"Manny-delay Bay"

That is just one "witty" new paper headline that will probably be written in regards to the 3 way deal with Manny Ramirez for Jason Bay. These will be the same writers that will now trash Manny for the next week or so in the Boston Area. Also will be heard the first few times Jason Bay either hits a home run or makes a nice catch is "But, he is NO Manny Ramirez". And before you jump on the BYE BYE MANNY band wagon lets get a few things out in the open.

Manny needed to go, his agent wasn't happy in Boston. Scott Boras, Manny's agent, felt that he could make more money that Boston was going to offer. When I say he, I mean Boras. If you can't smell what I am stepping in right here I am saying "Scott Boras has fueled Manny's little temper tantrum of recent times". See, Boras is the most hated of all agents in baseball. He is a tough negotiator and usually gets what he wants, and when he doesn't he gets his players to jump ship. Manny is the easiest on because, I have said this along time, Manny is a child. He is easily led by the nose, and Boras knows this cash cow only has 3-4 more years of mooing. He figures get him out now, and make it seem the team is to blame. This will make it easier to get another team to give him a good contract, henceforth, Boras gets paid. I am sure that he had to work hard, because as we all know, Manny loves being Manny, and people would over look his run of the mill lunacy and not pay attention. So, its onto slamming the team, and making funny signs to hold up on TV. It is about cash, not winning. If it were about winning Manny would be in a Cubs Uniform or a Angels Uniform (they both need 1 more big bat and they are both contenders)

Now, I want to be the first to THANK Manny for allowing us to witness 2 World Series Rings. We all stood and cheered during walk offs, big home runs, the occasional GREAT assist and his goofy disposition. I know everyone is going onto that "I never liked him" truck. I am hearing it 2 1/2 hours after the trade on the west coast. But lets face it, Fenway went NUTS when Manny came to bat in big situations, the man is the active leaders in RBI's. He was true in the box, never cheated him self. He studied his craft, it is probably the only thing he takes serious. He is a student of the game, with his nasty dreads flying around and the silly stocking cap. I loved him on the field, and I will miss his bat. I wish HIM nothing but luck, because he is honestly just the cog in the Boras Engine. Manny will be in the hall of fame, and he will probably do it in a Red Sox uniform, because he won't remember this soap opera. I will cheer that day, and hope he never beats us before then. I know Manny needed to leave, he was a distraction. The team wasn't happy and its time. I am not blind to reality, I am just one who remembers what he DID on the field, and that's why I love baseball.

Now the Red Sox also lose, Craig Hansen and Brandon Moss. Hansen is going to me a GREAT middle reliever mark my words. He will probably be Mike Timlin in his prime a year or to. He has come leaps and bounds this year, and he WILL beat us at some point in his career. Brandon Moss at best is a journeymen outfielder. Decent glove, slow light bat. He may steal a home run from us, who knows.

In return we get Jason Bay. He has been in the major's since 2004. He was the NL Rookie of the year. He is a catalyst player. He is NOT MANNY. He is a tough, wall running into guy. He is about 5 years younger and about 16 Million a year cheaper. He has good pop in the bat, decent RBI guy and can steal the occasionally bag. He is a good outfielder, who can track a ball well. He has some good years left and he probably can hit 500 Home runs if he stays on course, though he is susceptible to left handed pitching, which Manny was not. But in Boston, the writers will eat him up, and constantly say he isn't Manny. Which is sad, but so aren't the writers.....................................Oh and the first time Joe Buck, Joe Morgan or John Miller say "I bet there missing Manny now" when the game is on the line, I am smacking them.