SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic (AP) – David Ortiz thinks Manny Ramirez won’t be in left field for the Red Sox come opening day.
“Manny is not returning to Boston,” Ortiz said during a news conference at the Office of the Sports Secretary of the Dominican Republic.
Ramirez, who hit 45 homers and had 144 RBIs last season, has asked the Red Sox to explore a trade because he’s uncomfortable living in Boston.
“Manny lives a difficult situation that only he and his family know about, and he does not want to play there,” Ortiz said.
Last July, the Red Sox and New York Mets held trade talks about the outfielder, and both sides agreed they didn’t get very far. The Los Angeles Angels, who want a power hitter, are viewed as a possibility.
“I spoke with him last week before he left for Brazil and he told me that he wants to go to a team in the West,” Ortiz said.
Ramirez is owed $57 million during the next three years and has the right to block trades, so the Red Sox and his agent pledged to work together.
“I found out that they are doing whatever is possible to trade him,” Ortiz said after returning home from Boston.
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