Two sources have told ESPN that the complicated three-team deal what would send Manny Ramirez from Boston to Florida is all but dead.
The deadline to trade players without going to waivers passed Thursday at 4 p.m. ET. As a player with 10 years in the majors and five with the same team, Ramirez has the right to veto any deal. A deal would have to be in the hands of the Commissioner's office by 4 p.m., though it could be announced later in the day.
The potential deal, which exploded in the baseball rumor mill Wednesday night, would have sent Ramirez from the Red Sox to the Marlins, included the Pittsburgh Pirates, who were reportedly considering sending Jason Bay to Boston. The Pirates would have received prospects. Names included outfielder Jeremy Hermida or outfielder Josh Willingham, plus pitchers.
ESPN's Peter Gammons was told by a source close to the negotiations Florida reportedly asked Boston for a cash outlay beyond the $7 million to cover Ramirez's contract in addition to two prospects. That would essentially add up to the Red Sox trading Ramirez, $9 million and two prospects for Pittsburgh's Jason Bay.
As of Thursday morning, Ramirez told ESPNdeportes.com's Enrique Rojas that he hasn't heard anything about a possible trade.
"Nobody has called me from Boston, and neither has my agent [Scott Boras]," Ramírez said. "The only thing I know of a possible trade is what I've seen in ESPN."
SI.com reported that Ramirez has approved a possible trade to the Marlins, but no agreement has been reached. However, Ramirez told ESPNdeportes.com that he hasn't approved a trade to Florida. Ramirez said he would call Boras, to check on SI.com's story.
A source told ESPN.com's Jayson Stark that the Red Sox, Pirates and Marlins all seem unsure why the deal fell apart. The source said the Pirates are blaming the Marlins, the Marlins are blaming the Pirates, and the Red Sox aren't too happy with either of them.
Wednesday night, as trade rumors swirled, Ramirez told ESPNdeportes.com: "The Red Sox don't deserve a player like me. During my years here, I've seen how they [the Red Sox] have mistreated other great players when they didn't want them to try to turn the fans against them.
"The Red Sox did the same with guys like Nomar Garciaparra and Pedro Martinez, and now they do the same with me. Their goal is to paint me as the bad guy," Ramirez added. "I love Boston fans, but the Red Sox don't deserve me. I'm not talking about money. Mental peace has no price, and I don't have peace here."