Contrary to the denials that made the rounds Monday, officials from both teams say the Mets have contacted the Red Sox about Manny Ramirez and are interested in pursuing a deal for him if Boston decides to make him available.

The Red Sox suspect that GM Omar Minaya wants Ramirez more than Mets ownership does. Regardless, the Mets are reluctant to part with top-prospect talent in exchange for outfielders like Adam Dunn, Raul Ibanez and Randy Winn, but they (rightly) consider Ramirez a far superior hitter to those in that group, and they would discuss players in a Ramirez deal that they would not discuss in others.

The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was “totally just jerking Graziano’s chain”, said a deal was probably too complicated to get completed before Thursday’s deadline.

You know, I like a Manny to the Mets rumor. It makes a fan feel good. And why shouldn’t it? Ya figure you put that little rumor under your pillow at night, the Dan Graziano might come by and leave a quarter, am I right?

The point is, how do you know Dan Graziano isn’t a crazy glue sniffer? “Build model airplanes” says Graziano; well, we’re not buying it. He sneaks into your house once, that’s all it takes. The next thing you know, there’s money missing off the dresser, and your daughter’s knocked up. I seen it a hundred times.

Tommy Boy quotes aside, Yes Omar loves Manny. You know who else he also loves? Sammy Sosa. Do you see Sammy Sosa playing right field in orange and blue?

In actual news, MLB.com is reporting that the Angels and Braves are close to completing a deal with Mark Teixeira which at least keeps him out of the National League East and the NL in general.

As fun as Manny Mania is, the Mets desperately need another arm in the bullpen or we are going to be watching a lot more five run eighth innings. If Mets management is dead set against trading a prospect, it’s going to be an awfully long August and September. Lets hope Eddie Kunz gets major league ready fast.

For right now, anyway, in Omar I trust.

Oh, there’s a big surprise. That’s incredible. I think I’m gonna have a heart attack and die of not surprise! – Me, after hearing about Alou’s injury

Alou’s out with an injury until mid-May. Should Alou fall off the toilet and break his hip or strain his oblique playing canasta, he could be out until the All-Star Break or longer. Moises Alou is this year’s Pedro Martinez: He might be back at some point, but don’t count on it. It’s time to find someone else to shoulder the load.

I love Endy Chavez, but he isn’t an everyday corner outfielder. Marlon Anderson and Damien Easley platoon? Yuck. Fernando Martinez might see an August call up, but it will be a cup of coffee, at most a doughnut. The Mets, who have no one in the system to press into immediate service, must look outside the organization.

I would write a long rant about trading a young outfielder with potential for a sub par outfielder who strikes out too much and offensively challenged catcher who’s lucky if he hit his weight, but that would be counterproductive. Instead, let’s see who’s out there…

Xavier Nady- Xman would be the ideal candidate. X is one of us, he’s produced well since he left, and when he did leave bringing back Bert Hernandez and Ollie Perez, many teams perceived the offense (the Mets denied it) became susceptible to left-handed pitching. That’s not to say X’s absence was the sole reason for the Mets 2006 late season lag. Injury to Sanchez, El Duque and Pedro had a lot to do with it. None the less, to get X back seems like writing an old wrong in some strange fan-logic. Unfortunately, I don’t think that’s much of an incentive for the Pirates to give up X. Pittsburgh would likely value the outfielder’s bat for which they gave up a 15 game winner as a throw in, in Ollie Perez. I don’t see the Pirates giving back Nady no matter how many times you bring up Jason Bay. Bringing Nady back would be idea, however it’s a longshot.

Barry Bonds- The Mets usually don’t sign players I hate, Guillermo Mota being the glaring exception. Besides, replacing an injury prone leftfielder with an injury prone outfielder with a public image problem isn’t really practical. It isn’t happening.

Jeromy Burnitz: Sure he retired about a year ago and bats lefty but as a force of habit I included him in the list of candidates. I always had a hunch that above the GM’s desk at Shea hung a sign that read “When in Doubt, Sign Jeromy Burnitz.” – Bill Shea Stupid Joke

Sammy Sosa- See Barry Bonds except with less talent chemical engineering and less surliness Worn out joke

Nelson Cruz- I stole this idea from Ketchup on your Ice Cream, a great site with the most confusing name on the internet. Call him the Lastings Milledge of the Texas Rangers Organization. Cruz came to Texas via trade from the Brewers organization along with Carlos Lee in exchange for Coco Cordero, Julian Cordero, Kevin Mench and Laynce Nix. Cruz, at the time of the trade was considered a top prospect who possibly could have become the Rangers everyday centerfielder. Last year during spring training GM Jon Daniels, in an interview with 1310 AM in Dallas, said that Cruz had the most power in the organization. One year later it is uncertain whether Cruz makes the team over Jason Botts when the team breaks camp in Surprise, AZ. Texas has lost the services of starter Brandon McCarthy for at least 4-6 weeks due to inflammation in his elbow. Jorge Sosa would likely be attractive to the Rangers as he is moderately priced and has been able to serve in duel capacity both out of the bullpen and as a starter. There is a greater chance that Texas would trade their once high ceiling-ed outfielder than there is that Pittsburgh would part with Nady. The Rangers have seemingly given up on Cruz. In response to an inquiry regarding trade negotiations GM Jon Daniels was quoted as saying, “Lonestar who? Who gave you this number?”

Darkhorse

Note: Nelson Cruz originally signed with the New York Mets as a non-drafted free agent on February 23, 1998, which just happened to be the day the Mets signed Joe Orsulak to a minor league contact. (it sounded more impressive in my head)

Most likely we are going to see a boring combo of Endy, Marlon Anderson and Easley and slug through the first two months of the season hoping to get maximum production out of Beltran and Wright. Until Alou comes back and then gets hurt again, then we can play this game again. Favorite