Red Sox place All-Star Ramirez on irrevocable waivers
Oct. 30, 2003
SportsLine.com wire reports
BOSTON -- All-Star slugger Manny Ramirez was placed on irrevocable waivers by the Boston Red Sox, who hope another team will take on the remaining five years of his huge contract.
The move was confirmed Thursday by a top baseball executive who spoke to the Associated Press on the condition of anonymity.
The outfielder has five years and $101.5 million remaining on a $160 million, eight-year contract, and would get an extra $1 million if he switches teams. He is scheduled to make $20.5 million next season.
If he does leave the Red Sox, it would slash Boston's payroll and dramatically reshape a team that came within five outs of an AL pennant.
Red Sox spokesman Kevin Shea said Thursday the team is not permitted to comment on waiver moves.
"The question as to whether a player is on waivers or not on waivers is confidential," Shea said. "We can't discuss it."
A message left for Ramirez's agent, Jeff Moorad, was not immediately returned Thursday.
Ramirez hit .325 this year, one point behind teammate Bill Mueller for the AL batting title, and had 37 homers and 104 RBI. The Red Sox won the wild card and advanced to AL Championship Series before losing to the New York Yankees in seven games.
The left fielder was placed on waivers Wednesday, the source said, two days after Boston announced it would not bring back manager Grady Little, who led the team to 188 regular-season wins the past two years.
Ramirez, 30, is one of baseball's best hitters, but is average, at best, in the outfield and is known for base-running lapses. Over his career, Ramirez's casual on-field demeanor has attracted critics who view him as absent-minded and apathetic.
Manny Ramirez is still due $101.5 million over the next five years.(AP)
He was benched by Little late this season after he missed a crucial series against the Yankees with a sore throat and fever, yet managed to pull himself out of bed to get together with New York infielder Enrique Wilson at a hotel to reminisce about their days in Cleveland.
Then Ramirez didn't show up for an appointment with the team doctor, and when he joined the club the next day he sat on the bench but said he was "too weak" to pinch-hit.
And in a game at Yankee Stadium in September, Ramirez tossed the ball into the stands after making a nice catch, thinking there were three outs when there were only two.
If no team claims Ramirez by the 1 p.m. ET deadline Friday, he will remain with the Red Sox.
Ramirez was signed as a free agent by former Boston general manager Dan Duquette in December 2000. Ramirez is scheduled to earn $20 million in 2005, $19 million in 2006, $18 million in 2007 and $20 million in 2008.
He also is due $4 million a year in deferred, no-interest salary from 2004-10, and he's still owed $10 million of his $16 million signing bonus.
Ramirez's club options for 2009 and 2010 are each worth $20 million.
AP NEWS
The Associated Press News Service
Oct. 30, 2003
SportsLine.com wire reports
BOSTON -- All-Star slugger Manny Ramirez was placed on irrevocable waivers by the Boston Red Sox, who hope another team will take on the remaining five years of his huge contract.
The move was confirmed Thursday by a top baseball executive who spoke to the Associated Press on the condition of anonymity.
The outfielder has five years and $101.5 million remaining on a $160 million, eight-year contract, and would get an extra $1 million if he switches teams. He is scheduled to make $20.5 million next season.
If he does leave the Red Sox, it would slash Boston's payroll and dramatically reshape a team that came within five outs of an AL pennant.
Red Sox spokesman Kevin Shea said Thursday the team is not permitted to comment on waiver moves.
"The question as to whether a player is on waivers or not on waivers is confidential," Shea said. "We can't discuss it."
A message left for Ramirez's agent, Jeff Moorad, was not immediately returned Thursday.
Ramirez hit .325 this year, one point behind teammate Bill Mueller for the AL batting title, and had 37 homers and 104 RBI. The Red Sox won the wild card and advanced to AL Championship Series before losing to the New York Yankees in seven games.
The left fielder was placed on waivers Wednesday, the source said, two days after Boston announced it would not bring back manager Grady Little, who led the team to 188 regular-season wins the past two years.
Ramirez, 30, is one of baseball's best hitters, but is average, at best, in the outfield and is known for base-running lapses. Over his career, Ramirez's casual on-field demeanor has attracted critics who view him as absent-minded and apathetic.
He was benched by Little late this season after he missed a crucial series against the Yankees with a sore throat and fever, yet managed to pull himself out of bed to get together with New York infielder Enrique Wilson at a hotel to reminisce about their days in Cleveland.
Then Ramirez didn't show up for an appointment with the team doctor, and when he joined the club the next day he sat on the bench but said he was "too weak" to pinch-hit.
And in a game at Yankee Stadium in September, Ramirez tossed the ball into the stands after making a nice catch, thinking there were three outs when there were only two.
If no team claims Ramirez by the 1 p.m. ET deadline Friday, he will remain with the Red Sox.
Ramirez was signed as a free agent by former Boston general manager Dan Duquette in December 2000. Ramirez is scheduled to earn $20 million in 2005, $19 million in 2006, $18 million in 2007 and $20 million in 2008.
He also is due $4 million a year in deferred, no-interest salary from 2004-10, and he's still owed $10 million of his $16 million signing bonus.
Ramirez's club options for 2009 and 2010 are each worth $20 million.
AP NEWS
The Associated Press News Service
