PHILLIES IN MANNY RACE
By MICHAEL MORRISSEY
December 1, 2005 -- The Mets wounded the Phillies by acquiring Billy Wagner, Philadelphia's former closer. But the Phillies have set their sights on a player the Mets have coveted: Manny Ramirez.
Philadelphia and Boston have engaged in serious talks about swapping Ramirez for Bobby Abreu, The Post has learned.
Abreu was shopped by new Philly GM Pat Gillick during the GM meetings in early November. Ramirez's unhappiness in Boston has been evident for months, if not years, and culminated with his apartment in the Residence at the Ritz-Carlton going on the market Tuesday for $6.9 million.
If the Phillies land Ramirez, it would be a huge counterblow to the Mets. Constant speculation was that Mets GM Omar Minaya's flurry of winter activity would be capped with a knockout acquisition of the eccentric outfielder.
Minaya landed Wagner on Tuesday, and the fireballing lefty blasted the Phils for going backward while the Mets became a stronger playoff contender.
The Phillies believe a Ramirez deal could get done if they want. Apparently, the stumbling block is the disparity in salaries.
Ramirez will earn $19 million next season and $57 million over the next three. Abreu will earn $13 million in 2006 and $15 million in 2007.
Also, Abreu has a no-trade clause. He may want his 2008 club option for $16 million exercised if he waives the clause.
Paul Konerko's new five-year, $60 million contract with the White Sox could affect a deal for Ramirez. The Angels, who pursued Konerko, reportedly were Ramirez's No. 1 choice, and any trade requires his permission due to his 10/5 rights (10 years in the majors, at least five with his current team).
Now that the Angels lost out on Konerko, they may be more proactive regarding a trade.
The Mets weren't informed by Boston that the Red Sox were involved in talks with Philly. At least one Mets source was unfazed by the Boston-Philly talks and said the team would not speed up its timetable for Ramirez. They reportedly planned to speak at next week's winter meetings.
Reportedly, the Red Sox had interest in Mets center-field prospect Lastings Milledge as the centerpiece for any deal, but sources said it is "highly unlikely" the Mets will move either Milledge or righty Aaron Heilman. That puts the Mets and Red Sox at a crossroads regarding Ramirez.
Yesterday, the Mets didn't rule out a trade for a catcher. Although much of the focus has centered on the team's offers to free agents Ramon Hernandez and Bengie Molina, the club is pursuing other avenues.
They've been linked to Florida's Paul Lo Duca and have interest in Tampa Bay's Toby Hall. A source argued that a trade wouldn't necessarily be more costly, because the Mets will lose a draft pick if they sign either Hernandez or Molina.
Willie Randolph, who was honored by the March of Dimes as its Sportsman of the Year at the Waldorf-Astoria yesterday, said he can't wait to get to spring training. Randolph said his club is more balanced than it was last year.
But he cautioned against anointing the Mets as overwhelming favorites.
"It's not rotisserie baseball," he said. "I've been on a lot of great Yankees teams, been on a lot of great ballclubs where we could start printing playoff tickets before the season started.
"And I've been disappointed many times in that way."
Additional reporting by George King.
[email protected]
By MICHAEL MORRISSEY
December 1, 2005 -- The Mets wounded the Phillies by acquiring Billy Wagner, Philadelphia's former closer. But the Phillies have set their sights on a player the Mets have coveted: Manny Ramirez.
Philadelphia and Boston have engaged in serious talks about swapping Ramirez for Bobby Abreu, The Post has learned.
Abreu was shopped by new Philly GM Pat Gillick during the GM meetings in early November. Ramirez's unhappiness in Boston has been evident for months, if not years, and culminated with his apartment in the Residence at the Ritz-Carlton going on the market Tuesday for $6.9 million.
If the Phillies land Ramirez, it would be a huge counterblow to the Mets. Constant speculation was that Mets GM Omar Minaya's flurry of winter activity would be capped with a knockout acquisition of the eccentric outfielder.
Minaya landed Wagner on Tuesday, and the fireballing lefty blasted the Phils for going backward while the Mets became a stronger playoff contender.
The Phillies believe a Ramirez deal could get done if they want. Apparently, the stumbling block is the disparity in salaries.
Ramirez will earn $19 million next season and $57 million over the next three. Abreu will earn $13 million in 2006 and $15 million in 2007.
Also, Abreu has a no-trade clause. He may want his 2008 club option for $16 million exercised if he waives the clause.
Paul Konerko's new five-year, $60 million contract with the White Sox could affect a deal for Ramirez. The Angels, who pursued Konerko, reportedly were Ramirez's No. 1 choice, and any trade requires his permission due to his 10/5 rights (10 years in the majors, at least five with his current team).
Now that the Angels lost out on Konerko, they may be more proactive regarding a trade.
The Mets weren't informed by Boston that the Red Sox were involved in talks with Philly. At least one Mets source was unfazed by the Boston-Philly talks and said the team would not speed up its timetable for Ramirez. They reportedly planned to speak at next week's winter meetings.
Reportedly, the Red Sox had interest in Mets center-field prospect Lastings Milledge as the centerpiece for any deal, but sources said it is "highly unlikely" the Mets will move either Milledge or righty Aaron Heilman. That puts the Mets and Red Sox at a crossroads regarding Ramirez.
Yesterday, the Mets didn't rule out a trade for a catcher. Although much of the focus has centered on the team's offers to free agents Ramon Hernandez and Bengie Molina, the club is pursuing other avenues.
They've been linked to Florida's Paul Lo Duca and have interest in Tampa Bay's Toby Hall. A source argued that a trade wouldn't necessarily be more costly, because the Mets will lose a draft pick if they sign either Hernandez or Molina.
Willie Randolph, who was honored by the March of Dimes as its Sportsman of the Year at the Waldorf-Astoria yesterday, said he can't wait to get to spring training. Randolph said his club is more balanced than it was last year.
But he cautioned against anointing the Mets as overwhelming favorites.
"It's not rotisserie baseball," he said. "I've been on a lot of great Yankees teams, been on a lot of great ballclubs where we could start printing playoff tickets before the season started.
"And I've been disappointed many times in that way."
Additional reporting by George King.
[email protected]
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