The Wright Stuff Ok, before I get into my sick and twisted theories, I'd like to make the 50/50 prediction here. If the Red Sox are going to trade Manny, it's to the Mets for a package that will include at least two, or maybe all, of the following: David Wright, Lastings Millege, Aaron Heilman.

Ok, here goes.
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So let me get this straight...The Red Sox lose their golden boy G.M., who helped orchestrate a blockbuster deal around Thanksgiving, 2003, which sent Nomar out of town, brought Curt Schilling back to Boston, and planted the World Series trophy back to Fenway. Without said young, hotshot G.M., they then orchestrate another Turket Day trade, this time to get 25-year old Josh Beckett and his "blistering" fastball, Mike Lowell and his lumbering lumber, and Guillermo Mota, who used to be the shiznit (author's note: Derek Lowe also used to be the shiznit. But I digress.)

While trying to replace the homegrown G.M., the Red Sox try ot interview a bevy of folks to assume the position (in every sense of the word) on 4 Yawkey Way. Some of the fellow young hotshots say "thanks, but no thanks," and take other jobs or just continue in their quest to explain why E=MC2 means stolen bases are wasted outs.

On the other end of the spectrum, the New York Times/Boston Globe/NESN/Volvo/1-800-54-GIANT/front office troika interview some older candidates, in between their 49-cent coffee at McDonald's on Comm Ave. and half-price movies, creak their old bones in to talk about taking the job...and then drinking some prune juice.

But guess what? They don't need to. They have their answer. They got their answer when Theo Epstein decided to walk away from a 500% pay raise. The GM is virtually powerless, in big picture issues, in the Sox front office structure. Sure, if you want to deal Henri Stanley for Dave Roberts or some silly trade like that, fine. But if you balk at dealing some of the prized young studs on the farm for players that the owner has a man-crush on? Forget it, you're out.

Let the so-called gang of four keep doing what they're doing...because, to quote LL Cool J, they're doing it, and doing it, and doing it well. Jeremy Kapstein (representing Boston but raised back in Providence) has been revered as one of the most influential and intelligent guys in the biz. A former player agent and front office guy, Kapstein understands both ends of
the deal. And the young, old, and former player demographics are represented in Jed Hoyer, Bill LaJoie, and Craig Shipley.

How are they doing it well? Certainly the Beckett deal is exhibit A. But the way they are playing impending Manny Ramirez sweepstakes is bordering on pure genius.

Manny and his agent tried to force the Red Sox hand, by "going public" with his trade demands and essentially saying that if he's not dealt, he won't sashay into City of Palms Park 75 days from now, when pitchers and catchers report. That's not exactly a good move, for either party.

To eliminate the leverage that the Sox have also eliminates the market. A team is not
going to give up an equal or close-to-equal package if they know that Manny is holding the Sox over the coals. And the Sox aren't just going to give him away, as they proved at the trade deadline last year. (arguments can be made that Theo pulled the plug on that one, despite the intentions of Lucchino...oh well, that's over...)

The gang of four has had to re-create the market for Manny, pouncing on any and all opportunities to create "competition" for the services of the second-best right-handed hitter in the game.

Omar Minaya would probably give his right arm, and potentially a few toes, to get Manny. As the New York Daily News reported last week, he has even worked with a graphic designer to come up with some "Manny's a Met" ads. Nice, slick. Good move.

Since taking over as Mets GM, he has made Manny a priority. In fact, as it seems, Minaya has made every Latin American free agent an offer. The only ones without a contract tendered, I believe, is Horatio Sanz and Charo.

So as Paul Konerko decided to stay with the Pale Hose, the right-handed power hitter Christmas list got one name shorter. The teams that were in the Konerko sweepstakes had to decide whether or not they are interested in Manny. The teams that were slightly interested in Manny have to poop or get off the pot. The team(s) that were very interested in Manny - ok, just the
Mets - know that the stakes just went up a bit.

So what do the Red Sox do now? The gang of four creates a market. Anaheim wants in. And all of a sudden, Philly wants in. Philly...same division as the Mets...play 19 times...short left field porch...is Omar sweating yet?

Manny put his penthouse up for sale last week, and next week, the annual GM meetings are being held in Dallas. Then, we'll know for sure if Omar Minaya gets his Man(ny), the Sox get the Mets' future, and if it's "business as usual" on 4 Yawkey Way.
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But whoever is doing the job, I'd like them to tell me more about Jermaine Van Buren. I know who Jermaine Dupri is, Jermaine Jackson even. Same goes for Martin Van Buren and Lt. Anita Van Buren from Law & Order. But this guy is supposed to compete for a bullpen spot?

Oy.

One.  ¶ 11:26 AM