Manny Ramirez is “tired” of the Boston Red Sox and would agree to a trade that would make both him and the team happy. But he doesn’t think it will happen and Boston, battling for a playoff spot, needs the production of their cleanup hitter despite its oft-contentious relationship with him.
The Red Sox have until Nov. 9 to pick up a $20 million option for next year on Ramirez, who would have to approve any trade as a 10-year veteran with five years on the same team. They also have a $20 million option for 2010. Ramirez is in the final year of his guaranteed eight-year, $160 million contract.
Ramirez spoke for less than two minutes in Boston’s clubhouse before Sunday night’s game with the New York Yankees.
Ramirez originally told ESPNdeportes.com on Sunday that he wouldn’t object to a trade if the Red Sox are better without him. Later, in the clubhouse, he said, “What I said was, if the Red Sox think they can find a trade that’s going to make their team better and both sides are going to be happy, I’m going to agree. But they cannot find a trade. It’s something simple. It’s no big deal.”
Ramirez entered Sunday’s game batting .298 with 19 homers and 63 RBIs in 96 games. He has 509 career homers, 23rd on the all-time list and two behind Mel Ott. He hit his 500th on May 31 at Baltimore.
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