Sox unraveling with Ramirez; time for a big deal?

It's been said that it's tougher to repeat than to win the title in the first place, and at this point, everybody associated with the Boston Red Sox would have to agree.

The second-place Sox have endured more injuries this season, still have to deal with a resurgent New York Yankees team and face a new challenger in the Tampa Bay Rays, who are two games ahead as of July 27. And now they're also dealing with a major distraction involving one of the best pure hitters in big-league history.

Manny Ramirez begged out of the lineup on Friday with a sore knee. At home against the archrival Yankees, you'd better really be hurt. MRIs on both knees ordered by the team showed nothing wrong, essentially calling Manny's bluff. Ramirez returned to the lineup and went 0 for 4 on Saturday in another Boston loss.

Ramirez wants the Red Sox to pick up his $20 million option for next season. The team is under no obligation to do so, especially in the middle of a pennant race. So the perception is that Ramirez is pouting.

As Boston Globe columnist Dan Shaugnessy recounted:

Manny's snit comes after he flattened 64-year-old traveling secretary Jack McCormick over a ticket allotment in Houston. It comes after he ripped ownership for allegedly lying to him in contract negotiations. It comes after he was rebuked by [owner John] Henry. It comes after his giggle-fest when he played a popup into a triple while the Sox were being swept in Anaheim.

This might be a poor read of the tea leaves by Manny. He is not as valuable as he was. For $20 million (club option for 2009 and again in 2010) the ball club can expect to do better than .301 with 19 homers and 61 RBIs after 104 games.

So this could be the most interesting trade deadline move of all this week - the deadline is Thursday. It could be addition by subtraction in Boston. As ESPN's Buster Olney reported on Saturday, Ramirez would certainly be dealt to the National League - the Red Sox wouldn't want to risk facing him before the World Series - so that leaves the Mets, Phillies, Cardinals, Cubs, Dodgers, Diamondbacks or maybe even the Marlins as the likely suitors. (Forget the Brewers - they're already loaded in the outfield.) The Mets are in Manny's hometown. And one of Ramirez's old hitting coaches - Charlie Manuel - is managing in Philadelphia. Most of the above teams can't afford him. But many of them have a prospect or two that Boston might like. And one of them could make a massive move and pull the trigger.

Photo: Manny Ramirez of the Boston Red Sox laughs during batting practice before Saturday's game against the New York Yankees at Fenway Park on July 26 in Boston. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)