I know I'm an idiot, but what happens if the player is making the minimum?

Presumably under these conditions the agent would not take a fee until the player is making enough money for him to do so. In that case the agent's representation of a player would be an investment (rather than "working for free"), so that if the player starts to make more than the minimum, the agent will start making money in the representation.

At this point isn't most of what Boras makes pocket change?

That's what makes this whole conspiracy theory -- accusing Boras of being unethical so that he can make more money -- rather silly. And if his reputation is harmed such that he loses clients, or the ability to represent them, it's worse for him in the longterm.

As for Ramirez engaging in this conspiracy for money, what the Gammons retarded "Manny is only concerned about his next $100 million" theory misses is that players of Ramirez's stature view these contract issues as a matter of respect. That's why Ramirez got upset to begin with; the issue was respect, not money. For example:

"I want no more [expletive] where they tell you one thing and behind your back they do another thing," Ramirez told the Boston Herald. "I think I've earned that respect, for a team to sit down with me and tell me this is what we want, this is what we want to do."

"To be honest with you, I don't know, I want to stay in Boston, but I want to sit down after the season with ownership and see what my future is going to be in Boston," he said, according to the Herald. "Let's see, but the ball is in my court. If they don't pick it up, I'm a free agent and I'll go play somewhere else. We'll see."

"It's not to protect myself. I just want to know what my future is going to be," he added. "I just want them to tell me, 'We're going to take it year by year,' or, 'We're going to do this.' That's fine. Just so I know what's going on with my situation."

He didn't care whether they picked the option(s) up or not; he just wanted them to tell him what they were going to do.

That's not to say that he was in the right for whining about his contract situation before the season ended (and it certainly doesn't mean he tanked on the field), but that's what the issue was.

Yes, they have been, but they weren't willing to make a disadvantageous trade. Why did they suddenly decide they had to, with a few months left on his contract, in a tight division race?

I don't think the trade was disadvantageous to Boston at all.

Yes, they have been, but they weren't willing to make a disadvantageous trade. Why did they suddenly decide they had to, with a few months left on his contract, in a tight division race?

Did Boston make a disadvantageous trade? It certainly seems to me that the Red Sox played it right to the wire at the trade deadline, refusing to make what they saw as a disadvantageous trade but instead trying to get appropriate value. They did not let the Marlins take advantage. They were obviously quite prepared to keep Ramirez for the rest of the season if that appropriate trade didn't happen. And it very nearly didn't happen.

Kudos to the Boston front office for pulling it off, but those are not the actions of a team determined to trade Manny come hell or high water.

Well, I'm glad you all think Bay is that much better than Ramirez that he was worth the additional $7m and two players. You may be right.

But Bay is under contract for 2009 at $7.5m, and the trade has to be seen in that context. In addition the Red Sox are *not* paying an additional $7m. The $7m they are paying to cover Manny's salary with the Dodgers - well, they were obligated to pay that money anyway. The only new money they are taking on is Jason Bay's salary, $2m for the rest of the season.

Red Sox lost: $2m + Hansen + Moss + Manny in 2008
Red Sox gained: Jason Bay in 2008, + Jason Bay in 2009 @ $7.5m salary.

Doesn't look like a bad deal at all.

EDIT: What Ray said. I'm an idiot.

Red Sox lost: $2m + Hansen + Lowrie + Manny in 2008
Red Sox gained: Jason Bay in 2008, + Jason Bay in 2009 @ $7.5m salary.

Doesn't look like a bad deal at all.

It does if they traded Lowrie.

But of course you mean Moss.

Well, a $25 million player who's only in the lineup 3/5 of the time is pretty much a $15 million player.


Ramirez played 22 of 24 games in July.

That doesn't work out to 60% using the math I was taught.

It does when you realize Manny only gave 65.45454545454% effort in those 22 games.

Manny went 0 for 5 today - will there be an investigation?

He should be getting at least 2 hits a day in the NL West , right?

No disrespect meant to John, who I like, but I tried to address more of the specifics of his theory, and I had to give up because I couldn't follow it.

No offense is being taken--quite frankly, I hope I'm, wrong and I'm not adverse to be proven so. I've loved Manny for years (except against Toronto of course) and pray he's above this sort of thing.

But I am very suspicious of all this and will cheerfully eat crow (with a nice Chianti and fava beans on the side) if I'm wrong.

As I said--I'm willing to see how the season plays out but Manny's behaviour this year has been different that previous ones and it may just be a coincidence that the other factors happen to be play.

Best Regards

John

We should have noted the singular on "source" in the headline.

The Herald, always an excellent investigative paper if and only if there's an opportunity to humiliate the Globe, reports there was and is no investigation:

Major League Baseball and the Red Sox [team stats] did not comment, but indications from multiple baseball sources indicated yesterday that a formal investigation into the Manny Ramirez [stats] trade was never launched.

The commissioner’s office did inquire about the circumstances surrounding the transaction that sent Ramirez to the Dodgers. Sources, however, indicated commissioner Bud Selig was satisfied enough with the preliminary questioning that no further inquiry is expected.

The commissioner’s office did inquire about the circumstances surrounding the transaction that sent Ramirez to the Dodgers. Sources, however, indicated commissioner Bud Selig was satisfied enough with the preliminary questioning that no further inquiry is expected.

Hardly unexpected--everybody got what they wanted: the Red Sox divested themselves of Ramirez and plugged the hole with a younger option and a more well-rounded player. The Dodgers are content since they’re now poised to win a weak division and have a draw in a city where stardom counts. Ramirez and Boras are happy that he is headed for free agency at season’s end.

Why would Selig want to stir the pot? Who would really have wanted an investigation launched? Was anybody in MLB really unhappy with the final result?

Now, if Ramirez gets a record-setting contract then you can be sure ol' Bud will look into it.

Best Regards

John

Now, if Ramirez gets a record-setting contract then you can be sure ol' Bud will look into it.

I'm actually entirely sure that he won't. Bud's usually smart enough not to pick obviously losing battles.

I'm actually entirely sure that he won't. Bud's usually smart enough not to pick obviously losing battles.

Yeah. I doubt Manny even gets $20 million per year in the off season, although I think the chances are pretty good he gets something like 4 years, $70 million, which is probably a better deal for his at this point in his career than having 2 $20 million options.

John, did you say you wrote a column on this for msn? Link?

John, did you say you wrote a column on this for msn? Link?

For the record, this article (both parts) was penned on Tuesday....

From the desk of Dale Gribble

Have at it--as I said, I'll be happy to be wrong.

Best Regards

John

Have at it

Nah, I presume it says basically what you said here. I'm just interested to read it. Thanks.

Manny's behaviour this year has been different that previous ones

It's been the same besides physical altercations with good friends Jack McCormick and Kevin Youklis.

And who knows, since those incidents appear to be out of character, maybe Sox management told them to pick a fight with Manny.

Somebody needs to look at their bank accounts.

The truth is out there...

Boras hasn't been the same since that incident with Damon and Arod. Been pyscho wacked ever since.

Damon challenged him to show what he had against Clemens, since Boras said he used to be a player..up to the plate, all huffy, closed stance. Arod remarked looked quite impressive..too bad it wasn't the "killer" closed stance, you know, the one where the batter puts one foot in EACH batter's box, ready to uncortort the ball into outer space...

Damon said well couldn't expect an amateur to have the guts and ability for that. Arod: yea I know, but wouldn't it be great if, well, could tell the fellas we had the only agent that DID.

Boras overhears, immediately adjusts his stance accordingly. Clemens kindof taken aback, seeing Boras's boras fluttering in his direction, but, heck, legal stance, so let's it fly...

Boras's tryin to prove he still has 'em makes one think he DID lose 'em.

I don't doubt that Scott Boras wanted Manny out of that contract. I don't even doubt that Scott would do things, like say hand stories to a gullible media to stir up the pot. I have difficulty with Scott telling Manny to dog it.

Sore knees don't show up on an MRI. the guy is 37. Knees sometimes hurt, and clink and pop. Especially with athletes.

Scott knew Theo wanted to get rid of Manny. he has for years. Scott orchestrating a media show, I can buy. Telling Manny to dog it, thats something else all together.