So what is everyone's opinion on this. I know some want to keep Nomar as a lifer, but IMHO, if we can get A-Rod, arguably one of the best players of this century already and young enough to improve, we have to jump at it.

I would even sweeten the pot with Hanley Ramirez and see if we could get a Kevin Mench or something, I may even just give them both Ramirez's for A-Rod to get the deal done. Then trade Nomar for something - the rumored Glaus, Washburn deal? Or try to get Eckstein in it to play 2B?

I'd love to see Nomar finish his career with the Sox - but it's all about the money, in my opinion.

I would like to see the Sox brass approach Nomar one more time in the offseason and exchange money ideas. If he honestly wants to stay in Boston (which can be argued), maybe he will take a modest upgrade from 11mil.

If not, Sox will make arrangments to have a deal in place for A-rod and then deal Nomar to Anaheim.

Yeah, I would not like to be in Theo's position of having to say "Well Nomar, we can't look at Jeter or A-Rod's contracts, e have to look at today's market and we can't give you anything more than 12 million.

Yet, I wouldn't want to see Nomar get a Jeter type contract either....

I'd love to see Nomar around for the long haul, but if he prefers to leave after this season, I think he should be traded. Getting ARod would be difficult. Obvioulsy Ramirez would have to go in that trade & why would Texas trade a stud SS for a DH?

They have to re-sign Nomar, and I want it done by Christmas.

I don't like ARod.
I don't want ARod.

So what if he's better? He costs twice as much. Is he twice as good? Did he knock in 210 RBI last year? Did he hit .610?

I realize these aren't reasonable arguments, but if Nomar wants to stay, he should stay.

Nomar isn't going anywhere unless Manny is dealt for ARod.

The deal works because both Texas and Boston save money.

And Nomar gets to go to the West Coast.
Who wouldn't want to live in San Diego.

Hopefully, this deal can be made soon while the Schilling momentum
is high. The Foulke signing as well.

My best to the Royal Rooters, and their exalted place in Red Sox History.

Remember 1918.

San Diego is beautiful, went there for work, and it was such a great place.

Anyhow, back to the AROD question .... if we can lose Manny and bring back AROD then I am all for it, even if we then have to trade Nomar because I think Nomar will bring us back some prettty good pitching/prospects in a trade.

Schilling
Foulke
AROD

Sounds good to me!

Can you imagine the detonation 206.4 miles south if the Sox trade Manny to get A-Rod, sign Foulke, and keep Nomar on top of signing Schilling? That would be perhaps the greatest WFAN listening in the history of the station!

Anyway, why can't the Sox do the A-Rod for Manny deal with some prospects thrown in if necessary (remember, the Rangers are saving about $90M over the life of the contract if they dump A-Rod) and still keep Nomar? Despite his sometimes pissy attitude with the media, I've never heard anything but rumor and innuendo that he wants to be on the West Coast. I thnk that's a pantload ... there's nobody more "East Coast" in his approach than Nomar. He is smashmouth baseball personifed. I think he wants to stay. And I think he'd make the move to second if he had to.

That being said, when A-Rod was rumored to the Yankees in 2001, he made it clear he'd be willing to move to third for Jeter. I mean, Nomar isn't on the artificially inflated pedestal that Jeter is (he's just a better player, offensively and defensively), but why wouldn't A-Rod consider moving to third base? We move Mueller to second (thereby saving money because we don't need a second baseman) and we use the second base money to get a good defensive left fielder.

This has been thrown around over at SoSH, but imagine A-Rod to Nomar to who cares on a 6-4-3 double play? Just thinking about it makes me unnaturally aroused.

I don't see any feasable way that the sox will keep both A-Rod and Nomar. It definitely is nice to think about, but they simply would have a very tough time affording them both. Surely Johnny Damon would have to go in that kind of scenario, and since they would trade Manny in order to get Rodriguez, there are two holes in the outfield that would need to be filled.

Personally, I don't think that Nomar will sign any sort of contract extension with the Sox. He may claim time and time again how much he loves Boston, per the rumors regarding what his sentiment at the wedding was, but he was made for the So-Cal lifestyle. I suppose getting A-Rod would be the best thing to replace him.

However on the other hand, the last two teams to win World Series were Anaheim and Florida, two teams without major superstar presence. They were built on solid all-around players, with a youth focus. While obviously, like any Red Sox fan, I'm extatic at the acquisition of Schilling and the prospect of A-Rod, but I think the brass should look to build the team all around with speed and defense. Just my .02.

Speed and defense?

OK, put everyone on waivers. We're starting over.

I would love to have Nomar and ARod, but I don't see either of the premier shortstops in MLB moving their position.

Nah guhn daht.

Obviously starting over isn't going to happen, but I really think that in order for a team to win (especially in the playoffs) they must learn how to produce runs. Getting rid of Manny would be a good way to help this out, he killed far too many potential rallys last season. Also would allow for a defensive upgrade.

I would much rather have A-Rod here than no A-Rod. I just don't think it's very likely that A-Rod and Nomar will play on any team together other than the All-Star team.

I dont think that moving positions would be a factor. If they wanted to win a championship that badly they should want to do anything to help the club achieve that goal. Mone money money is the big issue here. If the red sox brass really want A-Rod then Manny has to go. His and A-rods contract alone would equal almost a minnesota twins type clubs payroll (not exactly sure what there payroll is just using it as an example) if both of them were to stay in Boston. That alone would complicate things in signing the free agents coming up next year like varitek and others and that would start to disassemble the core thta we have come to know as the red sox. If Nomar really wants out or is not going to resign b/c he wants to go to the West Coast then trade him while you still can get something for him dont go away empty handed. Get rid of manny and get A-rod you will get manny type numbers from his bat and a good defensive shortstop now you just need a left fielder with nomar type hitting numbers and the other thing you get in A-rod instead of manny is that you get a player who RUNS TO FIRST.

Assuming that getting A-Rod would mean losing Manny AND Nomar, I would do it in a heartbeat.

A-Rod is the reigning AL MVP and Gold Glove winner, not to mention the best SS in the game. Of course RSN has an emotional tie to Nomar, but there is no emotional tie I wouldn't break for 2004 to be the year.

Before trading A-Rod/pitcher(Williamson or Kim?) for Manny/Nomar:
Big hole at 2B

After:
Huge hole in LF
Big hole at 2B
about 10 mil to play with

Assuming A-Rod and Manny are about similiar offensively, that means we would need to put Nomar's bat in LF. I think Shannon Stewart would be a great option out there. Get Johnny Damon and his inconsistencies out of the leadoff spot and put Stewart there. Damon drops to 9 but we keep his defense and speed and we'll still have the best #9 hitter in the league. Another possibility is JD Drew if he's non-tendered. His injuries scare me but when healthy, he would be another monster in the lineup.

If we could also manage to get a 2B either the Manny or Nomar deal, that would be a big plus. If Nomar went to the Angels, I'd love to see Adam Kennedy at 2B.


If this doesn't happen, we still have Nomar and Manny to create offense for Curt Schilling, so no big loss if it doesn't happen

"I may even just give them both Ramirez's for A-Rod to get the deal done."

I don't agree CT. While it's possible that Hanley will go the way of other failed prospects, he's still one of our potential gems. We're just now trying to emerge from what has been a poorly regarded minor league system, and we need to keep some of these guys. I'd certainly be willing to trade him in the right deal, but probably not in a "pot sweetener" situation like this.

I would not be at all surprised if this deal goes through before we see the fiorst dawn of 2004. We are hearing from too many sources that this deal is still possible. The main stickler seems to be Hicks and if Hart convinces him that this is the best move as far as saving $$ goes than maybe it will drop. Nomar is a great player but the upside to ARod given his age and his career trajectory is a lot higher than Nomar's. There are two ways to look at nomar a) his 3 or 4 protracted slumps were anomalies related to personal issues or B) he is in a post surgery decline that indicates he will not perform at the same level he did before the tendon split. I believe in b but my heart wants me to believe in a. I would make this trade if the opportunity to make it were presented.

Everyone loves Nomar, but he is no where near the player AROD is.

I think if you EVER have a chance at getting a player of this calibur, you do it. Whatever it takes.

There are not many opportunities like this. And when there are, it is usually at the tail end of a players career.

AROD is young, and probably the best player in MLB, certainly top 3.

If Nomar's going to get 17 mil a year, take A-Rod at 25.

This is a no-brainer.

Here's where we are folks:

1) Nomar in the last year of his contract.

2) Manny Ramirez albatross and headcase issue. Already put on waivers.

3) A-Rod's frustration with Texas, his desire to play in Boston (or New York).

Add that up, you have a near guarantee this will occur. A-Rod in Boston, Manny in Texas (for Hargrove), Nomar in Anaheim for K-Rod and prospects.

How could this not happen?

If the ARod-Manny trade does happen I for one hope that Nomar stays and if that is the case my preference would be to have Nomar stay at SS and have ARod play 3B. The rational for this is that even though ARod is the better SS, I think he would have an easier transition to 3B for the sole reason that Nomar tends to make throws better when he is on the move and going to his right as opposed to when he is standing flat footed or going to his left. But, the concession that Nomar would have to make to stay at SS is that he would have to take a 4/5 year deal at somewhere in the 13-15 mil range.

There are at least a couple reasons why it wouldn't happen: 1. Nomar's not going to get $17M/yr. - nobody is in 2004 - Schilling just set the new (revalued) standard; 2. Red Sox management understands that adding A-Rod while subtracting Nomar and Manny and still needing a top-flight 2nd baseman would create both productivity problems and defensive issues that aren't easily addressed by available free agents or trades.

Of course it's possible (Theo has shown himself to be shrewd and hard-working) that some number of moves, signings and karma could make the '04 Sox the team for the ages without Garciaparra and Ramirez, but I have my doubts. I think if A-Rod comes, it's Manny alone who moves on. Nomar stays, and remains the starting shortstop.

If Manny for ARod can be made to be revenue neutral, and since the Sox are already committed to Nomar and Manny, why can't they keep 'em both at least for this season. Could be fun, could result in a WS win which might affect Nomar's salary demands (hmmmm...do I want to stay here and contend every year, or do I want to go to SoCal and just keep warm all the time...)

I don't think the SS Gold Glove winner is going to move from SS. That said, even if we were to entertain this idea, I am not sure that I want to pay Nomar $60 over 4-5 years to play 3B or 2B. Wouldn't a trade for the younger and cheaper Troy Glaus plus a little pitching make life a little easier? I'm not sure that the Angels would want to do this deal, BUT Glaus said he wants out of town, so maybe it could happen. This would give us some cash savings to replace Manny in LF. Some are advocating Millar to LF, Ortiz to 1B, etc. but that is a terrible idea and I don't think there's a chance of it happening.

A stupid question. Can someone please explain the ezboard thing to me? I registered back in April, but haven't posted very much. Now, I changed my name and password for this site. Also, can I use the same name to log in to SOSH as well? Any help is greatly appreciated....thanks,

Rhody

First, Cambridge, I would like to keep a Hanley Ramirez around so we can have a potential star come through the system.

But the way I look at it is, A-Rod is still quite young and by virtue of him being a SS compared to the others that could be considered the best players in the game, I think he is, based on being a SS.

As for the suggestions that A-Rod said he would move for Jeter or maybe he would for Nomar, I thought he said he wouldn't move, could be wrong, but I thought he wanted to stay at SS.

Plus considering he is the best defensively out of the three, he should stay at SS.

If the two potential deal I recall Gammons mentioning could come to pass, it would be A-Rod straight up for Manny - because we are taking on the much larger contract, then he stated that Anaheim wants to give up Troy Glaus and Jarrod Washbrun for Nomar.

If that were to happen, our left side infield defense should be great, Mueller could move to 2B, not sure how he rates as a defensive 2B, then we have Washbrun as the number 5 starter...

So we need a LF after that, with the offense that would exist, is there someone we could give a shot from the minors, a non-tender, someone that could play some good defense and get on base would be nice.

Shannon Stewart scares me a little, he's not very good defensively and he arm makes Johnny "I throw like grandma" Damon's arm look like a cannon.

If the money were ever there to sign Mike Cameron to play CF and move Damon to LF, it would be fantastic, but I don't think the money would be there.

Lets look at some facts here.

A-Rod OPS + for the last 3 years

164, 152, 148

Manny OPS + for the last 3 years

162, 190, 160

Nomar for the last 3 years

114, 132, 121

Now, the trade is not Nomar for A-Rod, it is Manny for A-Rod. Manny is a better hitter, Nomar is not a slouch. Getting rid of these 2 players for one in return is not a good trade. A-Rod is a defensive upgrade, but he is not worth 1 better hitter and 1 better than average hitter.

We would need to make up the total difference. I beleive I saw a win shares analysis some where (I couldn't find the data quickly this morning) that suggests we leave a 21 win share hole that needs to be filled by 2B and LF. Granted this should be fillable, but we need to consider the overall effect on team performance, not just some A-Rod intangible versus Manny not running to first base 2 times per year.

Dan Duquette... Is that you???

I don't know... I've never really liked Nomar as much as others (he took Vals job!!!) but I appreciate that he is probably a hall of famer. Alex Rodriguez has a chance to be the best player ever... To make the Manny for AROD trade, I think you have to have a good deal for Nomar already on the table... Look at it like this...
-Manny 20M
-Nomar 11.5M
+AROD 21M

This leaves the Red Sox with 10.5M to fill in 3 holes...
Left Field
2B
Relief Pitcher


Trading Nomar is, IMO, a bad move unless you can get something of equal or greater value to:
Nomar
for
KROD
Washburn
Kennedy
or
Mota
Perez
Jackson

We would then need to sign a left fielder, preferably Reggie Sanders, to a 2 or 3 million dollar deal. This gets the following team:
Damon
Mueller
AROD
Ortiz
Millar
Nixon
Sanders
Varitek
Kennedy

Pedro
Schilling
Lowe
Washburn/Perez
Wakes

Willy
Mota/KROD
Timlin
Embree
Kim
Mendoza

In addition, the Nomar trade leaves us plenty of money to resign Pedro, Varitek, Nixon, Lowe... depending on what they want...

The only thing that's not even on your analysis, is that if the Nomar trade goes down the way Gammons had reported it, you would also be adding Glaus's bat to the line-up and thus filling the 2B hole with Mueller.

The only hole that would be left if these deals went down would be LF or CF if we moved Damon to LF.

Getting A-Rod, Troy Glaus and Jarrod Washbrun for Manny and Nomar is a steal for the Red Sox IMHO. Washbrun was working as a #1 for Anaheim at one point, at #4 or 5 he would make this the greatest rotation in baseball.

So if we were giving up Manny and Nomar for A-Rod as your numbers suggest, it would hurt the Sox for this year, since Nomar could be gone as a FA at the end of the year anyway.

Hey, maybe we should try to sign Tejada for Schilling type money, then trade Nomar to Anaheim and we still have a stud SS and add a stud 3B and good SP, not to mention save some money...

I'm sorry but Glaus sucks. He's been going downhill since '01, strikes out too much and can't field. All that and he made $7.25 mil last year.

I still say we keep Nomar. Maybe we can find someone to take Damon and save some cash that way.

I could have been wrong, but I thought I heard a lot about Glaus being above average on defense.

Also wouldn't he see a marked inprovement offensively in Fenway as a right handed power hitter as compared to Anaheim? The strikeouts are annoying, but he's still pretty young, so there is room for training on the batting eye.

ARod wants out of Texas in the worst way. It is never glorious to be considered the best position player in baseball and have your team finish last each year. He has indicated a willingness to restructure his contract should the opportunity to go to a contender be presented. While the player's association frowns on this type of renegotiation, several members of the D-Backs, Schilling and Randy Johnson amongst them, deferred some of their money in order to help the club remain competitive. Assuming ARod would do the same, and effectively lower the cost of his contract to the Red Sox, I am all for getting him. We could only do it if the Rangers agreed to take on Manny and some prospects to get him. If the Red Sox can get ARod at only a couple million over what they've committed to Manny, I think we can keep Nomar as well. I, for one, will not turn my back on Nomar. He has given us so many fine seasons, and I would love to see him stay with the Sox for life. I think Nomar would agree to move to second base if the Red Sox were to acquire ARod, and they would form the greatest middle infield in the history of the game of baseball.

Acquiring Curt Schilling was a dream come true. Signing Keith Foulke would add to my happiness. I hate to sound negative, but I know that the Lord would never allow me to experience the joy I would feel if the Red Sox could lock up Curt, Foulke, and ARod, and still keep Nomar. Like Moses, I have been led to the Promised Land on several occasions, but only allowed to see it, and never enter it. Still, I am grateful for the euphoria I have felt over the past few days....to complete the experience, I just need to read one article, somewhere, anywhere, describing how George Steinbrenner and the Yankee brass reacted upon learning that Schilling had given Theo the thumbs up to the trade.

the only person that I would like to see other than nomar is a-rod.If we trade nomar then we would be able to get stronger with the players we would aquire.Maybe Glaus and some pitching

It's not just the laundry I root for, although that certainly helps. I mean, I didn't think Canseco was such a bad guy (when he was here).

But I grew up back in the day, when you might see a player on your team for a few years, and not just this year's arm-for-hire.

I'm in no hurry to get rid of Nomar, even for ARod.

It would be nice to keep Nomar around, but we are talking about one of the greatest of all time, imagine the numbers that A-Rod could give the Red Sox, I would be willing to keep Trot as the lifer and wait for the next set of minor leaguers to earn their way up to the show.

Can anyone tell me what the story is with EZBoard? If I joined once to post here, can I use the same name to post at SOSH?

If we traded Nomar for Glaus/Washburn, we should make it a 3-way and trade Washburn unless we have a good deal in the works where Kim or Willy are leaving town....

Royal Rooters is in no way linked with SoSH. If you can get yourself registered at SoSH and no one has registered on EZBoard with your name, then you're in. But this site has zip zilch nada nothing to do with EZBoard or SoSH, so please treat it as such.

First, Glaus does not suck. He does strike out a lot. However, if you use the park adjusted stat of OPS+, you will see he isn't that much of a downgrade over Nomar.

Glauss OPS + last 3 years.

127 - 2001
115 - 2002
118 - 2003

Not exactly a huge down turn. He does strike out a lot

158
144
78 (only 91 games)

However, he also walks a lot.

107
88
46 (only 91 games)

If you compare him to Nomar's OPS +

114
132
121

He's not that far behind. In fact, in 2001 he was slightly better offensively and almost equal in 2003. Now defensively is another story.

Fielding %

.953 (league average of .947)
.950 (league average of .951)
.923 (league average of .955)

His range factor is below league average every year. So, he does not look like a good 3rd baseman at all. Bill Mueller at 3rd base.

Fielding %

.942
.974
.951

Mueller beats him in 2/3 of the last 3 years (however, still below league average for 2/3 years also). Mueller's range factor is also below league average and is below Glaus 2/3 years (2001 and 2002).

It almost looks like a wash defensively between them, and Glauss is a fair offensive threat for power and has some patience. He just strikes out too much.

Overall, Glaus would be about an even swap with Mueller at 3rd base in my opinion which is not saying much for our defense. I really don't know about Mueller at 2nd base.

Why would we not be able to trade Manny for AROD and keep Nomar?

I mean, if Nomar wants to be with Boston, and he wants to win a WS ring, why not move to 2b or 3b?

Same with AROD, if he wants to leave TEX and he wants to win a WS ring in Boston then he should offer to move to 3b if the Sox will keep Nomar as well.

I think they could do it $$$$ wise, and imagine if they had a lineup with both of them!?!?

I doubt either Nomar or A-Rod would agree to a position change.

Nomar is the incumbent and on the verge of free agency. A switch to 2B would kill his market value.

A-Rod is the best player in baseball and the latest Gold Glove winner.

I can't see the two of them co-existing but I sure as hell hope it happens

I would love to have Nomar sign a 10 year deal, but I think that he is bolting to OAK, SD, SF or whoever offers the most cash the first chance he gets.
I don't fault him for wanting to go home.

We need to act now and get the best player in the league.

Ted

Yeah, I guess sucks is too strong of a term but he is not worth the $9 mil that he is due in 04 IMHO. He is also a FA after next season and with that being the case I'd much rather keep Nomar.

I love the idea of Manny for A-Rod. The key is what you turn around and get for Nomar, because obviously this is the next shoe to drop.
Ideally it what be a quality major league hitter (G. Anderson, Glaus) + a top pitching prospect (Jenks). Is that possible? I think so. Eckstein and Kennedy do little to excite me. You need to fill the gigantic hole left by dealing your 2 best hitters.

Nomar has made it pretty clear he want to stay with Boston. He's the most popular player on the team. The fans would gladly accept Arod for Manny but not if it meant trading away Nomar.

Now Manny wants to stay, the Boston Herald reports.

I'm not sure why a lot of people are desperately seeking an A-Rod trade. A Nomar/Manny duo puts out a lot more production than an A-Rod does all by himself. Anyone who thinks we wouldn't miss having those two bat in the 3 and 4 holes are out of their mind.

Maybe if we had a "diamond in the rough" type of an outfielder who came out of nowhere, things would be different. Sure, Manny can't field but I doubt you'll find a better offensive machine in the AL. Nomar is a very good defensive SS too.

I don't see how subtracting the two for one, granted the one is the best player in the game, would put us any closer to the WS? The only way it makes sense is from a fiscal standpoint. We were right on the cusp with the '03 team. Blown games and the lack of another quality starter was what we were missing.

With all that said, I wouldn't mind if A-Rod was making his new home Fenway next season, but I won't be crushed if he doesn't come either. I do think we're a bit better next season if we keep our two current stars.

This is the thing that I think a lot of people aren't understanding. I responded to a couple as have others. A-Rod is not what we get for Manny and Nomar.

I don't think anyone would do that 2 for 1, even me as much as I'd like to see A-Rod in a Red Sox uniform.

The rumored deals were Manny for A-Rod and then Nomar for Glaus and Washbrun.

So when everyone makes the comparison, it would have to include that Glaus very well would be replacing Nomar.

So how much would the Sox lose in production between Manny/Nomar and A-Rod/Glaus? They may even gain there.

Not to mention getting Jarrod Washbrun for nothing is a steal...

I still am holding on to the hope that they get AROD and keep Nomar

Not gonna happen, but one can hope.


Any rumors still floating around about Nomar to LA for Green and a pitcher?

I think it was Manny involved in that rumor originally, not Nomar. The whole Green/Manny deal was the original possibility before the whole Arod thing blew up, now no one even considers that. When and if Nomar goes it's most likely going to be for young players.

I dont think I would let him go to ANA for anything less than GAnderson and KROD

Unless we could get another bat via another trade of FA, then maybe you could trade Nomar for KROD and Washburn or Ben Webber or another young arm.

The only way that Anaheim, or any team for that matter, would ever consider dealing good major league talent in exchange for Nomar would have to be confident that they would be able to get Nomar to sign an extension then and there. It's too much of a gamble to take for these teams, to deal so much for simply one year of Nomar's services. This is part of the arguement which hasn't been looked at too much. Will Nomar be willing to negotiate with other teams, and what would their odds be to extend his contract. If it's not near 100%, I don't see anyone ponying up an extraordinary amount of major league talent. Young prospects, perhaps, but not proven Major Leaguers.

I would think the teams trading for Nomar would first find out if he would sign an extended contract.

Besides I think IF he is traded, Theo would have the courtesy to trade him to someplace he wants to go [well supposedly wants to go] so I doubt an extension would be an issue

Yes, I understood this before I posted. What I am saying is that the total production will go down no matter who we get if we deal those two away in whatever trades might come up. We were extremely close to the WS this season and to tinker with the set up we have now might be taking a step back. That is something we don't have time, considering some of the other possible free agents that could flee the Sox at the end of '04.

You can can combine A-Rod with any number of other players/prospects and it won't equal what Manny/Nomar can produce for us. The only way i'd see an improvement, or atleast maintain our current status, is if we somehow got A-Rod/Vlad and that won't happen.

Thats what I was trying to say before.

I posted this on the old board but I didn't get any replies due to the changeover. I am reposting it in hopes of getting your views. Thanks for bearing with me...
As cool as it sounded at first, I have turned on the idea of getting ARod if it will cost us his salary plus Nomar and Manny. We all agree Manny has his issues, and his salary is excessive in today's market. BUT, the reality is no matter how much better ARod is as a player and PR-wise, he would cost us a great deal more than Manny, and for a lot longer. Manny's salary is peaking this year while ARod's will continue to increase for the life of his contract. If we can get Nomar to sign on for slightly more than Tejada will get (say 13-14 M) for 4 years, we have locked him up at what may be a low for the market for a while. Keep Manny and let him do his 1.000 OPS thing for us. Then you are looking at 34M ish for Manny and Nomar from 2005-2008, versus 25 M (05-06) and 27M (!) (07-08) for ARod alone. We can also cut Manny loose after 2008, while ARod is not only guaranteed his money for 2009/10, he is guaranteed pay increases from 27M for those years. I just don't see the need to remake one of the best offensive teams in history when it will involve such a huge drain on our payroll for so long, even given it is unlikely we will match last year's production. By all means if someone wants to take Manny and his contract so that we can reinvest that money, go ahead (but we already know they won't take him for teh cost of his salary). We are correctly focusing on pitching and we need to invest our resources there and at 2B and forget about ARod unless something falls into our lap which would make the salaries wash (which it won't).