SI.com’s Jon Heyman is reporting that the Phillies are talking to the Red Sox about acquiring Manny Ramirez. Heyman writes that the Phillies are one of three teams the Red Sox are talking to.

The Phillies may be the front-runner for Ramirez, who has told people he probably will OK a deal to Philadelphia if the teams can agree on a trade.

Adam Rubin of the Daily News spoke with Pedro Martinez after his bullpen session and he asked him about the Manny trade talks:

“Manny is a great teammate. Manny is a great human being, too. … Manny is just Manny. He has his own way to do things. You know what? If you look at the numbers, it doesn’t affect anything in the game. A lot of people expect us to be perfect outside of baseball as well as in the field. And sometimes that’s not going to be possible. But I haven’t heard anything of Manny coming over. I haven’t heard from Manny yet, except for the condolences that his family sent along with his wife. As far as Manny being traded, it seems like every year - every spring training - it’s the same thing with Manny. He’s always in Boston putting up the numbers and he ends up being one of the biggest pieces for everything Boston does. So I’m wishing Manny the best. Whatever happens, happens. If he comes over, I’ll welcome Manny anytime. He plays on my team anytime.”

Omar, please get going. Don’t let this happen.

Added By Rob Harding

The way i see it, the only way this would work financially is if they traded Pat Burrell in the deal, and Burrell has had just a good a season, if not better, than Ramirez. I guess the fact of having Manny Ramirez in your lineup alone helps, but even if this were to happen, I don’t think it’d be a back breaker from the Mets perspective…

Added by Peter Wade

Update - 10:03 p.m. - Jayson Stark of ESPN.com is reporting that every report out there about Manny Ramirez is false.

A Phillies official told ESPN.com Tuesday night persistent reports that the Phillies are pursuing Manny Ramirez are “false” and said the Phillies have “nothing doing” with the Red Sox…a baseball man who speaks regularly with the Dodgers’ front office said that the Dodgers also have no interest in trading for Ramirez.

Stark also adds that the Mets and Diamondbacks have already denied any interest in Ramirez. So, even though the Red Sox are looking to rid themselves of Manny, they have yet to find a partner.

Update - 11:00 p.m. - SI.com’s Jon Heyman live on SNY said the Manny Ramirez to Philly deal is 50/50. Heyman said both sides are talking and he would consider the Phillies favorites to get Manny if he goes anywhere.

Asked if that would put pressure on Omar Minaya to make a move for a bat Heyman said, most teams are looking for Fernando Martinez in return. Heyman did not rule out a move by the Mets but he did say the Mets have a lot of “untouchables” and that makes if tough to make any significant trades.

Update 7/30 - 2:15 a.m. - Manny Ramirez in a Phillies uniform is laughable if you believe what MLB.com is reporting:

A team source laughed at the notion that the Phillies were the “front-runner” in the sweepstakes to land the enigmatic Red Sox slugger, as reported by SI.com. The team’s source called SI.com’s story “untrue” and added that the Phillies aren’t involved in talks to land Ramirez.

MLB.com also points out that Pat Burrell, the possible player that would go to the Red Sox in the SI.com story, would have to waive his no-trade clause. Burrell has refused to waive that right in the past.