FORT MYERS - Forget about whether or not Manny Ramirez [stats] arrived
early or late for spring training.

Now, he never wants to leave.

Ramirez' agent yesterday said the slugger wants to stay with the Red
Sox [team stats] for the remainder of his playing career.

"Manny is at peace with his situation in Boston," said Gene Mato, one
of Ramirez' representatives, yesterday. "He has indicated to me that
he would look forward to the opportunity to retire in a Boston uniform."

Ramirez' moods and mind have been known to flip-flop before, and his
relationship with the Red Sox has sustained more than its fair share
of peaks and valleys, especially around trading deadlines or entire
offseasons, when either the club or player has pursued a divorce.
Still, the declaration by Mato represents a somewhat startling
turnabout for one of the top right-handed hitters of the last decade
and a fixture in the heart of the batting order.

The eight-year, $160 million contract that Ramirez, who will turn 35
on May 30, signed with the Red Sox as a free agent before the 2001
season contains two option years (2009 and '10) worth $20 million
apiece. Ramirez also has the right to veto any potential trades.

Given the ballooning spiral of salaries that commenced this past
offseason - Alfonso Soriano signed an eight-year deal with the Cubs
worth an average of $17 million a year - Ramirez' salary in those
option years could well represent a bargain were the left fielder's
production to remain consistent.

Mato would not address the issue of whether or not the Red Sox were
aware of Ramirez' feelings or if talks on picking up the option years
have even begun. Sox general manager Theo Epstein declined to comment.

Reliever Julian Tavarez, Ramirez' best friend on the team, was asked
if Ramirez wanted to stay with the Sox and have his option years
picked up.

"Would you like Jennifer Lopez to give you a kiss? Of course Manny
wants his option picked up," Tavarez said. "I'm telling you that, he
does want to stay here, he does want his option years to be picked up.
If they're going to give you 40 million, you're going to think about
it? No."

Yesterday marked Day 2 of spring training for Ramirez, who arrived a
week later than other position players. He was not technically late,
and he in fact arrived earlier than the Tavarez-announced expected
date of March 1.

Ramirez, who has not spoken with the media, appears to be in excellent
shape, focused on his workouts and his usual jolly self with teammates.

An episode yesterday reflects Ramirez' newfound sense of contentment.

According to a photographer on the scene, team president and CEO Larry
Lucchino approached Ramirez behind the batting cage on Field No. 5 at
the minor league complex and inquired about the health of his mother,
who is currently recovering from surgery. Ramirez put his arm around
Lucchino and guided him a few steps away from the cage, where he
expressed contrition for the "trouble" he caused by arriving one week
after the rest of the position players.

Lucchino declined to comment on the details of the conversation,
saying, "We had a pleasant, cordial conversation but I will have no
comment at this point on its content."

Source: Michael Silverman / bostonherald.com