Hard to believe, but pitchers and catchers report to the Red Sox minor league facility in Fort Myers six weeks from yesterday. The rest of the team will arrive shortly thereafter.

Of course, we still have no idea which players will be on that team.

For the first time, it’s starting to look like Manny Ramirez will be part of that team. This week, Manny told ESPNdeportes.com (the sports network’s Spanish Web site) that he wants to come back to Boston.

“There will be no trade,” said Manny. “I’m staying in Boston, where I’m familiar with the system and where I have a lot of friends, especially David Ortiz.”

Of course, Manny’s agent doesn’t see it that way. Greg Genske told FoxSports.com that Manny still wants to go.

“If Boston is able to work out a trade with Baltimore or another team, Manny is still open to making a move,” Genske said.

Just another case of Manny’s agent being Manny’s agent.

These comments came after several days of reported discussions between the Sox and Orioles that would send Manny and Matt Clement to Baltimore for former MVP Miguel Tejada. The Orioles apparently rejected that proposal and, according to the Baltimore Sun, wanted the Sox to “sweeten the pot.”

I know fans would love Tejada, a great hitter who plays every game and is a true clubhouse leader. He’s one of the few hitters who could come close to taking the place of Manny. Along with David Ortiz, the shortstop would make Fenway Park a fun place to be every night.

Still, the Sox were already offering too much. Fans were not enamored with Clement last year, who wilted under the late-season pressure and could not command his impressive stuff.

That said, he won 13 games and was thrust into the top of the rotation once it became apparent that Curt Schilling would not be a consistent starter until late in the season.

Put Clement in a deep rotation – behind Josh Beckett, Tim Wakefield and a healthy Schilling – and let him surprise people. Let him “hide in the weeds” and baffle hitters with his movement.

In other words, don’t trade him just because of one mediocre season here. Not unless you’re getting something valuable in return. Tejada is a lot, and would fill a big hole at short, but this deal would open a hole in left and make the pitching staff weaker.

While we’re at it, let’s not give David Wells away for anything less than fair value. A year ago, the Sox traded Dave Roberts away because he was unhappy. In mid-season, they allowed Jay Payton to demand a trade out. Either of those guys would look good in a Boston uniform today.

The Sox have a solid team defensively right now. If they sign free agent shortstop Alex Gonzalez to go along with first baseman J.T. Snow, they’d have an excellent defensive infield. And, with no fewer than seven starters (Schilling, Beckett, Wells, Clement, Wakefield, Papelbon, and Arroyo) they’d have the deepest rotation in the American League.

The Red Sox should make one last stab at Tejada, packaging a top prospect or two with Clement or Arroyo. Then you’d be adding a bat like Tejada’s to a lineup featuring Ortiz and Ramirez. With all due respect to Jeter, A-Rod, and Sheffield, it’d be the best Murderer’s Row in the league.

The Sox have already improved their pitching and defense this offseason. Now it’s time to solidify the lineup. Let’s hope they don’t blow up their strengths in an effort to improve their biggest weakness.

Lewiston native Tom Caron is a NESN studio host for Red Sox telecasts.