from today's Daily News
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD>Manny reasons for leaving
</TD></TD><TR><TD>
</TD></TR><TR><TD>BY ADAM RUBIN
DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITER
</TD></TR><TR><TD><!-- Component: NYDailyNews : component/story/picture.comp --><TABLE cellSpacing=10 cellPadding=0 width=50 align=right border=0><TBODY></TBODY></TABLE><!-- Component: NYDailyNews : component/story/picture.comp -->Johnny Damon thinks an unhappy Manny Ramirez will be traded this winter. And that belief was a "big factor" in contributing to Damon's decision to sign with the Yankees.
"I don't think he's going to be back," Damon told Ch. 2 yesterday. "He stated many times that he wants to be elsewhere."
Damon said the Mets would be a good fit for Ramirez, and the slugger appears amenable. But a relocation to Flushing continues to seem unlikely, even if GM Omar Minaya still craves the slugger.
The Mets are holding the line on payroll after another winter of spending, as evidenced by their pursuit of low-priced relievers while letting Roberto Hernandez walk and hesitating to bid over-aggressively on Julian Tavarez.
Also, Boston brass has maintained its desire to get equal value for Ramirez. The Mets would be hard-pressed to put together such a package, even if the money issue was resolved. It's doubtful the Red Sox would accept Lastings Milledge as the primary chip back because they already have to make up for the loss of Damon's bat. And Aaron Heilman isn't expendable because of the lack of proven relievers leading to Billy Wagner.
From a Mets perspective, obtaining Ramirez also could be dangerous down the road considering the organization's other financial obligations. The slugger is owed $57 million over the next three seasons. When 2008 arrives, the Mets will be in the final year of Pedro Martinez's contract, when he's 36 years old and making $11.5 million. They also will be in a final guaranteed year at $16 million (with $4 million paid by the Marlins) with Carlos Delgado, who will be 36 then. Billy Wagner will make $10.5 million and be 37 in '08. Carlos Beltran will be making $18.5 million (with $8.5 million of that deferred). Plus, David Wright and Jose Reyes' salaries figure to increase dramatically as they enter arbitration and approach free agency. "He just wants a change," Damon said about Ramirez. "And sometimes in baseball a change is good."
Originally published on December 23, 2005
http://www.nydailynews.com/12-23-2005/sports/baseball/story/377165p-320419c.html
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>