![](\"http:\/\/cache.boston.com\/images\/sports\/redsox\/2005\/04_22_05_manny_thumb.jpg\")
For those who say “Yes,” the reasons are simple and straight-forward.\u00a0 His stats<\/a> are mind-boggling.\u00a0 His 162-game averages are as follows:\u00a0 .313 batting average, .409 on-base percentage, .550 slugging percentage, 40 HRs, 132 RBIs.\u00a0 Plus, he always hits in the clutch (probably because he does not recognize the difference between a “big” situation and just another at-bat).\u00a0 As good as Pat Burrell has been, there is no question that Manny is a serious <\/em>upgrade in leftfield.\u00a0 Plus, Manny has a deep respect for Charlie Manuel, from their days together in Cleveland, so between Charlie and the Phillies contending ways, Manny would probably welcome a shot in Philly.<\/p>\nFor those who say “No,” the argument is much more contextually-based and subtle.\u00a0 This year, he has shown to be, at the very least, a minor distraction, and, as some may argue, a cancer, in the clubhouse.\u00a0 Even the hall-of-famer and Red Sox fanatic, Peter Gammons, calls Manny a “tired act<\/a>,” and blatantly calls him out for being “all about the money” and caring little about his Red Sox “family.”\u00a0 The opponents may also make the financial argument, in that Manny is convinced that his 36-year old body is worth $100 million dollars beginning next year.\u00a0 This brings up another interesting situation for the Phils because if they are going to continue to get production in leftfield, they are probably going to have to shell out big bucks this offseason, be it Manny, Burrell, or another available stud.\u00a0 Or, we may be looking at Jayson Werth hitting 5th next year.<\/p>\n So, what do I think?\u00a0 Honestly, I think it depends on what (other than Burrell) the Red Sox want in return for Manny.\u00a0 If it is a straight-up deal, with maybe a marginal prospect thrown in, I think the Phillies have to do that.\u00a0 If it costs the Phils one of their major prospects (Carrasco, Marson, etc.), then I would probably lean towards the four-year younger Pat Burrell.\u00a0 However, I think if you hooked me up to a lie-detector today and asked me how I would feel with a Manny Ramirez in my outfield, no matter what the cost, I would probably be doing cartwheels.\u00a0 In my lifetime, I have seen three hitters that I legitimately feared<\/em> whenever they came to the plate against a team for which I rooted–Barry Bonds, Albert Pujols, and Manny Ramirez.\u00a0 With all due respect to the Mark McGwires, Ken Griffeys, and Chipper Joneses of the world, it is a different level of fear.\u00a0 And, I think that if the Phillies do have a legitimate shot to land Ramirez, they have to do it.<\/p>\n And, just think how entertaining it would be–on many levels…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Apparently, this might happen.\u00a0 The Phillies might be able to acquire the notorious Manny Ramirez– a.k.a. the best right-handed hitter since Willie Mays.\u00a0 This has to be good, right?\u00a0 Right?!? For those who say “Yes,” the reasons are simple and … Continue reading