Not just Red Sox Nation, but the whole baseball world is awash in Manny talk this week. Should the Sox trade Manny Ramirez, their temperamental slugger? What about picking up his option for next season?

The Red Sox will answer one of those questions by 4 p.m. today when the major league trading deadline ends. According to dozens of media reports, General Manager Theo Epstein and the Red Sox brass have contacted several teams in an effort to move the disgruntled left fielder, so far with no success.

Ramirez, who has 20 home runs and 68 RBIs this season, heard a few boos from fans at Fenway Park this week but has also seen several signs urging the Sox to keep him with the team. Reaction is similar here in central Maine.

"He does come through in the clutch," retired restaurateur Ted Shiro of Augusta said. "I think I would hang onto him this year and see how he produces and probably go through the same thing next year."

Ramirez's eight-year, $160 million contract with the Sox ends this season with Boston having the option to renew his contract for two succeeding seasons at $20 million per year. In lieu of recent events -- Ramirez begged out of two games last week claiming a sore knee -- management's patience is wearing thin.

"My first instinct says get rid of him," Augusta school teacher Pete Hickey said. "My second instinct says let's ride out the year with him and see if we can win another championship."

Ramirez has been a key to Red Sox World Series championships in 2004, when he was named MVP, and 2007. His success on the field and his flaky personality have endeared him to fans around baseball. Foremost, he's belted over 500 home runs in his career and has a lifetime batting average of .312.

"I think he's the best right-handed hitter in baseball," said Gardiner's Kyle Stilphen, who was named Mr. Maine Baseball this year. "The way he produces I'd keep him."

But here's been a downside, too, beginning with his posturing after hitting home runs and his nonchalant base-running. Many believed he also opted out of the lineup in the final weeks of the 2006 season and he's had run-ins this season with teammate Kevin Youkilis and traveling secretary Jack McCormick.

"It doesn't bother me as long as he hits," Stilphen said.

Added Becky Seel, an attorney from Belgrade: "I think we go through this with Manny every year. I think they should just play ball and Manny is Manny. I think Manny's a valuable contributor. I would be sad if they traded Manny."

It doesn't hurt that Ramirez has been hot for the month of July. When he's swinging the bat well, fans are able to overlook a few peccadilloes, like not running out a ground ball to third a couple of games ago.

"He didn't hustle," said Dave Dostie of Skowhegan. "There's no need for that."

Dostie doesn't believe the Sox will pick up Manny's option at the end of the season, but he doesn't think they'll trade him either.

"I don't think he's going anywhere," he said. "We need him to win another championship. We're going to forget everything if he helps us win another World Series."

Many fans also hate to think of breaking up the David Ortiz/Ramirez combination, one of the most successful hitting duos in the game.

"As long as you have David Ortiz in the lineup I think you have go with Manny," Waterville American Legion player Steve Siviski said. "Without the other, neither one of them going to have as much of an impact.

"I know there's this whole Manny being Manny thing; Manny being Manny does nothing but help the Sox."

Gary Hawkins -- 621-5638

ghawkins@centralmaine.com