The archrival New York Yankees quickly rejected the opportunity, according to an industry source, leaving only a tiny number of teams, including the New York Mets and Baltimore Orioles, wealthy enough to consider bankrolling the balance of Ramirez's eight-year, $160 million contract. But there were no immediate takers, which raised the possibility the Sox would be left to try to trade the former American League batting champion on the condition they assume much of the remainder of his contract. Otherwise, the Sox would be left to retain Ramirez or release him outright and continue paying his full salary.
"He'll be just fine if he's back in Boston next season," said Jeff Moorad, Ramirez's agent. "He always expressed a desire to play for the Yankees, and in a strange twist of fate, the Red Sox certainly gave him an opportunity to make that happen, although it seems unlikely to me it will.
The waiver move was precipitated both by Ramirez's desire to play elsewhere, preferably in the Bronx, and the team's hope of using the savings from his exorbitant salary to invest in a front-line pitcher and help underwrite possible contract extensions for stars such as Nomar Garciaparra. The top free agent pitchers on the market, including Andy Pettitte, Bartolo Colon, and Kevin Millwood, could command at least $12 million a year.
"Manny is a great player, but if he doesn't want to pull on the same rope as the rest of his teammates, then, you know what, he can go somewhere where he can be happy," said first baseman Kevin Millar. "We continually hear he's not happy in Boston."
