Mets Hot Stove: Manny, the One-Man Soap Opera

Is he staying in Boston? Will he agree to a trade? The biggest prima donna in baseball doesn't seem to know himself.

ESPN Deportes: Manny says he's staying
Enrique Rojas informs us that Manny Ramirez doesn't expect to be traded. Manny tells Rojas that is fine with him:

There will be no trade, I'm staying in Boston, where I'm familiar with the system and where I have a lot of friends, especially David Ortiz. ... I'm going to take things easy and focus on my career.

Manny says that he wants to remain an American League type of guy:

The MVP of the 2004 World Series thinks Boston may still try to trade him, but Ramirez has the right to veto any deal and wants to stay in the American League. "I know the American League system. That's one reason I don't want to go to the National League," he said. "I also want to play for a contender, and I think with Boston I'm assured of that."

If you're a Mets fan who wishes to see Manny at Shea, don't despair. If you're like me and you don't want the fat jerk, don't get cocky. In this soap opera, there are new twists and turns every time you blink.

Fox Sports: Manny's agent says a trade is still possible
Ken Rosenthal reports that Manny's agent was quick to contradict the previous report, even though it came straight from the horse's ass' mouth:

Meanwhile, Ramirez's agent, Greg Genske, told FOXSports.com Thursday night that Ramirez would consider waiving his no-trade clause for the Orioles or another team, discounting Ramirez's statement to ESPNDeportes.com that he was "staying in Boston."

Genske... said he called Ramirez after learning of the slugger's remarks, and Ramirez denied making the comments.

"If Boston is able to work out a trade with Baltimore or another team, Manny is still open to making a move," Genske said.

I wonder how Enrique Rojas feels about being called a liar? Hopefully not too bad, as most of us realize who it is that's full of crap...

Anyway, Rosenthal is reporting the possibility of a Orioles - Phillies trade of Miguel Tejada for Bobby Abreu. Rosenthal cites "sources with knowledge of the negotiations" that the Orioles would want pitching along with Abreu. The big question here is where the Phillies are going to find the pitching to trade. Their most attractive starter is Brett Myers, who is young and improving. But can they really afford to lose him, or any other decent pitcher for that matter? Sure, Tejada would rev up their already high-octane offense, but the scores of their games would look like slow-pitch softball scores.

And I thought Manny didn't want to go to the National League? Or was he "misquoted" on this, too?

Also, according to Rosenthal, the Phillies would play Tejada at 3B. I know A-Rod did this to come to the Yankees, but is Tejada willing to do this to come to a club that has only slightly more chance of winning than the Orioles?

Rosenthal reminds us of one other important point:

Another obstacle to consider: Abreu, Ramirez and Tejada would gain the right to demand a trade at the end of next season if they were dealt in the middle of multi-year contracts. A player who makes such a demand can become a free agent if his request is not met by the following March 15, though players rarely are willing to take that step and forfeit their remaining salary. The Diamondbacks traded pitcher Javier Vazquez to the White Sox after he filed a trade demand in November.

It just keeps getting better and better...