The Sports Rotation

Don't try telling Florida Marlins team owner Jeffrey Loria that he should be happy with his team finishing second place in their division with 87 wins despite having the lowest payroll in the major leagues. 

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In 2007 Jorge Posada hit 338. with 20 home runs 90 RBIs.  That same year A-Rod hit 314 with 54 home runs and 156 RBIs.  In 2004 Adrian Beltre hit 334 with 121 RBIs, 104 Runs, 200 Hits, 32 doubles, and 48 home runs. The major common thread in these three examples is that all of these players had their best statistical seasons while playing in a contract year.  This point won't be lost on the Boston Red Sox and their trials with Manny Ramirez.  Everyone knows Manny is a diva.  Sure he is also a head case.  Yes I know that he is slamming the organization in the media by saying "The Red Sox don't deserve me".  We all see him taking plays off and not hustling to first base.  And I'm sure none of this is sitting well with the fans of Red Sox nation who rest their hopes in Theo Epstein 

The tendency would be to put your trust in Theo Epstein and the owners.  And trust me you should.  He is afterall an incredible GM who has proven his ability to get rid of players who are on the decline.  Just look at the turnaround this team went through after getting rid of fan favorite (particularly among the ladies) Nomar Garciaparra.  Or think about them letting key players Pedro Martinez, Johnny Damon, and Derek Lowe just walk via free agency.  They only managed to win 2 World Series in that span.  But these moves on behalf of the organization shouldn't go to Epstein, nor his bosses heads and they won't.  Instead, they will follow the advice of their crazed slugger and realize what they have.  They have a hitter who makes everybody on that lineup better, or do you think that Dustin Pedroia is this good on his own.  They have a hitter who is batting 417.  vs. your rival Yankess and 400. vs the Angels, arguably the best team in the league.  More importantly they are getting all of these facts with an imposing presence who is in the final year of his contract, looking to gt richer.  So Manny is bound to shut up, play hard, and put on an incredible show for any potential suitors. 

Conversely, they will realize what they won't be getting.  They won't be getting an upgrade over Ramirez with the acquisition of Jason Bay.  They won't be getting a hitter who strikes fear in opposing pitchers and managers. They had their chance to trade for what could posibly have been Manny's equal with the trade that didn't happen for Alex Rodriguez (No slight to Albert Pujols).  That was 2003 and 5 years later you have 2 championships with Ramirez being an integral part.  So this trade rumor needs to be put to bed already.  It's time to realize the year and go for another.