Twenty-one years ago today, the Red Sox signed Manny Ramirez
When former Red Sox general manager Dan Duquette wanted a specific player, he made it a priority to try and land that player. Back during the winter of 2000, Duquette and the Red Sox were heavily connected to right-handed starter Mike Mussina and outfielder Manny Ramirez.
Boston was looking to add another arm to their rotation to go along with Pedro Martinez. Unfortunately, the Yankees won the Mussina sweepstakes, landing the former Orioles’ ace. New York signed Mussina to a six-year, $88.5 million deal.
Once Duquette was officially out of the Mussina sweepstakes, he would turn his attention to Ramirez.
The former Indians slugger was set to land a massive contract. Following the Rangers and Alex Rodriguez mega 10-year, $252 million deal, Ramirez was set to become the games second $20 million player.
After a battle between the Indians for Ramirez’s services, Duquette landed one of the markets big bats. The Red Sox and Ramirez agreed to a massive eight-year, $160 million deal.
“The competition between the Red Sox and Cleveland Indians was at the end game stage late last night, and there were strong indications that the Sox were not going to get their man yet again,” said Gordon Edes back on December 11, 2000 following the Ramirez signing.
The Indians weren’t willing to pay the price Boston offered for Ramirez. Cleveland’s initial offer for Ramirez was seven-years, $119 million. Ramirez’s agent Jeff Moorad respectfully declined that offer.
Duquette signing Ramirez set a precedent in Boston. The Red Sox were true players in free agency and were ready to compete against the Yankees.
Also, in the process, Duquette showed the Boston fan base and media he had the ability to land big ticket players.
“The Fellowship of the Miserable is simply unable to come up with anything negative about this latest Red Sox move,” wrote Globe columnist Dan Shaughnessy. He later added of the Red Sox general manager, “Dan Duquette has gone from doofus to genius in less than 24 hours.”
Ramirez’s bat was as advertised in Boston. He demolished 274 home runs for Boston in 1,083 regular season games. Ramirez was part of two World Series championships.
Manny being Manny was fun in Boston. He’ll forever be etched in Sox lore and will forever be one of the greatest right-handed hitters in the game.
