Manny Watch, Bay Watch and More

I got more backlash than Don Imus normally gets for his yearly racist comment when I said on Thursday that the Red Sox trade involving Manny Ramirez and Jason was the worst trade in Red Sox history.

Some serious comments came my way. But I stand by it. I'll explain myself more clearly now that the buzz has hit its stride.

In retrospect, Bay is probably the best player the Red Sox could get so late in the trading game. And with Manny acting the way he was, he had to go. But the reason I find this trade so seriously devoid of common knowledge and intelligent movement of personnel is because it didn't have to happen.

The Red Sox did not deal with this situation the way they should have, and it cost them one of the greatest hitters of our generation. Sean McAdam, one of the best baseball reporters around, wrote in the Projo on Friday that Sox veterans told Theo Epstein that Manny had to go. Fans were clamoring for someone new, someone happy to be in Boston (see: Jason Bay).

But the situation went too far. Whatever it was the Sox management did in the past years when Manny asked to be traded wasn't used this time. Any solutions they came up with came too late. And the last solution -- the final deal -- involved losing two high prospects, too, along with the Sox best player. In return, two teams in the National League got better: the Dodgers will contend for the NL West crown, while the Pirates will be competitive in 2010. Meanwhile, the Red Sox got an above-average player in return.

I thought I made that clear on Thursday.

I do not disagree with the dealing of Manny after all that had happened. I disagree with the ability of the Red Sox to deal with Manny before it went that far.

It was disappointing to see him stoop to the levels he stooped.

But it was more disappointing to see the Red Sox stoop even lower and make an unprepared move that will yield very little in the long run.

Sure, it soothed the current ailment -- a mouthy superstar causing problems in the clubhouse. But it also saddled the Red Sox with a cheap imitation of a Hall of Fame leftfielder. And now they'll have to deal with it.

Manny Watch: Since the trade on Thursday, Manny is ... 8 for 13, with two home runs, 5 RBIs and four runs scored.

Bay Watch: Since the trade on Thursday, Jay Bay is ... 4 for 11, with a homer, 3 RBIs, six runs scored and a triple. Not bad. Not bad at all. All honeymoons come to an end, Boston.

Other news and notes

-- Memo to Brett Favre: Go away and shut up. Now. Thanks.

-- Props to Jed Lowrie for a big game on Sunday.

-- Ever wonder what happened to former Minnesota coach Clem Haskins? Here's your answer.

-- One parting thought: Wow. Just when I thought our society couldn't get any more pathetic. It's nice to be in Washington. The celebrities -- politicians -- get in way more trouble.