[simple simon]

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.

"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.

ESPN.com - MLB - Red Sox's efforts to deal Manny picking up steam

[MVB]

According to the ESPN article, the Rangers, Padres, Dodgers, and Giants are the most interested teams. Interesting, if you look at the rosters of those teams, you'll find no superstars. The Rangers have Teixeira, but he had a very mediocre season last year. The Dodgers have Garciaparra, but he's signed down for three years. The Giants have Bond, but heck, Manny for Bonds? Really? The Sox are not gonna get equal value for Manny, no matter who they get to replace him.

I still don't think the Boston front office is this stupid- I just can't see any logic in a move like this.

[EmpireWF]

Bad move if Ramirez gets dealt...Ortiz will have no production.

I could see the Dodgers trading some of their top prospects.

[legend]

As a Yankee fan I am crossing my fingers that they make a deal involving Manny.

[Lefty Noob]

Giants are the team I keep hearing as the frontrunner, which sure would be an interesting move. Replacing one tempremental star with another. But hey, Manny's more productive. I think he'd be a good fit for San Fran. The thing I HAVEN'T heard is what it would cost the Giants to get him.

[soriano33]

The only thing I have heard is that Manny has a no trade clause and he will use it if he is dealt to the National League, which makes some of the deals nullified. For the pinstripes sake I am hoping to the baseball gods he is removed from Boston. Then we will see the true talent of "Big Papi"....go down the drain!

[MVB]

Originally Posted by MLB.com

Though Manny Ramirez trade rumors have become as annual a rite of passage during a Boston winter as snow, the star slugger could indeed be on the move this time.

The Red Sox, according to numerous media outlets, are actively shopping Ramirez and the RBI machine could be property of another organization by the conclusion of the Winter Meetings on Dec. 7, if not sooner.

With the escalation of the market this winter -- Alfonso Soriano just signed an eight-year, $136 million deal with the Cubs and Carlos Lee received six years and $100 million from the Astros -- Ramirez's contract, which has roughly $37 million for the next two years remaining on it, no longer seems quite as daunting for pursuers.
According to The Boston Globe and ESPN.com, the market for Ramirez might wind up as a battle between NL West competitors such as the Giants, Dodgers and Padres.

Things are heating up in Boston... They might as well send Papi over to San Fransisco for Bonds, they'll both have the same production without Manny batting behind them.

[EmpireWF]

Peter Gammons was on ESPN before and said he expects Manny to be dealt by the end of the weekend and he mentioned the Chicago White Sox as a potential suitor.

[EvanAparra]

Originally Posted by MVB

Things are heating up in Boston... They might as well send Papi over to San Fransisco for Bonds, they'll both have the same production without Manny batting behind them.

Right, except that Papi was just as productive when he was batting behind Manny in 04.

[EmpireWF]

It now seems the top two candidates to acquire Manny via trade are the Dodgers and Padres.

The Dodgers have all the prospects in the world to make a deal work. It's rumored that the Pads would be dangling Peavy and Linebrink (as part of a package I think).

I think he'll end up a Dodger.

[MJHMarc]

Can ESPN and Boston create more unneccessary hype?

If he ends up a Dodgers, I will softly cheer...Go Dodgers!