Money Is Key With Manny

A representative for Boston slugger Manny Ramirez reportedly informed Red Sox owner John Henry on Friday that Ramirez wants to be traded, and the outfielder’s agent said earlier this month that the Angels would be “the most attractive option” should Ramirez reiterate his desire to play elsewhere.

But any potential deal with the Angels would probably hinge on Boston’s willingness to absorb a significant chunk of Ramirez’s contract, which guarantees $57 million over the next three years, or to take a hefty contract, such as first baseman Darin Erstad’s $8.5 million or center fielder Steve Finley’s $7 million for 2006, in return.

Another potential sticking point in trade talks: The Red Sox are known to covet Angel right-hander Ervin Santana, who went 12-8 with a 4.65 earned-run average in 23 starts, and shortstop prospect Brandon Wood, who hit 43 home runs and drove in 115 runs for Class-A Rancho Cucamonga, and those are the two young players the Angels would least want to part with.

General Manager Bill Stoneman said the Angel payroll -- about $97 million in 2005 -- would “probably be a little higher in 2006,” and with the contracts of Tim Salmon, Jarrod Washburn, Paul Byrd and Bengie Molina expiring, the Angels could shed $24.5 million from the 2005 payroll.

But with $73 million committed to nine players under contract for 2006 and the Angels needing an estimated $16 million to retain the 14 players who are eligible for arbitration or under team control, the Angels already have about $89 million committed to their 2006 payroll, not counting Molina and Byrd.

So, the Angels couldn’t add Ramirez’s $19-million salary without trimming payroll. The Angels also plan to make a strong bid to sign free-agent slugger Paul Konerko, whose price tag -- projected in the $12-million-a-year range -- and emotional baggage are considerably lighter than the quirky and unpredictable Ramirez.

But if Konerko re-signs with the World Series champion Chicago White Sox or signs elsewhere, the Angels, whose inconsistent offense was prone to repeated dry spells in 2005, could feel compelled to pursue Ramirez, who hit .292 with 45 home runs and 144 RBIs in 2005 after batting .308 with 43 homers and 130 RBIs in 2004.

Ramirez, 33, has asked for trades in each of the past four seasons, but according to the Boston Globe, Gene Mato, one of Ramirez’s representatives, told Henry on Friday that Ramirez will not report to spring training if his wish to be dealt is not met.

Mato also reportedly told Henry that Ramirez might decide during the process of being shopped that he wishes to remain with the Red Sox.

“It has nothing to do with us,” Stoneman said of Ramirez’s trade request. “He’s under contract with the Boston Red Sox. That’s where it lies.”

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The Atlanta Braves named Roger McDowell their pitching coach, replacing Leo Mazzone. McDowell, who pitched for 12 years in the major leagues, was pitching coach of the Dodgers’ triple-A affiliate at Las Vegas the last two seasons.... The San Diego Padres received permission to interview Dodger third base coach Glenn Hoffman for the same job.

Associated Press contributed to this report.