NateGrey

.. Daisuke arrives http://cache.boston.com/bonzai-fba/AP_Photo/2007/02/13/1171392256_4887.jpg Red Sox pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka pulled into the Red Sox spring training facilities minute past noon on Tuesday. http://cache.boston.com/bonzai-fba/AP_Photo/2007/02/13/1171392127_0858.jpg Matsuzaka arrived at the Red Sox minor league complex to work out Tuesday. .. Is that a Asahi “Super” Dry beer belly? .. ..

.. http://cache.boston.com/bonzai-fba/AP_Photo/2007/02/12/1171320101_6281.jpg Josh Beckett (in foreground) practiced in Fort Myers today before the official start of spring training. Pitchers and catchers officially report Friday, Feb. 16. http://cache.boston.com/bonzai-fba/Globe_Photo/2007/02/12/1171303365_5091.jpg Red Sox pitcher Jon Lester threw at the minor league complex in Fort Myers, Fla. on Monday before the official start of spring training. The reporting date for pitcher and catchers is Friday. http://cache.boston.com/bonzai-fba/Globe_Photo/2007/02/12/1171303436_3362.jpg Red Sox pitcher Jonathan Papelbon threw in the rain in Fort Myers. http://cache.boston.com/bonzai-fba/Globe_Photo/2007/02/12/1171303539_5410.jpg Boston Red Sox pitcher Jon Lester (center) wearing a T-shirt that reads " It's a strong man's game, " talked with assistant trainer Mike Reinhold (left) during a workout. http://cache.boston.com/bonzai-fba/Globe_Photo/2007/02/12/1171303621_3656.jpg Red Sox pitcher Josh Beckett got some throws in Monday. ..... > http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/ ..... .. :thumbsup: ..

.. http://media.scout.com/Media/NFL/92104_Marty_Schottenheimer.JPG 6:17 p.m. February 12, 2007 "Today I made an extremely difficult decision: Marty Schottenheimer is no longer the head coach of the San Diego Chargers. "This decision was so hard because Marty has been both a friend and valued coach of our team. But my first obligation is always to do what is in the best interest of our fans and the entire Charger organization. I must take whatever steps are necessary to deliver a Super Bowl trophy to San Diego. Events of the last month have now convinced me that it is not possible for our organization to function at a championship level under the current structure. On the contrary, and in the plainest possible language, we have a dysfunctional situation here. Today I am resolving that situation once and for all. "My decision means that our organization will be obligated to pay the last year of Marty Schottenheimer's contract and will begin an intense search for a new head coach at this relatively late date, but these are sacrifices that I believe are necessary to give the Chargers the best possible chance to win on the field this season. "Our fans deserve to know what changed for me over the last month. When I decided to move ahead with Marty Schottenheimer in mid-January, I did so with the expectation that the core of his fine coaching staff would remain intact. Unfortunately, that did not prove to be the case, and the process of dealing with these coaching changes convinced me that we simply could not move forward with such dysfunction between our head coach and general manager. In short, this entire process over the last month convinced me beyond any doubt that I had to act to change this untenable situation and create an environment where everyone at Charger Park would be pulling in the same direction and working at a championship level. I expect exactly that from our entire Charger organization in 2007." ..... > http://www.signonsandiego.com/sports/chargers/20070212-1816-statement.html ..... .. :dunno: ..

.. Seems like Romero wants to battle it out with Pinero for the CL role .. .. http://espndeportes.espn.go.com/news/story?id=526022&s=bei&type=story ..

.. Via Soxprospects ..

..Dennis Neuman = http://www.littleleague.org/series/2002divisions/llbb/teams/caribbean/Dennisneuman.htm ? ..

.. According to Olney ..... > http://proxy.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2745139

.. (Via WEEI ) According to Buster Olney the Sox & the Rox came to an agreement on the money ..

.. Even if I edited KJ out to add Clement IMO Lowell , Murphy , Kyle Jackson & Pauley would get it done .. IT'S A SALARY DUMP DUDE .. .. Exp; The Abreu deal ..

.. Lowell , Murphy , Clement & Pauley would get it done ..

.. Like I said .. Bogus face-guarding call = 8pts Non-call against Caldwell = 7pts .. Good luck in the SB ..

http://www.crwflags.com/art/pins/sports/nfl/nfl.jpg In response to an item in our Conference Championship Ten-Pack regarding a key pass interference call on Patriots cornerback Ellis Hobbs that allowed the Colts to complete an 18-point comeback and knot the game at 21, a member of PFT Planet has alerted us to a January 25, 2007 "Q&A" on Jaguars.com in which Vic Ketchman writes that the NFL has acknowledged that a bad call was made. Writes Ketchman, in response to a question that chastised him for suggesting that face-guarding is still forbidden: "Face-guarding was discontinued several years ago and I completely missed it. I talked to Dean Blandino in the league office and he confirmed what you're saying. Blandino, by the way, was in the replay booth at the Patriots-Colts game. Ellis Hobbs should not have been flagged for pass-interference. He didn't make contact with the receiver and in no way did Hobbs impede Reggie Wayne's ability to catch the pass. Blandino confirmed that the incorrect call was made. It advanced the ball from the Patriots' 19-yard line to the one-yard line and was the big play in a touchdown drive that led to a two-point conversion and a tie game at 21-21. Referee Bill Carollo made no reference to face-guarding in his explanation, but CBS analyst Phil Simms did. Apparently, he, too, doesn't know the rule no longer exists. The next time you hear a TV analyst say, 'he wasn’t playing the ball,' think of the Hobbs play, then turn down the sound." Make no mistake about it, it was a key call. And, to their credit, we haven't heard a public peep from the "no class" Pats about the play. Gee, what would Napolian have done if that phantom flag had been thrown on a member of the Colts' defense? ..................... Bogus face-guarding call = 8pts Non- call against Caldwell = 7pts Pats got robbed .

Or they can take Robert Meachem, Sidney Rice, Dwayne Bowe or Paul Williams in a later round .

Jet fan?

.. ESPN Insider NFL Mock Draft .. http://media.scout.com/Media/Image/25/252187.jpg 1. Oakland Raiders (2-14) Projected pick: +JaMarcus Russell, QB, LSU Russell vs. Brady Quinn? Let the great debate begin. Most teams have Quinn ahead of Russell, but Raiders owner Al Davis could fall in love with Russell's size and deep arm. 2. Detroit (3-13) Projected pick: Brady Quinn, QB, Notre Dame The Lions will be stoked if Quinn falls to them at No. 2. Wouldn't it be great, though, if Matt Millen takes another wide receiver (Calvin Johnson) with this pick? 3t. x-Cleveland (4-12) Projected pick: +Alan Branch, DT, Michigan The Browns want Russell with this pick, but they'll settle for a 330-pound playmaker to help solidify Romeo Crennel's three-man defensive front. 3t. x-Tampa Bay (4-12) Projected pick: +Calvin Johnson, WR, Georgia Tech The Bucs have other more pressing needs, but coach Jon Gruden can't pass on the draft's most dynamic offensive weapon. 5. Arizona (5-11) Projected pick: Joe Thomas, OT, Wisconsin As usual, the Cardinals are a prime candidate to trade down. They should get lots of bidders if Thomas -- the only elite offensive lineman in this class -- is still available. 6. Washington (5-11) Projected pick: Gaines Adams, DE, Clemson Adams is a no-brainer for a Redskins defense that set a team record for the fewest sacks in a season (19) in 2006. 7. Minnesota (6-10) Projected pick: +Jamaal Anderson, DE, Arkansas It's hard to believe the Vikings still need defensive end help, but Erasmus James suffered a season-ending injury in the opener and Kenechi Udeze failed to notch a sack. Anderson is the complete package physically and he should capitalize on 13.5 sacks as a junior in 2006. 8. Houston (6-10) Projected pick: +Adrian Peterson, RB, Oklahoma Peterson is expected to make his decision to bolt for the NFL in the next few days. Drafting Peterson here would help to overshadow the Texans' colossal mistake of passing on Reggie Bush with the top overall pick last year. 9. Miami (6-10) Projected pick: Leon Hall, CB, Michigan The Dolphins could consider QB Brian Brohm with this pick, but they also could go the free-agency route in order to get short-term relief. Hall would be a good value here and would help upgrade a patchwork secondary. 10. Atlanta (7-9) Projected pick: LaRon Landry, S, LSU Landry is a ball-hawk free safety who would instantly upgrade the athleticism of the Falcons secondary. 11. San Francisco (7-9) Projected pick: +Glenn Dorsey, DT, LSU Dorsey might not fall this far, but the 49ers certainly wouldn't protest such a scenario. Dorsey is a disruptive force as a one-gap penetrating interior lineman. 12. Buffalo (7-9) Amobi Okoye, DT, Louisville Projected pick: The Bills have more pressing needs, including cornerback and middle linebacker. However, Okoye is a fast-rising 19-year-old with great potential. 13. St. Louis (8-8) Projected pick: Adam Carriker, DE, Nebraska Carriker, a quick and powerful 290-pound defensive end, could be a good complement opposite DE Leonard Little. 14. Carolina (8-8) Projected pick: +Brian Brohm, QB, Louisville The Panthers need help at middle linebacker, left tackle, safety and tight end, but it also might be time to address life after QB Jake Delhomme. If Brohm elects to leave school early, he should be taken somewhere between picks No. 10 and 20. 15. Pittsburgh (8-8) Projected pick: Quentin Moses, DE/OLB, Georgia Moses' stock is dropping after a subpar senior year, but it will spike once he works out at the combine next month. 16. Green Bay (8-8) Projected pick: +Marshawn Lynch, RB, Cal QB Brett Favre could help maximize Lynch's explosiveness and versatility if they're working in the same backfield in 2007. 17. Jacksonville (8-8) Projected pick: +Ted Ginn Jr., WR/RS, Ohio State Ginn Jr. has a tough decision to make after injuring his ankle in the first quarter of the BCS title game. Assuming he turns pro, the Jaguars could use his speed. Despite spending first-round picks on the position in 2004 (Reggie Williams) and 2005 (Matt Jones), no Jaguar finished in the NFL's top 50 in catches. 18. Cincinnati (8-8) Projected pick: Tank Tyler, DT, N.C. State Tyler had a monster season as a senior, and his combination of power and quickness would help upgrade the Bengals' ailing defensive front. 19. Tennessee (8-8) Projected pick: +Dwayne Jarrett, WR, USC Jarrett is a dynamic playmaker with extraordinary hand-eye coordination, but he might not run well enough to land a spot in the top 15. However, the former Trojans receiver could make quite a team with the former Longhorns quarterback (Vince Young) in Tennessee. 20. N.Y. Giants (8-8) Projected pick: +Darrell Revis, CB, Pittsburgh The Giants must upgrade their cover-corner situation, and Revis displays the athleticism and ball skills to fit their needs. Revis will compete for the second cornerback taken behind Hall in this year's class. 21. Denver (9-7) Projected pick: Daymeion Hughes, CB, Cal The tragic passing of Darrent Williams will force the Broncos to re-evaluate their personnel needs this offseason. 22. Dallas (9-7) Projected pick: +Reggie Nelson, S, Florida Nelson, a speedy center fielder with excellent ball skills, would provide an ideal complement next to hard-hitting S Roy Williams. 23. Kansas City (9-7) Projected pick: +Sidney Rice, WR, South Carolina Rice's draft stock could fluctuate greatly depending on his postseason workouts. Assuming he grades out as a late first-round prospect, the Chiefs would welcome his pass-catching services on the perimeter. 24. y-New England (from Seattle) Projected pick: +Jarvis Moss, DE/OLB, Florida Moss is an undersized pass-rushing end who would fit well as an outside linebacker in the Patriots' 3-4 defensive scheme. Plus, Bill Belichick obviously has a thing for Gators players. 25. y-N.Y. Jets (10-6) Projected pick: Kenny Irons, RB, Auburn Irons' draft stock is plummeting after a disappointing senior campaign. However, don't be surprised if he works his way back into the first round by running well and checking out physically at next month's combine. The Jets might be desperate enough to take a gamble. 26. y-New Orleans (10-6) Projected pick: Marcus McCauley, CB, Fresno State The Saints need lots of help on defense, and selecting McCauley would be a step in the right direction. McCauley is raw but he's also a 6-foot-1 cornerback with 4.3-second speed in the 40-yard dash. 27. y-Philadelphia (10-6) Projected pick: +Lawrence Timmons, OLB, Florida State Timmons is unpolished, but he's a big hitter with great speed for his size. 28. y-New England (12-4) Projected pick: Jeff Samardzija, WR, Notre Dame Samardzija could easily slip out of the first round due to his desire to play both baseball (Cubs) and football professionally. The Patriots should be "in the know" thanks to their old buddy Charlie Weis. 29. y-Indianapolis (12-4) Projected pick: Patrick Willis, ILB, Ole Miss The Colts' run defense was abysmal during the regular season, so drafting a one-man wrecking crew like Willis makes a lot of sense with this pick. Willis notched 265 tackles during his final three seasons at Ole Miss. 30. y-Chicago (13-3) Projected pick: Levi Brown, OT, Penn State Brown could slip after a disappointing senior season, but it's still tough to find a tackle with his combination of size and agility. 31. y-Baltimore (13-3) Projected pick: LaMarr Woodley, DE/OLB, Michigan The Ravens could use a youth influx at linebacker, and Woodley would be a good fit thanks to his experience playing in a similar hybrid 3-4/4-3 defensive scheme at Michigan. 32. y-San Diego (14-2) Projected pick: Dwayne Bowe, WR, LSU A young weapon like Bowe at wide receiver could take an already-potent Chargers offense to the next level. ..... .. http://www.invision.smileyville.net/smilies/sprt%20(15).gif ..

.. The Associated Press confirms that Joel Pineiro and the Red Sox have agreed to a one-year, $4 million contract. The $2 million in bonuses are based on games finished, which illustrates exactly how Pineiro is hoping to be used. An undisclosed player option is also included, which could make it a worse deal for Boston. Pineiro showed potential as a reliever last year and might find his niche if he's allowed to concentrate on throwing one inning a night. Still, this is quite a bit to pay for a guy who could do just about anything. ..

.. Rotoworld: .....

Wonder if we can get Mike Gonzalez for Hinske & 2 prospects(?) .

... Red Sox selected RHP Nick DeBarr from the Devil Rays in the Rule 5 draft. DeBarr, 23, finsihed with a 2.74 ERA and a 61/17 K/BB ratio in 69 innings for Single-A Visalia last season. There isn't nearly enough upside here to make him worthy of a spot in Boston's bullpen. .....

.. There are a few success stories in the history of the Rule 5 Draft (i.e. Roberto Clemente, Johan Santana and Dan Uggla). However, the annual preseason draft is more for roster-fillers than anything else. Look for this to become even more true in the future as a change in the latest Collective Bargaining Agreement now allows for one more year of minor-league protection before players become eligible. This makes the 2006 crop one of the worst in recent memory. In other words, don't expect any Rookie of the Year candidates this time around. The rules of the draft are simple: For $50,000, a team can draft an eligible player's rights away from a club that leaves the player unprotected. The player then must last the entire season on the major-league roster of his new organization or be offered back to his original club for $25,000. Most players drafted don't make it out of spring training, far fewer last the entire season. It appears most contending teams will pass on making any selections in Thursday's Rule 5 Draft. However, rebuilding organizations looking for that 12th pitcher and fifth bench player might find a fit in Orlando. Here are 10 names I would draft on Thursday: Adam Boeve, 26, OF Organization: Pittsburgh Pirates 2006 Class, Stats: AA/AAA, .289/.361/.416 As far as bench players go, the former Northern Iowa outfielder has significant value. Blessed with a big arm, Boeve is a natural right fielder but has logged time in left field and could play center in a pinch. He is a good baserunner, swiping 27 bases on the year at an 80 percent success rate. Boeve can crush left-handed pitching, slugging .552 against southpaws in 230 at-bats the past two seasons. If a team can get over Boeve's long swing and high strikeout rates, they'll see a fourth outfielder worthy of being drafted. Jamie D'Antona, 24, 1B/3B/C Organization: Arizona Diamondbacks 2006 Class, Stats: AA, .310/.382/.484 It took Tyler Houston seven seasons to make the majors, where he parlayed his versatility into an eight-year career. A huge slugger at Wake Forest, D'Antona has hit well at every stop. A poor 2004 slowed D'Antona's development curve, but looking to turn his stock upward, Arizona gave him a chance at catching. D'Antona has only logged 12 games behind the plate (including in the Arizona Fall League), but if a team believes in his bat, they might give him a chance as a versatile pinch-hitter. Victor Garate, 22, LHP Organization: Houston Astros 2006 Class, Stats: SS, 0.92 ERA, 14 H/39.1 IP, 59 K/21 BB If strikeouts were the benchmark by which pitchers were judged, Garate would find himself somewhere on the prospect radar. Garate struggled with a 5.57 ERA in his American debut a year ago; however, he still struck out 53 hitters in 32.1 innings. Garate, still in short-season ball blossomed this season, overcoming control problems to post a sparkling ERA. The negatives surrounding Garate are plentiful: He doesn't have great velocity, lacks control and his 160-pound frame could be pushed over in the wind. However, left-handed hitters have just eight hits in 60 at-bats against him in the past two years, so taking a chance on the next potential Boone Logan story wouldn't hurt. Casey Hoorelbeke, 26, RHP Organization: Los Angeles Dodgers 2006 Class, Stats: AA, 2.63 ERA, 42 H/72 IP, 60 K/30 BB With the price of pitching at an all-time high, a usable player like Hoorelbeke shouldn't through the cracks. Since moving to the bullpen a year ago, Hoorelbeke has posted ERAs below 3.00 the past two seasons. He mixes deception with the ability to keep the ball low and trusts his defense enough to allow plays to happen behind him. The right-hander also has good durability, having proven dependable in two-inning outings. With 170 innings under his belt as a reliever, the 6-foot-8 Hoorelbeke has proven he's found the right role, but he's the most draftable player in this class. Jarod Plummer, 22, RHP Organization: Kansas City Royals 2006 Class, Stats: High-A, 4.05 ERA, 92 H/95.2 IP, 114 K/20 BB No stadium in professional baseball wreaks havoc on pitchers like the home park of the High Desert Mavericks, whose pitching staff annually turns in an ERA above 5.00. At the very least, succeeding in the environment is a plus. Plummer, who was traded to the Royals from the Dodgers for Wilson Valdez in March, posted a remarkable 3.31 ERA at home this season. Plummer is another who has found a home in the bullpen, and he is versatile there, very capable of handling long relief duties. After a dynamite stint in the Hawaiian Winter Baseball league, where he posted a strikeout-to-walk ratio of 34:2 in 23 innings, Plummer looks primed to head to his third organization in nine months. Chad Spann, 23, 3B/1B Organization: Boston Red Sox 2006 Class, Stats: AA, .294/.361/.472 Legitimate offensive potential is a trait few Rule 5 eligibles have this season, but the former fifth-round pick leads the brigade. After showing promise in 2003, Spann's career halted before his big season in Double-A this year. Spann is hardly a gifted defender at third base, but he could stick there though he also added first base to his resume in the Arizona Fall League. His low walk and high strikeout rates are damning, as our Spann's career numbers, but a team with a limited number of corner bats (read: Pittsburgh and Tampa Bay) should give Spann a Grapefruit League trial. Wardell Starling, 23, RHP Organization: Pittsburgh Pirates 2006 Class, Stats: A+/AA, 2.98 ERA, 134 H/160.1 IP, 87 K/44 BB A blue-chip amateur, Starling was high profile as both a hitter and a pitcher out of Houston in 2002. After drafting him in the fourth round, the Pirates kept his mid-90s fastball on the mound, where he had little success early on. This year, Starling found success as a groundball pitcher -- his 1.56 G/F ratio should begin to outweigh concerns about his low number of strikeouts. Those that don't believe in Starling's potential as a starter still wonder if he might return to his flame-throwing ways, while maintaining sink, in the bullpen. No matter the role, one lacking pitching staff should be able to find room. Pedro Strop, 21, RHP Organization: Colorado Rockies 2006 Class, Stats: Short-Season/Low-A, 3.42 ERA, 19 H/26.1 IP, 35 K/7 BB A shortstop prior to 2006, Strop was converted to a pitcher after a poor 2005 dropped his career average to .212. Upon moving to the mound, Strop's fastball was hitting the mid-90s. His stuff is as electric as any in this draft; however, he is extremely crude. Strop allowed three home runs in his 11 appearances in full season ball, and despite a decent walk rate, command remains a problem. Strop's breaking ball has had some success, but he hangs the pitch too often, resulting in the home runs. One of the younger players eligible, Strop's ceiling could lend the first overall selection, but his lack of refinement could leave him undrafted. Anthony Webster, 23, OF Organization: Texas Rangers 2006 Class, Stats: AA/AAA, .288/.339/.421 Traded to the Rangers for Carl Everett, Webster has not found a long-term home in Texas. Unfortunately, Webster is in danger of becoming the classic fringe player: not a defensive center fielder, not an offensive corner outfielder. However, Webster could succeed as a left-handed bat off the bench with the occasional stint in center. Offensively, Webster is a gifted contact hitter with enough power to keep the defense honest. He is a threat to steal a base, and plays the outfield corners admirably. The outfield-starved Florida Marlins seem to be a natural fit for Webster. Randy Wells, 24, RHP Organization: Chicago Cubs 2006 Class, Stats: AA/AAA, 3.36 ERA, 132 H/131.1IP, 113 K/36 BB While lacking the stuff of most of the players on this list, Wells could be a replacement-level pitcher in the majors if given an opportunity. After a career at catching failed, Wells has proven to be a durable starter in the minors, but could slide into a middle relief role in the Major Leagues. His best asset is very good control of a 90 mph fastball, as Wells rarely beats himself on the mound. A new organization would have to make strides with Wells' secondary offerings in Spring Training, but potential for a change up and breaking ball is there. .................... > http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2006/baseball/mlb/12/05/rulefive.draft/index.html .................... .. Would suck to lose Spann after the season he had .. :dunno:

I would do Peavy & Kouzmanoff for Manny .

88-91mph fb , ++ curve , +forkball , sinker ... Nice .

.. bogus ..

.. Updated: Nov. 27, 2006, 3:36 PM ET MLB official: Ramirez might be dealt by Saturday By Buster Olney ESPN The Magazine The Red Sox are aggressively shopping outfielder Manny Ramirez now, according to major league sources, at a time when the slugger's trade value has peaked, and there is a sense among some executives that their trade talks are gaining momentum. Manny Ramirez Left Field Boston Red Sox Profile 2006 SEASON STATISTICS GM HR RBI R OBP AVG 130 35 102 79 .439 .321 "I wouldn't be shocked if the Red Sox traded him by Saturday," says one big league official. By Saturday, Boston's negotiations with free agent outfielder J.D. Drew are expected to finish officially with a multiyear agreement. At that point, Boston will be in better position to trade Ramirez, who has driven in more than 100 runs in each of his six years with the Red Sox, and in 11 of the last 12 seasons. Ramirez has been an extraordinary producer of runs for Boston, and an equally extraordinary producer of melodrama. He has asked for trades repeatedly, has often played at something less than full speed, and at the end of the 2006 season, there was some question about whether he made a full effort to play with a sore knee. Among the teams involved in the conversations: ? The San Francisco Giants, who might have to involve a third team to become a serious player in this market, or perhaps swallow some of Boston's worst contracts, like that of pitcher Matt Clement. ? The San Diego Padres, who can build a deal around reliever Scott Linebrink. ? The Dodgers, who are starved for power hitters, loaded with prospects and could probably offer the best possible package of youngsters, from third baseman Andy LaRoche to pitcher Chad Billingsley to outfielder Matt Kemp. ? The Rangers have had talks about Ramirez, but as recently as last week, the Red Sox still preferred to talk about a swap of shortstop Michael Young for Ramirez -- a deal that almost certainly won't happen. The Orioles have spoken with the Red Sox about Ramirez recently, but their conversations hadn't advanced in recent days. The Guardians and Red Sox talked last week, but those conversations are dead; the cost in salary and prospects were simply too high for the Guardians. The Angels and Red Sox had talked in the past about a Manny deal, but those conversations have apparently ended. Ramirez has 10-and-5 rights and can veto any deal, so the team working on a trade involving him would have to negotiate a settlement with Ramirez to get him to accept the swap. Executives with other teams say that in order to move Ramirez, Boston will have to come to grips with the idea that they will not get back major league talent equal to that of Ramirez; rather, they might have to settle for a deal much like the Gary Sheffield trade the Yankees made early in November, when they got three pitching prospects from Detroit. There are indications now that Boston's trade demands for Ramirez are dropping, to facilitate a deal. "They seem motivated to move him," said an AL official. Ramirez signed an eight-year, $160 million deal with Boston after the 2000 season, and his contract was considered all but untradeable as recently as six months ago because of an annual salary that approaches $20 million; the Red Sox placed him on waivers after the 2003 season, and nobody was willing to even take him even for free at that time. But the recent salary explosion -- Alfonso Soriano's $136 million deal, Carlos Lee's $100 million contract -- has cast Ramirez and his salary in a different light. If the Red Sox complete a Ramirez trade, there would be an enormous hole in the Boston lineup. But it may be that the Red Sox have other plans in the works if they gain contractual flexibility with a Ramirez deal, and with the addition of Drew and possible addition of Julio Lugo at shortstop, they might feel like they will still have a deep lineup. A Ramirez trade may also have an enormous impact on No. 3 hitter David Ortiz. "That guy will draw about 200 walks next year without Manny hitting behind him," said one scout. "I don't care who it is who bats fourth instead of Manny -- J.D. Drew, or Wily Mo Pena, whoever -- he won't be as dangerous as Manny was, because Manny can hit good pitching." Buster Olney is a senior writer at ESPN The Magazine. .......... http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2677627 ..........