Chavez Ravine has become "Mannyland"

Image courtesy of Boston.com

The original Red Sox Christmas present has just walked out the door; taking with him two others in a three-way trade with the Dodgers and the Pirates. the guy in return - Pirates OF Jason Bay. Not a big name but a solid occasional All-Star who's been in the NL all of his career. I had to let this whole idea of this trade sink in before commenting on it.

At first, I thought that the Sox gave up too much. Moss has shown brief flashes of being a solid player for years to come. Hansen, though, has gone from closer savior to 8th inning setup man with closer-quality to a BP pitcher. And while Manny was not hitting his usual .340, 30+, 70+, he was still a feared hitter and great protection for Big Papi. At best, they come away a wash on the deal; at worse, there are now bigger holes in both the batting order, less options from the bench and a dire lack of arms in the 'pen.

But after sleeping on it and reading some organizational insight from The Globe's Nick Carfaldo, it was apparent that this move was for the future good of the team. Manny definitely wanted out of Boston (based on his numerous quotables) and decided to hold his breath until he got his way. At least Bay is on the hook for one more year and is a total and direct opposite of a malcontent. In terms of fielding and base-running, Bay will be a solid upgrade; albeit not as adventurous or lackadaisical as the once patroller of The Wall's front lawn.

It's very hard to see a future 1st ballot HOF go to the Red Sox - Left Coast Division but it was obvious it will be the best for all in involved. The Sox can now concentrate on completing in the very tough AL playoff race, The Pirates start their perpetual Building for the Future (which they been doing since 1993) and the Dodgers get a solid clean-up hitter with so many quirks that the only place he could fit in is one where fantasy and reality are in constant flux.

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"Just drivin around in John Voight's car.."

"It isn't the end of the world that I'm selling my car."

Are you in the market for a formerly-owned car and don't care what may or may not have happened in it? Have approximately $50 grand laying around that's looking for a good home? Lastly, are you an eBay member in good standing? Well sir or madam, I've got the opportunity of a lifetime for you. It seems that due to the recent success of selling his BBQ grill on the eBay, Manny Ramirez has decided to part with his '06 Chrysler 300M STR8 using the internet auction warehouse according to Jerry Nasif, the person who is handling the car sale for the Red Sox slugger.

The car comes standard with the following added features: 22-inch rims, chrome as far as the eye can see and a customer grill. Plus, Nasif says that Manny will throw in "a trunk full of autographed items, a jersey, bat and ball, four tickets to a future Red Sox game and a meet-and-greet with Manny to talk about the car." But no word on who's gonns pay for the gas.

Are you worried about a high starting bid and a expensive reserve? Fuggetaboutit. "...Nasif said he will start the bidding at $5,000 and won’t set a reserve. But he expects the ride to sell for something in the neighborhood of $50,000..."“It’s probably worth around $35,000,” he said. “But we’ll get an extra $10,000 or so because it was Manny’s.”" Because, as you know, celebrity is all about the Benjamins.

Are you scared about seeing tons of fake bids in order to artifically raise the price of this wonderous piece of American machinery? Fuggetaboutit. "We are only working with bidders who have 100 percent positive feedback on eBay,” Nasif said. “That way people can’t just register to bid on this.” So, too bad for those eBayers who have been screwed by a vindictive seller who gave you a negative becuase you were one day late with your payment.

In other words, for those of you who have the disposable cash and the eBay cred, this car is practically yours for the taking. Then you will really know what is like for Manny to be Manny. At least when he's driving; not running the base paths.

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