Hi All,

Here's part of a MLB.com article about what may happen during the
post season. I've posted the part regarding Manny and added the link
to the rest of the article below.

Take care,

Lynne

=0=0=0=0=0=0=0=

The empty postseason slate for the Red Sox has granted general manager
Theo Epstein a little extra time to plot what is undoubtedly going to
be a hectic offseason. Epstein and his staff have plenty of issues on
their plate in their quest to wash away the disappointment of 2006.
Here are some hot-button topics that will be dealt with on Yawkey Way.

Figure out Manny
If recent reports are true, and Manny Ramirez once again wants to be
traded, the Red Sox should tackle this issue right out of the gate.
With just two years remaining on Ramirez's lucrative contract, perhaps
the Red Sox will finally be able to find some value for their star
slugger. The Angels and Mets are teams to keep an eye on in the
Ramirez sweepstakes. Also, don't count out the Phillies. Who could
protect Ryan Howard better than Ramirez?

It's unlikely that the Sox can replace Ramirez with one hitter, but
perhaps they can spread it out by adding a few quality bats.

Why trade Ramirez? There is resentment in at least some corners of the
clubhouse that Ramirez didn't play through the patella tendinitis in
his right knee late in the season. Sure the Red Sox were longshots to
make the postseason throughout September, but that didn't stop Tim
Wakefield, Jason Varitek, Trot Nixon, Mark Loretta, Kevin Youkilis,
Curt Schilling and various others from playing in pain. And if Ramirez
truly wants out and isn't granted his wish, it could become an
unwelcome distraction for the team.

If the Red Sox deal Ramirez, they might be more apt to go after a
high-profile center fielder and move Coco Crisp to left field, where
he is more comfortable. Once the Red Sox resolve the Ramirez issue,
one way or another, the rest of their offseason plan should become
clearer.

Source: Ian Browne / MLB.com

Link to the rest of the article:
http://boston.redsox.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20061005&content_id\
=1700613&vkey=news_bos&fext=.jsp&c_id=bos