Does This Surprise ANYONE???

This, from Sports Illustrated. It should surprise no one. I'll have a thing or three to say directly after you read this.......

NAPLES, Fla. -- "In what one competing general manager calls an "annual event,'' the Boston Red Sox are again listening to trade offers for Manny Ramirez.
"We're keeping all options open, and we'll see what's out there,'' Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein told SI.com.
Teams familiar with the Red Sox's thinking say this will be no sort of fire sale and that they would want equal value back for Ramirez since his whopping $160 million contract is down to a very palatable two years for about $40 million. Discounting deferred monies, the actual annual value is actually only around $17 million. In six seasons with the Sox, Manny Ramirez has amassed 234 homers and 712 RBIs
While Ramirez's quirks may be wearying, the Red Sox recognize his importance to the lineup and are obviously going for the gusto this year, as evidenced by their monster $51.1 million bid to win negotiating rights for Japanese ace Daisuke Matsuzaka, not to mention their aggressive pursuit of free agent J.D. Drew.
"It would take a really creative deal'' to move Ramirez, Epstein said."

Peter here, and that last Theo quote says so much. The Red Sox, now that Manny and his irreplaceable thunderous bat and perfectly good leftfield defense (at Fenway) are RELATIVELY affordable, need not compromise. If a team out there wants
Manny, and many covet him, MAKE THEM PAY. He has Papi's back in our batting order, and he will not nor ever WILL come cheap. Think twice before you make the Boston Red Sox an offer. I'll put it differently. Buyers, BE PREPARED. There! That's exactly how I feel. How 'bout you?