By Alessandro

So.

When will Boston give Jason Bay the keys to the city?

Giving up Manny Ramirez - one of baseball’s most productive and feared hitters in the modern game - was seen as a some to be a ludicrous notion. The way many saw it, it was a small price to pay to put up with his behaviour so long as he produced. But the inflation on that price was spiraling out of control recently and the Red Sox determined as an organization it was time to cut Manny loose - though not his dreadlocks.

By all accounts, the trade was a popular one in the clubhouse. It was time to say good-bye. Manny was one step away from going Bobby Fischer on everyone.

Now Manny will be Manny in Los Angeles. It’s fine by me since I support the Dodgers.

In return, the Bosox landed a Canadian named Jason Bay. The Pittsburgh Pirates had earlier in the trade season unloaded another one of their top players in Xavier Nady to the New York Yankees and Bay was next on the block.

Bay is an excellent baseball player. Though he can’t possibly be asked to replace Manny Ramirez, he can be expected to play a vital role from here on in. Jason wasted no time settling in. In his first two games as a Red Sox, he’s been instrumental in two of Boston’s wins - including a three-run home run in the first inning against the Oakland A’s yesterday.

It remains to be seen how the trade all works out but so far Boston is sitting on the dock of the Bay whistling and enjoying life.