Manny ties Mantle

Manny can't even hold Mantles jockstrap!

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/recap?gameId=290710108

Can the Red Sox still win without Manny?

That was the big question when the Manny trade rumors were floating around, and it is still now.  The Red Sox haven't won a world series in 90 years besides the two with Manny, so it is a very good question.  Looking at the last couple World Series winners, the Sox match up pretty good.  The last few all ahd at least one elite power hitter (Albert Pujols, Paul Konerko) but a good power hitter to help that guy out wasn't as common.  Chicago had Jermaine Dye, but the Cardinals didn't have a Jermaine Dye.

Boston has showed they have the tools at every other position to win a championship (Almost every player on the roster was on last year's roster) except now LF.  Well, they have elite pitching (possibly best in the majors), they have a great bullpen (at least one that proved they COULD be good) and the elite power hitter (David Ortiz) along with the secondary-power hitter (three actually: JD Drew, Mike Lowell and now Jason Bay.)  The Red Sox look like a very strong contender on paper, but paper is worthless.  If the bullpen can start doing what they did in 2007, this should be a good 3 months for the Red Sox, as long as the Boston pressure doesn't get to Jason Bay.

-Charlie, Red Sox beat writer

Did that really Just Happen?

Manny Ramirez is off the the Dodgers in a 3-way deal that sends Bay to Boston.  If that wasn't bad enough, Theo sent Prospects Craig Hansen and Brandon Moss!  If you're not sure why I don't like this deal, then you're most likely not a Sox fan.  I was mad when they almost agreed to the Marlins deal, thanfully they didn't, but now I wish they had.  They wouldn't of had to give up another prospect.  On the bright side, Joe Torre will now have to deal with Manny.  Give him your worst, Manny! (On the field and off!) At least I can see Manny play now in Colorado.  Only bright side, but not worth it at all.  Next time Management gives him a contract extension, it should have a clause saying he shouldn't be allowed to deal at the deadline anymore.

Why Manny will retire as a Red Sox

Over the past few days, Manny Ramirez had made quite a fuss in Boston.  Even though the media has made the situation look 10 times as worse than it actually is, The Red Sox are tired of Manny Ramirez.  But here's why Manny will never have a trade to approve, or a free agent offer to think about:

1) The fans love Manny.  He sells lots of jerseys for them and other memorabilia.  

2) No one wants to take him.  He's a 36-year old with no speed and a knack for distracting the team.  The $20 million dollars per year doesn't help, since very few teams can afford that: Mets (Might need him as an Outfielder, but there's other OF's on the market they'd rather go after), The Yankees (Just acquired another outfielder, and once Matsui returns, they won't need a 6th OF.  Plus the fans would never go for it), Angels (Are already involved in talks with the Rockies for Holliday, and wouldn't need an OF after him.)

3) The Red Sox actually proved no one would want him when they placed him on waivers a few seasons ago, just to show Manny no one else wanted to take his huge contract.  

4) The Red Sox need him to hit for them.  They would of never won those 2 WS championships if they didn't have Manny.  

5) Manny is a Boston guy.  Knows how to deal with the pressure of Boston and is larger than life.

6) Manny and Papi make each other feel more comfortable, just like Dice-K and Okijima.  They are both from the D.R. and are great friends.  Take Manny away from Boston and Papi's production slows at least a little.