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Nov 30, 2006 8:51 am US/Eastern
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Schilling Says Manny Ramirez Wants To Be Traded
BOSTON (CBS4) ―
There have been all sorts of rumors and reports in the last week that the Red Sox are pushing hard to trade Manny Ramirez.
Ramirez has never said in public that he wants to be traded. But Wednesday night at an event in Warwick, Rhode Island, Red Sox pitcher Curt Schilling confirmed the rumors - he said Manny wants out of Boston.
"I think Manny is less than comfortable playing in Boston for whatever reason, that's his right. I think it's gotten to the point now where there's some thought that even though Manny might stay, he might not be here if he does. And I think the belief is that trading Manny and bringing somebody in would be more valuable than having a Manny here that didn't play. I don't know that to be a fact. That is pure speculation on my part" Schilling said.
"I live with the guys, I have some insight. I don't know for sure. I do know that I've spoken with Manny. Manny does want to be traded. Manny wants to play somewhere else."
Ramirez, 34, has hit .316 with 234 homers and 712 RBIs in six seasons with Boston and has served as protection in the cleanup spot for No. 3 hitter David Ortiz. But Ramirez has a quirky personality and was absent from the lineup late in the season with tendonitis in his right knee.
He started only nine games in the last six weeks and his 130 games were the third-fewest in his last 12 seasons. Still he finished with 35 homers, 102 RBIs and a .321 batting average.
After the 2003 season, the Red Sox placed Ramirez on waivers in an effort to relieve themselves of his expensive contract. In 2005, Ramirez sat out the last two games before the July 31 trade deadline while the team explored possible deals. The Red Sox held trade discussions about him before last season.
Ramirez is due $18 million next season and $20 million in 2008. That price might no longer keep a team from trading for him now that other outfielders have signed big-money deals -- Carlos Lee with Houston for $100 million over six years and Alfonso Soriano with the Chicago Cubs for $136 million over eight years.
Ramirez's deal contains $20 million club options for 2009 and 2010.
(© 2006 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)