When It Rains It Pours. First Pedro signs with the Stems. Then ...

Talks with Jason Varitek hit a snag Monday as Scott Boras is still asking for a no-trade clause.

Curt Schilling told WEEI listeners this morning that he will likely not be ready to pitch by Opening Day. His quotes can be found at BDD.

David Ortiz will be in Boston this week having his still-painful right shoulder re-examined. The exam is considered merely cautionary. Ortiz injured the shoulder on August 29 when Dale Sveum send him home on a ball hit to left field at Fenway. Ortiz made an awkward, head-first slide into home plate and was easily thrown out. Shithead Sveum will be coaching third next season, too.

Any good news? Yes. Boston rejected a trade that would have sent Kevin Youkilis to Tampa Bay for Julio Lugo -- and the insane Manny-to-the-Mets rumor seems to have died.

The teams discussed a deal on Sunday that would have sent Ramirez, Doug Mientkiewicz and cash to the Mets for Cliff Floyd and at least two prospects. ... Then, late Sunday night, the Mets asked for more cash. "Reportedly, this led to a harsh exchange between Sox general manager Theo Epstein and Mets GM Omar Minaya and the deal went from quite possible to unlikely."

Today's Globe reports that "a high-ranking Sox official said the team has no immediate interest in parting with Ramirez" and Epstein "left little doubt there was no substance to the prospect of Ramirez playing next season for the Mets."