Looking Back: Who Won the Manny Ramirez Trade?

With Manny Ramirez still out there in free agency limbo, it makes me wonder.

Who won the Manny Ramirez trade?

Let's see what each side gave up:

Boston:

Manny Ramirez, LF
Craig Hansen, RP
Brandon Moss, LF

Los Angeles:

Andy LaRoche, 3B
Bryan Morris, P

Pittsburgh:

Jason Bay, LF

In terms of giving things up, it looks like the Dodgers won. They gave up a minor league pitcher who posted a 5.02 ERA at the A level, and a third baseman who hit .166 at the Major League level.

In terms of what they gave up, it looks like the Pirates lost. They gave up a two-time All-Star left fielder, who was a very good hitter. In return, they got aforementioned pitcher and third baseman, Morris and LaRoche, respectively.

But what about what each team received? Can Boston be credited with losing a distraction in the gain column? Either way, here is the net gain for each team after the trade:

Boston:

Jason Bay, LF

Los Angeles:

Manny Ramirez, LF

Pittsburgh:

Andy LaRoche, 3b
Bryan Morris, P

In terms of return, it looks like Boston and Los Angeles both won. Boston got a hitter who was great down the stretch, and Los Angeles got a hitter who caught fire down the stretch.

Jason Bay was such a useful player to have for the Red Sox. In the playoffs, Bay hit .341.

Manny Ramirez was even more useful for the Dodgers. Down the stretch, Manny hit .396, with 17 home runs, and 53 runs batted in. Even better, Ramirez hit .500 in the NLDS, and .533 in the NLCS.

In terms of return, Pittsburgh is the clear loser. They acquired aforementioned third baseman and pitcher, while Boston and LA both got great hitters.

The clear winner to this trade? Boston. Boston, because, they got more than two months out of Jason Bay. Bay is under contract for all of 2009, and on the other side, Los Angeles has two contract offers, which have been rejected by Manny Ramirez this winter.

Pittsburgh is the clear loser to this trade. If Andy LaRoche doesn't turn it around this year, fans are really going to start questioning this front office.