While analyzing the different deals on offer for the likes of Adam Dunn, Mike Cameron, Kevin Millwood and Billy Wagner, the NY Post’s Joel Sherman throws the following zinger out there :

Rival executives say Omar Minaya is obsessed to find the Mets a power bat at first or right field either in this trade market or in the offseason. Paul Konerko is a free agent whom Minaya likes. But the most intriguing player will again be Manny Ramirez.

Just like he did with Sammy Sosa, Minaya has an infatuation with Ramirez’s bat. Ramirez’s disappearance into the Green Monster while the game was in play last week just added to the litany of reasons why the Red Sox are tired of his act even with his prodigious offense. Remember, this was a guy they put on waivers two years ago and were willing to give up for nothing.

After this season, Ramirez will have three years at $57 million left that will take a thickening, non-defender to age 36. Tom Glavine, who is almost certain to vest his $10 million option for next year, would accept a trade to Boston. Are there the roots of a trade there?

The “thickening, non-defender”, in case you missed it, made a fine play, bare-handing a carom off the left field wall, holding Paul Konkerko to a single in the 9th inning of last night’s 3-0 victory, and an equally sparkling running grab of Timo Perez’ warning-track liner a two batters later to have Curt Schilling sighing in relief. Do the Red Sox wish Manny would acquaint himself with Planet Earth every now and then? Most definetly. Are they ready to trade one of the AL’s most deadly hitters for Tom Glavine’s 84 MPH fastball? I doubt it.

Today’s WFAN broadcast of the Mets/Dodgers battle at Shea has included some from Sportsphone nostalgia from Gary Cohen and Howie Rose. Young CSTB readers may be sickened to learn that in the era before the advent of mobile internet, otherwise rational adults would drop quarter after quarter in pay telephones (while obstensibly attending dinner dates, funerals, court proceedings, etc.) in order to hear score updates from the sporting universe.

There’s also the subject of 976-PEEE, but neither Gary nor Howie saw fit to talk about that.

Not to be outdone, Charley Steiner of LA’s UPN 13 helpfully informed viewers that Boston’s Bronson Arroyo was named after the late actor, Charles. “My mom named me Steve because she liked the name,” added Steve Lyons, answering a question no one asked.

P Scott Erickson, relieving in the bottom of the 8th with the Mets leading 4-0, is in the words of Steiner, “really settling into his new role, nicely.” Yes, the role otherwise known as mopping up.