John Harper of the Daily News wrote an interesting column yesterday about the prospect of Manny Ramirez landing in the Bronx. Interesting because it overlooks the most important factor in acquiring Ramirez, which is this: The Yankees would once again be trying to reclaim the "eff you cup" in the Red Sox/Yankees rivalry. Ya know, the thing they tried to retain forever when they traded for A-Rod. And the thing they tried to reclaim (post 2004) when they signed Johnny Damon.

Did they really need those guys? No, they had more pressing needs at those respective times. But the Yankees can’t help themselves — they love trying to stick it to the Red Sox, and mostly because they think it will play well with fans. Once upon a time, that was certainly the case. But are A-Rod and Damon beloved Yankees? Far from it.

Harper says that adding Ramirez would be a boon to the Yankees lineup, especially if the Red Sox end up with Mark Teixeira. He says Manny would take some of the heat off A-Rod. He says Yankee fans should be willing to hold their noses about Manny Being Manny, since Ramirez is a proven clutch performer. It’s definitely grist for the mill, but if it comes to pass, it only proves one thing: The Red Sox are really in the minds of the Yankee brass, because they’ve essentially convinced them to acquire their own poison pill.

Why would the Yankees have limited interest in the 28-year-old Teixeira, which is what we’re hearing, but huge interest in Ramirez, who is a soon-to-be 37-year-old headcase? Wouldn’t it be wiser for the Yankees to acquire Teixeira to play first base, rather than signing Ramirez, which would give New York this outfield — Ramirez, Damon and Nady, i.e., quite possibly the worst fielding outfield in the history of the American League East?

Or did the Yankees paint themselves into a Tex-less corner by acquiring Nick Swisher? Whatever the case, signing Ramirez would give the Yankees a lineup similar to the one they had a few years ago, with Sheffield and Giambi, et al: Imposing on paper, but old, old, old.

Harper says, "If Ramirez pledges his effort and loyalty, I wouldn’t trust his word for a minute. But if I’m the Yankees, I’d sign him anyway."

That’s perfectly nonsensical, i.e., the Yankees’ modus operandi for the past 8-plus years. Given that, I’m sure they will try to sign him, especially if Teixeira goes to Boston. If so, I can’t wait; the Yankees will be going back to nursery school once again, forced to re-learn the mistakes that anyone with common sense (and less spite) would avoid.