Wild Speculation: Manny Ramirez

Welcome to "Wild Speculation." Over the next three days leading up to the MLB trade deadline, SN's David Arnott will use this space to speculate over possible deals. And do so wildly.

Let's say you're Theo Epstein. Because you're Theo Epstein, you can do whatever you damn well please. Walk down Yawkey way drinking liquor outside a bag. Make it rain on the Green Line. Trade an iconic player. Two world championships, yada yada yada.

Your first order of business is deciding Manny Ramirez's fate. Assuming Manny really would accept a trade elsewhere (stupid ten-five rules, getting in Theo Epstein's way), there are really only several logical, reasonable, destinations for him.

FLUSHING
The Mets need an outfielder. Fernando Tatis is not the answer, no matter what Jerry Manuel says. Barry Bonds is probably a blob of cyanide Jell-o at this point. And Moises Alou should never be trusted to play healthy again. No matter how terrible Manny's defense, upgrading the left field bat from the likes of Tatis could swing a couple games over the rest of the season, and that's all the Mets really need as they fight with the Phils and Fish. If the Mets give up Fernando Martinez and Jon Niese, the deal gets done. Boston is still stacked enough to chase the Rays, and the Mets suddenly have a fourth amazin' hitter in the lineup to go with Reyes, Wright, and Beltran.

CHAVEZ RAVINE
The Dodgers need an outfielder. Andruw Jones is doing his best Laura Palmer impersonation this year, and Juan Pierre is always the wrong answer. For some reason, Ned Colletti has demonstrated he hates people under age 25, having spent big money on the likes of Luis Gonzalez and Nomar Garciaparra in order to block more talented, and essentially free, rookies like Andre Ethier and James Loney. Here's his chance to stick it to those meddlin' kids again. You're Theo Epstein, so you've gotta be salivating over the chance at a Manny-for-Matt Kemp trade. Kemp would immediately step in to left field and, considering his defense, would probably give you close to Manny's production over the course of the season. Take into account the salary gains, and it's a no-brainer. Going into next season, Kemp's ability to play center field might even make precious little underwhelming Jacoby Ellsbury expendable.

But, really, there's only one place for Manny to really go...

PIKE PLACE FISH MARKET
The Mariners could use another bat. Put Ibanez in right, Ichiro in center, and watch the money start rolling in as these guys tear the cover off the ball. Next season, the middle of the lineup could feature Manny, Ibanez, and Free Agent Slugger, striking fear into the hearts of American League West GMs everywhere. If you're Theo Epstein, all you ask in return is Adrian Beltre, who could ably replace Mike Lowell next season, while providing a bat off the bench and late innings defensive prowess this season, and Brandon Morrow, the kid the M's think will be a great reliever but who you, Theo Epstein, are smart enough to know should go back to the minors, stretch out his innings, and get back to the business of being a starter. It makes too much sense not to happen.

This post originally appeared on the Sporting Blog. For more, see The Sporting Blog Archives.