Baseball: Red Sox put Manny Ramirez on Waivers!!!!!

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 US 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.

Ramirez hit .325 this year, one point behind teammate Bill Mueller for the AL batting title, and had 37 homers and 104 RBIs. 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 demeanour 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.

looks like noone claimed him. I still think hes going to be traded eventually though

Well the Red Sox will probably have to take on part of that contract, whoever gets him in a trade.

Yeah but who is going to take him on the wages he is on..Yankees???

That's what the Red Sox were probably thinking, hoping.

Anybody know how this is coming along?

I haven't heard anything lately, Ben.

This situation has been quiet lately.

Nothing at all,looks like he may stay put..But they may let him go and split the wages with another team??

Originally posted by TRD:

But they may let him go and split the wages with another team??

Yeah that's probably what's going to happen.