Buster Olney on Manny

[OldFatGuy]

Wow, that guy just dogged Manny way more than even I. In fact, I've really got to disagree with him.

Sorry, I have no link as I watched this on the ESPN trade deadline special, but he basically said that if the Red Sox DON'T move Manny today, that he will intentionally dog it for the rest of the year.

Now I've been one of the harshest critics of Manny on these boards, but I gotta tell you, if the Sox don't deal him today, I don't see him tanking it for two months. No way. Even he (and his agent) are smart enough to realize this would cost him millions in his next contract.

So, what do you guys think? I mean he really wouldn't out and out dog it for two whole months would he? I've seen him dog it more times than any other ballplayer, but not for two months straight. I dunno, I just don't see this happening. Funny, usually I find the stuff Buster Olney says to be informing. This sounded more like a personal flame than actual enlightening information to me.

EDIT: btw, the Manny to Florida deal is "close to dead" according to a Red Sox source, as mentioned on ESPN's home page by Peter Gammons.

[dickay]

Wow, that guy just dogged Manny way more than even I. In fact, I've really got to disagree with him.

Sorry, I have no link as I watched this on the ESPN trade deadline special, but he basically said that if the Red Sox DON'T move Manny today, that he will intentionally dog it for the rest of the year.

Now I've been one of the harshest critics of Manny on these boards, but I gotta tell you, if the Sox don't deal him today, I don't see him tanking it for two months. No way. Even he (and his agent) are smart enough to realize this would cost him millions in his next contract.

So, what do you guys think? I mean he really wouldn't out and out dog it for two whole months would he? I've seen him dog it more times than any other ballplayer, but not for two months straight. I dunno, I just don't see this happening. Funny, usually I find the stuff Buster Olney says to be informing. This sounded more like a personal flame than actual enlightening information to me.

EDIT: btw, the Manny to Florida deal is "close to dead" according to a Red Sox source, as mentioned on ESPN's home page by Peter Gammons.

Funny how you and I reverse roles here lol. I saw the piece you refer to. I agree manny won't "dog it" but to be honest I don't want to see what he'll do! He's taken the game to a new level, and I fear "Manny being Manny" may take an all new level in the next couple months.

I said earlier, I really think this saga is effecting the teams play right now. A finality to it would be nice. The only finality I see is a trade or if the Sox kiss his a$$ big time and give him a new contract at the same time. The latter isn't going to happen for sure.

[oriole^]

I think dickay may have a point, here. Manny is used to the rules being different for him; the Sox really only have themselves to blame for that (though it's true that it was much the same in Cleveland). He won't mail it in, but you are gonna see some conduct unbecoming a ballplayer.

Frankly, if it's me at the helm in Boston - and thank Ghod it ain't - he's off my team. If I had to move him for two infielders and a rosin bag, he's out. That sort of thing is pure cancer for a team; the Yankees in the 70s were the only team I know that could survive all that nonsense.

[HoustonGM]

The Red Sox have survived it for a while...

I'm sure the Red Sox really do want to move Manny, but the thing is, they're not stupid. They know that Manny is a big part of their offense, and they're playing for a second consecutive World Series win. They're not going to trade Manny unless they get an adequate replacement for him that'll give them similar or better production.

[CatKnight]

HGM: I think you're once more overestimating stats vs. the human factor. I agree Manny's a great player, but if his antics drive the rest of the team down, it's not worth it.

I'm not sure I'd trade him for 2 IF and a rosin bag, but if I were the BoSox I'd be quite reasonable in my efforts to get him out the door.

[HoustonGM]

As I said, I would (and I'm sure they are trying) try to trade Manny as much as I could, but the fact of the matter is they're NOT going to downgrade their team in the middle of a close playoff race.