"Loose lips sink ships." According to the Boston Red Sox brass, the organization's ship is airtight. The leaks are springing from elsewhere.
Red Sox officials are livid over a Boston Globe report that cited a team source saying Manny Ramirez repeated his request for a trade, The Boston Herald reported Sunday.
On Friday, general manager Theo Epstein told the Globe that it was "ridiculous" that details of private conversations were leaked. While not confirming or denying the report in Saturday's Boston Globe, team owner John Henry told the Herald in an e-mail that the source of the leak was not from the Red Sox.
"I echo Theo's remarks [Saturday] that deplore leaks to the media regarding private conversations," Henry wrote. "I was able to ascertain that [Saturday's] story on Manny did not come from the Red Sox."
A source on the Red Sox told the Herald the team was "furious" over Saturday's report.
According to the Globe, one of Ramirez's representatives told Henry that Ramirez again wanted to be sent to a different team and wouldn't report to spring training unless his wish to be dealt is met.
Ramirez has the veteran right -- he is a 10-5 player, meaning 10 years of continuous major league service, five with the same club -- to block a trade to a team he doesn't want to join, and Gene Mato, one of Ramirez' representatives, said the slugger might change his mind during the process, The Globe reported.
Ramirez is due $57 million from his $160 million, eight-year contract: $19 million in 2006, $18 million in 2007 and $20 million in 2008. The deal also includes team options for two additional seasons at $20 million annually.