Omar Minaya failed once again to bring Manny Ramirez to Queens this week. "I checked in with Theo (Epstein) a couple of days ago, and we did talk about some things," Minaya said in a conference call. "What Boston was looking for, we could not provide." Minaya said Epstein wanted a "major-league ready outfielder," something in short supply with the Mets. Epstein ultimately found that outfielder in the Pirates' Jason Bay, who was sent to Boston as part of the deal.