GM Omar Minaya just spoke with the media and confirmed he tried to swing a deal for Manny Ramirez this week but was rebuffed by Red Sox counterpart Theo Epstein because the Mets didn’t have a major-league ready outfielder to offer in return. “I checked in with Theo 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.”

Boston turned around and traded the disgruntled Ramirez this afternoon to the Dodgers in a three-way deal that included Pirates outfielder Jason Bay going to the Red Sox.

Minaya added that the Mets checked in with the Pirates about Bay this week but were told Pittsburgh wanted a “premium-plus” prospect that Minaya was unwilling to give up.