''A reason for optimism is accurate," Hoyer said in a media briefing late yesterday afternoon. ''But no one has stepped up to the level we want."
It may be just a matter of time. One source involved in negotiations with the Red Sox confirmed that there is substance to the rumor that the Sox are working on a three-way deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks and Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim in which the Sox would ship Ramírez to the Angels, the Angels would send prospects to the Diamondbacks, and the Sox would receive a package of players that includes power-hitting infielder Troy Glaus. Those talks, the source emphasized, remain in the preliminary stage, but he expressed hope that a deal could be done by the end of the meetings.
Many clubs have expressed a reluctance to deal for Ramírez unless the Red Sox are willing to absorb a portion of the $57 million owed him over the next three years. Sox owner John W. Henry has in the past expressed a reluctance to do so, and Lajoie echoed opposition to that idea yesterday, but the source said that when the Sox were exploring a deal for Ramírez at last July's trading deadline, they were willing to pick up $3 million a year -- a total of $9 million -- on the contract.
Sox officials, who said they met with eight teams yesterday and had more meetings scheduled last night, said a sixth team had expressed more than a passing interest in Ramírez.
The Mets also are believed to be a serious contender for his services, though their GM, Omar Minaya, told New York reporters yesterday that he didn't expect to make another major roster move. Minaya has already made a serious of dramatic moves to revamp the Mets, adding first baseman Carlos Delgado, closer Billy Wagner, and catcher Paul Lo Duca.
But the source with knowledge of the Ramírez talks said he believed the Mets were still a contender. Asked his thoughts, Lajoie said: ''That would be too close to tipping our hand."
