate Series matchup?

You got it.

Boston vs L.A.

By the way, has anyone ever looked at the Cleveland teams in the 1990's when Manny was there? Those teams had some players who couldn't make first string but who became stars on other teams.

Their GM was John Hart. What a great baseball guy. He packed that team with talent.

Here's the Tribe's 1993 roster.

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Pitchers Height Weight Throws Bats Date Of Birth
58 Paul Abbott 6-03 185 Right Right 1967-09-15
36 Mike Bielecki 6-03 195 Right Right 1959-07-31
32 Mike Christopher 6-05 206 Right Right 1963-11-03
54 Mark Clark 6-05 225 Right Right 1968-05-12
39 Dennis Cook 6-03 185 Left Left 1962-10-04
45 Jerry DiPoto 6-02 200 Right Right 1968-05-24
48 Jason Grimsley 6-03 180 Right Right 1967-08-07
53 Jeremy Hernandez 6-06 195 Right Right 1966-07-06
29 Tom Kramer 6-00 185 Right Both 1968-01-09
28 Derek Lilliquist 6-00 214 Left Left 1966-02-20
59 Albie Lopez 6-02 205 Right Right 1971-08-18
49 Jose Mesa 6-03 225 Right Right 1966-05-22
49 Bob Milacki 6-04 234 Right Right 1964-07-28
23 Dave Mlicki 6-04 190 Right Right 1968-06-08
50, 36 Jeff Mutis 6-02 185 Left Left 1966-12-20
41 Charles Nagy 6-03 200 Right Left 1967-05-05
17 Bob Ojeda 6-01 190 Left Left 1957-12-17
38 Eric Plunk 6-05 217 Right Right 1963-09-03
48 Ted Power 6-04 225 Right Right 1955-01-31
47 Scott Scudder 6-02 185 Right Right 1968-02-14
51 Heathcliff Slocumb 6-03 220 Right Right 1966-06-07
50 Julian Tavarez 6-02 165 Right Right 1973-05-22
46 Bill Wertz 6-06 220 Right Right 1967-01-15
53 Kevin Wickander 6-02 202 Left Left 1965-01-04
43 Cliff Young 6-04 200 Left Left 1964-08-02
40 Matt Young 6-03 205 Left Left 1958-08-09

# Catchers Height Weight Throws Bats Date Of Birth
15 Sandy Alomar, Jr. 6-05 215 Right Right 1966-06-18
12 Jesse Levis 5-09 180 Right Left 1968-04-14
0 Junior Ortiz 5-11 176 Right Right 1959-10-24
13 Lance Parrish 6-03 220 Right Right 1956-06-15

# Infielders Height Weight Throws Bats Date Of Birth
9 Carlos Baerga 5-11 200 Right Both 1968-11-04
10 Alvaro Espinoza 6-00 181 Right Right 1962-02-19
16 Felix Fermin 5-11 170 Right Right 1963-10-09
20 Mark Lewis 6-01 190 Right Right 1969-11-30
42 Carlos Martinez 6-05 175 Right Right 1965-08-11
40 Randy Milligan 6-01 228 Right Right 1961-11-27
11 Paul Sorrento 6-02 200 Right Left 1965-11-17
25 Jim Thome 6-04 220 Right Left 1970-08-27
27 Jeff Treadway 5-11 170 Right Left 1963-01-22

# Outfielders Height Weight Throws Bats Date Of Birth
8 Albert Belle 6-02 210 Right Right 1966-08-25
22 Glenallen Hill 6-02 210 Right Right 1965-03-22
33 Thomas Howard 6-02 205 Right Both 1964-12-11
35 Wayne Kirby 5-10 185 Right Left 1964-01-22
7 Kenny Lofton 6-00 180 Left Left 1967-05-31
22 Candy Maldonado 6-00 190 Right Right 1960-09-05

# Other Positions Height Weight Throws Bats Date Of Birth
1 Sam Horn 6-05 250 Left Left 1963-11-02
44 Reggie Jefferson 6-04 215 Left Left 1968-09-25
24 Manny Ramirez 6-00 200 Right Right 1972-05-30

Those are some pretty darned good players.

The 1994 and 95 rosters might even look more awesome than this one. And many of the players went on to star for other teams.