The AL West rivals, according to a source close to the Red Sox left fielder, top the list of teams he wants to be traded to. Still, it is no secret around baseball that Ramirez has been known to change his mind and that his current desire to be traded could cool altogether.
The Angels were known to be on Ramirez™ list of desirable teams since last month but Seattle was not considered to be in play. A Mariners source said last night that the club has not been focused on Ramirez but trying to obtain a left-handed slugger to complement righties Adrian Beltre and Richie Sexson. It is not known why Ramirez is fond of Seattle, but familiarity with manager Mike Hargrove, who managed Ramirez in Cleveland, is likely a factor
Former Mets reliever Scott Strickland, who spent a portion of 2005 performing adequately for the PCL’s Round Rock Express, has signed a minor league contract with Pittsburgh.