Posted By:
John Kalafarski Hey Ted, Let me answer your question about Manny and the Red Sox.
To make a long soap opera short. Starting in 2009, the club had a two year option that they could pick up Manny for $20 million (each year) should they so choose. Manny signed this contract, agreeing to the 2 year club option (in part) so he could crow about having signed a $20 million contract. At this year's All Star Game, A-Rod was asking Manny how could he be so dumb to allow the Sox to control the situation. Manny then decides to opt out in his own special way: refusing to play against Joba and the Yanks claiming his knee hurt, watching 3 Mariano strikes go by without taking his bat off his shoulder in a key spot, running to first a la Ernie Lombardi, telling his team that he'll see them in Kansas City when there were another 7 games to go until KC. . .etc. So the Sox trade him. Manny's agent (non other than) Scott Boras informs the Sox that Manny will behave (and try!) if the Sox agreed to not pick up his option and allow him to test the free agent waters (cliche, sorry). The Sox say, "No Thanks!" To close, I can't believe the Sox got someone like Jason Bay in return. Pirate fans feel free to weigh in.