The trade deadline is now officially upon us. There are less than 24 hours left on the clock for MLB teams to make their moves and shuffle their rosters.
Today figures to be busy as always- but especially so for Sox fans, with the rumors swirling around Manny Ramirez. Let this post serve as your open thread to post new rumors, talk about the rumors, and generally go stir crazy waiting for the final bell to sound. Throughout the day, I'll try and update this post with the latest news and rumors. So I have one request: if you post a rumor, please also post a link to where you read it.
Let's hope this year's bounty is a little better than last year's horror show...
4:29 pm - SI
The Red Sox traded Manny Ramirez to the Dodgers late Thursday afternoon, SI.com has learned.
Jason Bay is headed to Boston as part of the deal, SI.com has learned. The Pirates will get four minor leaguers in the three-way trade.
3:49 pm - Fox/Ken Rosenthal
The Rays' pursuit of Pirates outfielder Jason Bay is off "unless a miracle happens," according to a source close to the negotiations.Whether that means the three-way Manny Ramirez blockbuster is back on remains to be seen.
A source with one of the clubs said that the trade was still dead in the minutes leading to Thursday's 4 p.m. ET non-waiver deadline.
3:10 pm - Per MLB.com, Jason Bay is a Ray.
2:50 pm - SI/Jon Heyman
The Los Angels Dodgers have re-entered the Manny Ramirez Sweepstakes, SI.com has learned.The Marlins deal may not be dead. But the Dodgers could become a real player here and knock out Florida at the last minute. According to people familiar with the talks, the Dodgers have offered young outfielder Andre Ethier, but Boston is believed to prefer the ultra-talented Matt Kemp.
It won't be easy to put together a deal with a different team on such short notice. But the Dodgers were talking a few days ago to the Red Sox, before it became apparent that Boston's focus was on the Marlins.
The Red Sox, who appear motivated to trade Ramirez, have spent most of their time on the Marlins over the past 24 hours. But sources say the Dodgers have always remained interested.
Ramirez has approved a trade to go to Florida, Philadelphia, Los Angels [sic] or anywhere else, SI.com has learned. In return for Ramirez signing off on a deal, the acquiring team will agree to drop the two club options for $20-million apiece for 2009 and '10 in his current deal.
2:02 pm - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
There was quite some optimism about an hour ago, quite some pessimism now. Sure sounds on this end as if the Pirates were ready to go, but the Marlins' demands - including the extra cash - blew this out. But this obviously will take a while to flesh out. Still have not heard anyone say it is outright dead, either.Just spoke to someone in Tampa, and the Rays are not necessarily out of this, contrary to much else that is being said.
1:49 pm - FOX Sports/Ken Rosenthal
As of 1:30 p.m. ET, the Manny Ramirez trade was "dead," according to an executive with one of the three teams involved in the discussions.
1:35 pm - ESPN/Jayson Stark
Yet another official with one of these three teams says the Manny-Bay deal is dead. In the aftermath, the teams involved seem unsure of what happened. The Pirates are blaming the Marlins. The Marlins are blaming the Pirates. And the Red Sox aren't too happy with either of them.
1:15 pm - catching up on non-Manny news
ESPN/Jayson Stark
MLB.comThat never-ending Yankees-Red Sox intrigue has found its way to Scott Eyre. Both clubs are in on the Cubs left-hander, who is expected to be moved for a very modest return. But both teams also have him as a back-burner option as they search for more impactful bullpen help.And the Red Sox's first choice, if they don't get John Grabow in the potential Manny Ramirez deal, is believed to be Kansas City's Ron Mahay.
Atlanta Journal-ConstitutionThe Braves feel like they're in good position heading into Thursday's Trade Deadline. More than five teams have shown great interest in Will Ohman and it's believed the Rays, Yankees and Red Sox are among those bidding for his services.
Providence Journal/Sean McAdamThe Braves had trade discussions about [Will] Ohman with at least five teams, including Boston, St. Louis, Tampa Bay, Detroit and the Chicago White Sox.
Their interest in Atlanta's Will Ohman is minimal, since they have questions about Ohman's ability to pitch in a market like Boston.The Sox remain in pursuit of Ohman's former teammate with the Cubs, Scott Eyre. The Cubs have two other lefties -- Neal Cotts and Sean Marshall -- and have some depth from which to deal.
Meanwhile, the Kansas City Royals have proposed a deal that would send Ron Mahay to the Sox in exchange for Brandon Moss. Mahay, who was drafted by the Red Sox as an outfielder, then converted to a pitcher, and has emerged as one of the game's better lefty specialists.
Mahay is in the first year of a two-year, $8-million deal. Mahay's money next year would merely replace the $3 million the Sox are paying Mike Timlin this season. Timlin, 42, is a free agent and is not expected back in 2009.
1:13 pm - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
The Pirates like the prospects, I am told, and no longer are the holdup
12:38 pm - Yahoo/Tim Brown
As the clock ticked past noon Manny Standard Time, the Red Sox official said negotiations to unload Ramirez "have a lot of variables and is very complicated." But a Pirates source sounded more optimistic, saying they are satisfied with their end of the deal, which would send outfielder Jason Bay to the Red Sox. The Pirates, who would get Jeremy Hermida from the Marlins as their centerpiece in the trade, have ceased trade discussions with other teams involving Bay.Another source familiar with the negotiations said at 12:30 ET that, "It's getting closer, but there's still a chance it could fall apart."
12:36 pm - ESPN/Peter Gammons
A source close to the three-way negotiations involving Manny Ramirez says the deal is close to dead. Florida has reportedly asked Boston for a cash outlay beyond the $7 million to cover Ramirez's contract, in addition to two prospects. That essentially would add up to the Red Sox trading Ramirez, $9 million and two prospects for Jason Bay.
12:35 pm - ESPN/Buster Olney via Boston Globe
"If he's not traded by 4 p.m. today, there's a 1 percent chance that he finishes the year with the Red Sox. This has gotten so ugly," said Olney, referencing Ramirez's recent trade demands and lackadiasical play.
12:20 pm - SI/Jon Heyman
Embattled superstar Manny Ramirez has approved a trade to the Marlins, SI.com has learned. While the Red Sox, Marlins and Pirates are still negotiating details of the mega-trade and nothing has been finalized by the teams, one major hurdle has been cleared by Ramirez accepting the deal ahead of time, according to people familiar with the negotiations. The Red Sox approached Ramirez in advance of their negotiations, and got his OK. Ramirez signed off on the paperwork, contingent upon the two $20-million team options for 2009 and '10 being dropped. The move will set the stage for Ramirez to become a free agent this winter, assuming a trade can be completed by the three teams.
12:13 pm - Boston Globe/Gorden Edes chat transcript
This thing is still very fluid. The word is that the teams are still pushing to get this done. It has NOT gotten to commissioner Bud Selig, who has to sign off on the money, contrary to some reports out there, though the commissioner has certainly been kept apprised of what is happening. I'm hearing some pessimism out of the Sox side this a.m., although I remind you as of late yesterday afternoon, I was told there was slim chance of anything big happening. So that's where we stand.
11:45 am - Boston Globe/Nick Cafardo
One major league source indicated he felt the deal was slightly hung up on an extra prospect that Pittsburgh might want to feel as though they're receiving proper return (they're getting Jeremy Hermida and prospects) for left fielder Jason Bay and reliever John Grabow.There are different scenarios for that prospect. There's the possibility that the extra prospect would have to come from Boston, which would be a real problem considering the Red Sox are dealing Manny Ramirez and offering to pay the rest of his salary. (Incredibly, the Florida Marlins might acquire a $20 million superstar and make money on the deal). If that were the case would the Sox require another player (shortstop Jack Wilson?) to go along with Bay and Grabow? There's also the possibility that Florida has to pony up another blue-chipper to make it work.
10:53 am - Pittsburgh Post Gazette/Dejan Kovacevic
Just got off the phone with a couple people -- non-Pirates -- and there seems to be this growing sense that it is the Pirates really dictating this process. There are too many teams and too many moving parts to imagine that they are outright playing one deal off the other, but they probably are as close as they can be to doing exactly that. The Pirates' thinking, according to one, is that they want two high-end types and one or two others, depending which direction they turn. Obviously, giving up Grabow makes for the higher number.
10:45 am - Baseball Prospectus/Will Carroll
As of 10:30 ET this morning, the teams involved in the Manny Ramirez deal have taken a bit of a break. The holdup continues to be sorting out the prospects, specifically which ones the Marlins will get and will give up. The framework, agreed to early last night, has expanded a bit, including John Grabow and, in some iterations, Jack Wilson. The Marlins have switched up on what prospects are available and which aren't. It looks like slugger Mike Stanton is definitely out and that Ryan Tucker is out unless the Marlins get a "plus prospect" such as Justin Masterson in addition to Ramirez. This one could go down to the wire.Regarding the framework sent to the Commissioner's Office, it appears that was not an approval but an "informational" discussion. Manny Ramirez waived his 10-and-5 rights, and both the Red Sox and Marlins inquired as to whether the $7 million that would be transferred would be approved. According to multiple sources, the Commissioner's Office cannot approve or disapprove a deal until that deal is completed, but it will often be involved on a consultative basis, much the same way that it's consulted on free agents, draftees, and arbitration cases.
The Rays remain Plan B with Jason Bay, but they haven't put up the prospects in quality or quantity that the Pirates want in return
9:47 am - ESPN/Jayson Stark
An official of one of these three teams placed the odds of this getting done today at "50-50."Multiple sources have said that outfield prospect Mike Stanton is not in this trade, although Boston asked for him and Pittsburgh has been insisting on a prospect of his caliber, in addition to Jeremy Hermida and other prospects.
Despite reports that left-handed reliever John Grabow would wind up in Boston, indications are that he would actually go to the Marlins if this trade gets done.
8:35 am - Associated Press
Hours after Marlins president David Samson said anything is possible, club owner Jeffrey Loria denied a deal was in place that would send Ramirez to Florida as part of a three-team trade."There's no news, nothing to talk about," Loria said early Thursday.
[A] person with knowledge of the negotiations told The Associated Press early Thursday there was no tentative agreement. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because talks were ongoing, with the trade deadline looming Thursday afternoon.
12:04 am - SI/Jon Heyman
[W]hile there's still some back and forth going on, people involved in the talks are still expressing optimism that the deal will eventually get done.There's still work to be done in the Red Sox-Marlins part of the megadeal, but one swap that's on the table would send young outfielder Jeremy Hermida, power-hitting outfield prospect Mike Stanton and hard-throwing young pitcher Ryan Tucker from Florida to Boston for Ramirez. However, the Marlins are said to be trying to keep the highly-regarded Stanton out of the trade. Josh Willingham was discussed as a replacement for Hermida, but it appears Hermida would be the main player going in the first part of a potential deal.
In the most talked-about three-team scenario, Boston would send one or more of those players acquired from Florida to Pittsburgh for star outfielder Jason Bay, who would be a more palatable replacement for Ramirez than either Hermida or Willingham. Other combinations being discussed are believed include reliever John Grabow or perhaps even shortstop Jack Wilson. But Pittsburgh is said to be still trying to enhance its end of things, and Boston could wind up tying to substitute a different third team other than Pittsburgh.
Though the players haven't absolutely been agreed to, the Red Sox and Marlins felt good enough about things to have relayed their dealings to the commissioner's office, which needs to be aware if more than $1 million will change hands.
While some have suggested the Red Sox will ultimately keep Ramirez because there's no way to replace his likely rest-of-2008 production, it's possible Boston may be at its breaking point. Ramirez just might have enhanced his chances for a deal by failing to hustle out a groundball Tuesday night at Fenway Park, inciting boos from the crowd.
11:27 pm - ESPN/Peter Gammons
As midnight approached Wednesday night on the East Coast, officials from the Marlins and Red Sox said a deal involving Manny Ramirez was not done. Indications from Pittsburgh were that the Pirates were not satisfied with the players they were receiving in exchange for sending Jason Bay to Boston. And in California, Ramirez's agent, Scott Boras, said he had been told nothing, which means nothing has been completed in terms of Ramirez's waving his no-trade rights or in completing paperwork to send to the commissioner's office.So, the complicated three-way deal might go down close to Thursday's 4 p.m. ET deadline. Ramirez wants out, and is willing to go to Florida. The Marlins want him -- and what he means to their pennant chances and pursuit of a new ballpark. The Red Sox clearly are willing to finance Ramirez's exit.
But the value of the young players was a sticking point late into the night, and one Red Sox official said, "This is anything but done."
11:04 pm - Palm Beach Post
The Marlins have reached a tentative agreement to acquire Manny Ramirez from Boston as part of a three-team deal that will send Jeremy Hermida and three Florida prospects to Pittsburgh, an American League source said Wednesday night.Officials with the Marlins and Red Sox did not confirm the deal but the source said a tentative agreement was reached about 10 p.m. Wednesday.
The Marlins will get Ramirez for Hermida, right-hander Ryan Tucker and two other prospects, with those four players being flipped to Pittsburgh for outfielder Jason Bay and left-hander John Grabow.
The Red Sox will send the Marlins enough cash to cover the remainder of Ramirez contract, as well as an unnamed prospect.
Pittsburgh gets Hermida and two prospects - two from Florida and one from Boston. One of the Marlins' prospects is believed to be Tucker.
10:34 pm - ESPN
"The Red Sox don't deserve a player like me," Ramirez said. "During my years here, I've seen how they [the Red Sox] have mistreated other great players when they didn't want them to try to turn the fans against them."The Red Sox did the same with guys like Nomar Garciaparra and Pedro Martinez, and now they do the same with me. Their goal is to paint me as the bad guy," Ramirez added. "I love Boston fans, but the Red Sox don't deserve me. I'm not talking about money. Mental peace has no price, and I don't have peace here."
10:10 pm - ESPN/Peter Gammons
The Manny Ramirez trade conversations are expected to continue into Thursday, according to a source. Because it's a very complicated deal, involving a player who has the right to veto the trade and other parts, it is still unlikely to happen. But the negotiations will go on.
9:05 pm - Baseball Prospectus/Will Carroll
The Commissioner's Office has been informed of a deal involving the Pirates, Red Sox, and Marlins. [...] There's also some formality about Manny Ramirez waiving his 10-and-5 rights, and no-trade clause.[T]he teams, I am told, have not agreed on the specific prospects to be included in the deal. It's expected that in addition to the principals, the Red Sox would get John Grabow and give up two prospects, while the Marlins would get one prospect and give up two. There's still a lot of haggling but my scribbling notes make it look like the structure of the deal is:
- Marlins get Manny Ramirez, one prospect (Red Sox), and cash (likely covering Ramirez's remaining salary)
Pirates get Jeremy Hermida and three prospects (two Marlins, one Red Sox)
Red Sox get Jason Bay and John Grabow
There is still potential for this to fall apart over the prospects, but things appear closer now than ever before.
HT: MLBTradeRumors
on July 30, 2008 10:39 PM
Don't know if the others are coming over here or not, but let me be the first to thank you, TG, for making this thread. I think we're all a little bit freaked out about this right now...