Why Manny's being Manny this year

For eight years, Manny Ramirez has had all the bargaining power. He signed an eight-year $160 million dollar deal that was guaranteed through 2008. If he didn't want to play, the Red Sox could trade him, or release him or do whatever. But it didn't matter, because Manny was still going to get paid.

Things are different this season. Manny has no bargaining power. 

He doesn't want the Red Sox to pick up his option for next season, because he will have to continue to work hard to earn the next option on his contract. Then he will have to keep working hard to earn his new contract when that's all said and done. Basically, Manny could be facing three consecutive contract years. That's a lot of pressure, and a lot of work for a guy who hasn't had to deal with this for eight years.

So what's the solution? Surprisingly there may actually be one. Even more surprisingly, Manny seems to have figured it out.

First, I must point out that Manny signed on to be represented by Scott Boras. Boras did not negotiate the eight-year deal with the Red Sox, or the subsequent club options. Therefore, he does not see a dime from Manny's contract until he is freed from the Red Sox. This is important.

According to Peter Gammons, Ramirez thinks he can get a four-year deal on the open market worth up to $100 million. However ridiculous this may seem for a 36-year-old with declining skills, it is clearly what Boras has indicated is possible for Manny.

However, Manny can only get this deal if he is a free agent. And he can only get this deal if he shows his skills haven't diminished. It seems like a paradox, but it doesn't have to be.

If Manny causes a disturbance in the Red Sox clubhouse, by complaining about anything and everything, he is counting on the club getting fed up with his act. If management gets so fed up with his act that they decide to let him go at the end of the season, he can be free without his numbers declining. 

This would lead to a perfect storm for Manny to cash in this offseason. 

Believe it or not, Manny's not dumb. He's actually making a very savvy business decision by causing a stink this year. 

Maybe I'm giving him too much credit. But maybe, just maybe, Manny is being stupid like a fox.