Losing Manny - Does it hurt the Sox?

A day after the trade deadline has passed, there are many fans of the game (and members of the media) that think the Red Sox really had their hand forced and got screwed. Well...I agree with half of that statement.

Yes, I believe Manny did all he could to force Theo Epstein and the Sox into finding a new home for their Hall of Fame bound slugger. Clearly, Manny didn't want to be there anymore, for whatever reason, and he got his wish.

Now...the second part...did the Sox get screwed? Can they possibly fill the hole left by Manny with Jason Bay? I say there's a damn good chance they don't miss a beat.

Does Jason Bay strike fear into the hearts of opposing managers and pitchers? I don't know...maybe...a little bit. Not to the level that Manny does, but Bay is no slouch. Bay is in his prime, Manny is past his - or at least he's moving past it. Does Bay in his prime compare to Manny in his??? No way. However....does Bay in his prime compare to the Manny of the last couple of years? YES!! He does. Very favorably. The problem with people making statements like "the Sox got screwed"? Those people generally look at the names involved in the deal - and not the numbers.

Let's take a look at those numbers, comparing Manny vs. Bay from 2006 to this point of the 2008 season - which is basically a little over two and a half seasons:

Manny Ramirez, 2006-7/31/2008:

396 hits, 82 doubles, 75 HR, 229 runs, 258 RBI

Jason Bay, 2006-7/31/2008:

407 hits, 77 doubles, 78 HR, 251 runs, 257 RBI


Didn't think it'd be that close, did you? Bay has more hits, more homers, more runs, and only one less RBI. The number of doubles is virtually the same as well, with Manny winning out by a whopping five.....

So...I'll ask you again - did the Sox get screwed?

Well, they moved a guy who's seen his better days (and who carries a bad attitude), for a guy who's six years younger and is a hell of a hitter. Oh, and I didn't even mention that Bay has a good attitude AND he can even play defense! He can also run a bit, in five seasons (including this one, which we all know is not over), he's got 50 steals.

I'd argue that the Sox dumped an aging slugger and a lot of salary for a guy who will produce for them over the next several years (if they choose to hang on to him).

Nice job, Theo.




Click HERE to see more discussion on this topic.