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All Sox talk winds back to Manny

By Art Martone

There was news. Rudy Seanez is here. Wade Miller and Chad Bradford aren't. The clock is ticking on Johnny Damon.

But when it comes to the Red Sox, everything, invariably, comes back to Manny.

''Our position is the same as it's been all along,'' co-general manager Ben Cherington said during Tuesday's conference call in regards to the status of trade talks involving All-Star left fielder Manny Ramirez. ''We have a pretty good idea what Manny's value to our team is. We haven't gotten to a point where we feel we're getting something of equal value in return.''

Ramirez, citing concerns about living in Boston for unspecified reasons, requested a trade this offseason and, even though he's asked to be dealt virtually every season since signing with the Sox, the club is taking this one more seriously. The Sox have looked into various trade possibilities, though they say they won't trade Ramirez unless the deal helps the team.

Under repeated questions from reporters, Cherington and the other co-GM, Jed Hoyer, said most of the team's contact has been with Ramirez' representatives. There has been at least one direct conversation with Ramirez by someone in the Red Sox' hierarchy, but Cherington wouldn't say who it was or when the conversation(s) took place.

''I just don't think it's appropriate,'' Cherington said. ''Manny's an employee of the Red Sox.''

And finally, when the inquiries about Ramirez continued, Cherington cut them off.

''There's nothing else we can say about it,'' he said. ''It is what it is and [the conference-call questions] have to move on.''

The interest in the topic was fueled by the lack of information surrounding Ramirez' desire to leave Boston. No reasons have been given as to why he wants out, except for rumors that the concerns are more off-the-field than on. There's been talk Ramirez won't report to spring training if he isn't dealt, though there's been no formal declaration by Ramirez or his agents.

Cherington wouldn't even say if the club has attempted to convince Ramirez to stay.

''To classify [the Sox' conversations about Ramirez' concerns] as anything other than listening,'' he said, ''wouldn't be appropriate and wouldn't be accurate.''

In any case, there were other subjects to touch on. Such as . . .

RUDY SEANEZ
The Sox signed the 37-year-old reliever, who spent two unimpressive weeks in Boston in 2003, to a one-year, $2.1 million deal Tuesday, with an option for a second year that could raise the total value of the contract to $5.3 million.

''He's been just outstanding the last two years,'' said Hoyer. ''He really improved his command, and his strikeout numbers are outstanding. He had as good a year as any relief pitcher last year [with San Diego] and we're delighted to have him.''

THE NON-TENDERING OF CHAD BRADFORD
Bradford was one of the few relievers manager Terry Francona trusted last year, but his pronounced submarine style made his extremely vulnerable to left-handed hitters. Hoyer said the Sox -- who acquired right-handers Guillermo Mota and Jermaine Van Buren earlier this offseason -- are attempting to build a more well-rounded bullpen that's less reliant on specialists like Bradford and Mike Myers (the lefty one-out reliever who signed as a free agent with the Yankees).

''What we're trying to do is find pitchers who are more balanced, who can get hitters out from both sides of the plate,'' said Hoyer. ''Since the end of the regular season we've been trying to build a deeper bullpen, one that's more versatile. I think at times last year Tito was hamstrung to a certain degree in terms of who he could use in what situations. So we're trying to give him more flexibility.''

THE NON-TENDERING OF WADE MILLER
Ironically, the Sox signed Miller last winter one day after he was non-tendered by the Astros. They were hopeful that rest and rehab would cure the shoulder woes that caused Houston to let him go, but he struggled through most of last year and underwent surgery in September.

Still, the Sox liked what they saw. Hoyer, for one, would like to see Miller back in a Boston uniform if they can agree to a less-expensive contract.

''Wade did a good job for us,'' said Hoyer. ''He really battled, and he can handle this market. I spoke with Wade's agent and with Wade himself, and we have interest in bringing him back. We've certainly not closed the door on Wade Miller in Boston at all.''

THE DECISION OF TONY GRAFFANINO TO ACCEPT SALARY ARBITRATION
Hoyer and Cherington said they were not surprised, nor were they dismayed, by Graffanino's decision to stay in Boston . . . even though their trade for Padres second baseman Mark Loretta would seem to indicate they didn't expect him to return.

''We had a pretty good idea what the market was for Tony,'' said Cherington, ''and our decision [to offer arbitration] was made with the notion that if he did accept, we'd be happy with the outcome.

''He's the type of player we feel can perform in Boston. We're expecting Loretta to be our second baseman, but Tony can play a lot of positions, he can hit left-handers well. So there's some different things we can do with Tony.''

DAVID WELLS
The Padres agreed to trade pitcher Adam Eaton to Texas Tuesday, and the acquired a player the Sox have been interested in: First baseman Adrian Gonzalez. Since the Padres have veteran Ryan Klesko at first base, a subsequent Wells-for-Gonzalez trade was the talk of the Internet yesterday.

Cherington, however, didn't see any change in a potential trade with the Padres.

''I'm not sure why [Tuesday's trade] would affect the landing spots for Wells,'' he said. ''San Diego is one of the teams we've talked to, and I'm not sure why that trade would change their situation.''

JOHNNY DAMON
And finally there's Damon, the re-signing of whom is the Sox' top priority. His decision not to accept arbitration means the clock is ticking: The two sides have until Jan. 8 to reach agreement on a new deal, or they'll be forbidden from negotiating again until May.

''With him rejecting arbitration, that puts a bit of a deadline on it,'' said Hoyer. ''Things are still progressing well, we're having a lot of conversations with [Damon's agent, Scott Boras] and from our vantagepoint those are very productive.''

As time passes and potential suitors fall by the wayside -- the Dodgers eliminated themselves from the Damon Sweepstakes Tuesday when they signed Kenny Lofton, and the Cubs are said to be talking to Jacque Jones -- it looks more and more like a Yankees/Red Sox showdown for Damon. And the Yankees' genuine interest in Damon is still unknown, though whispers persist they've trumped the Sox' four-year, $40 million offer -- the only known offer for the veteran center fielder -- with a five-year, $53 million proposal. But it's unknown if the Yanks really have made that offer.

In any case, it doesn't appear a mystery team will swoop in to change the landscape.

''More teams have traded for or signed center fielders, so the market is clearer,'' said Hoyer. ''There are more knowns than unknowns.''

Hoyer and Cherington admitted having looked into backup plans in center field; there have numerous reports about trade talks with Seattle (for Jeremy Reed) and Cleveland (for Coco Crisp). ''We always have to operate on multiple fronts,'' admitted Hoyer.

But those, the Sox insist, are nothing more than backup plans.

''Our absolute priority,'' said Hoyer, ''is to bring Johnny back in center field next year.''

Posted by Art  at 6:42 PM | Permalink