Meanwhile, the usual suspects, Texas and Anaheim, appeared improbable destinations for Ramírez, who as a 10-5 player (10 years in the majors, 5 years with the same team) can veto any deal. The Sox are all but conceding that they cannot wrest shortstop Michael Young from the Rangers, while the Angels, who last week signed center fielder Gary Matthews Jr. to a five-year, $50 million deal, have no interest in moving setup man Scot Shields, and with Garret Anderson, Vladi Guerrero, and Juan Rivera to share the corner outfield spots and DH, have little motivation to surrender top prospects for Ramírez, who will turn 35 next May 30.
Other teams mentioned as potential trading partners include the Phillies, who were shut out in their pursuit of Alfonso Soriano; the Orioles, who were among the also-rans for Carlos Lee; and the Mets, who even after signing a left fielder, Moises Alou, could conceivably offer their other corner outfielder, Shawn Green, as well as top outfield prospect Lastings Milledge, should general manager Omar Minaya's enthusiasm for Ramírez be rekindled.
The Padres, of course, have been a regular trading partner for Boston general manager Theo Epstein, who was once a protégé and top aide to San Diego GM Kevin Towers. The two names that instantly spring to mind in a potential Sox-Padres deal are starting pitcher Jake Peavy, San Diego's ace who had a disappointing 2006 season (11-14, 4.09), and Scott Linebrink, who had a league-leading 36 holds as Trevor Hoffman's primary setup man.
But there are compelling reasons why San Diego may not wind up as the destination for Ramírez.
"Sandy Alderson is not going to spend $20 million a year on Manny Ramírez," said one National League executive, referring to the Padres' CEO who built a tight-fisted reputation when he was building champions in Oakland. "That goes against everything he preaches."
