Ramirez/Clement for Tejada/(prospect or Matos) (as reported in the Boston Globe) doesn’t make any sense for Baltimore unless Boston throws a TON of money in the deal.

Baltimore would be taking on approximately $69M in Manny’s contract over three years (including deferred comp) plus $19M remaining on Clement’s two years. PLUS Manny could (as a condition of the trade require his option years $20M each in 09 and 10 to be picked up) PLUS Clement can earn additional incentives totaling roughly $3M. That’s a minimum of $64M over the next two years (for Manny and an “average” pitcher), plus a guaranteed $24M in 2008, plus the potential for $40M more in 2009 and 2010 for the rest of Manny’s contract. So to recap $88M in guaranteed money over 3 years, + $40M in potential options on Manny’s contract that he could require be exercised to approve the deal.

In the meantime, Boston would be taking on Tejada’s contract (which has roughly $54M remaining) $10M 2006, $12M 2007, $13M 2008, $13M 2009 + $6M in deferred comp).
Matos made only $1M last year.

Tejada’s numbers in Boston over the last three years are impressive .383 AVG, .437 OBP, .713 SLG 1.150 OPS plus he is in love with Ortiz. His Camden numbers are very stromng but not as good as his Fenway numbers .301 Avg, .361 OBP, .548 Slg, .909 OPS.

Manny’s Camden Yards numbers are significantly lower over the last three years when compared to his Fenway numbers. Last three years at Camden Yards .304 AVG, .400 OBP, .457 SLG, .857 OPS compared to .318 AVG, .422 OBP, .612 SLG , 1.034 OPS at Fenway.

So in the final analysis this is what the teams would get.

Boston – Tejada (SS) and Matos (CF) and roughly $19.5M in savings in both 06 and 07, $11M savings in 08, and Tejada at $13M in 09. Tejada a more dedicated player happy to be with Ortiz, a gamer, never misses a day of work, and a great Fenway hitter.

Baltimre – Manny (LF) and Clement (P) at an additional salary obligation of $51 Million (not even counting if Manny requires his $40M in options to be exercised.). Baltimore gets Manny being Manny on a team without D. Ortiz. Plus they would need a shortstop and possibly a centerfielder.

When you consider that Manny’s guaranteed $$ over the next 3 years is $69M and Tejada over the same 3 years is only $37M, there is no way the deal should get done. Manny is not 2X the player Tejada is, but that is what Baltimore would be paying.