Sox to sign Manny to long-term deal?

The Red Sox hold team options on Manny ? $20 million per year in 2009 and 2010 ? so he can't opt out like A-Rod did last year. So what's Boras's role here? Theo Epstein has said the Sox will wait until after the season before making a decision about Manny's 2009 option. The only reason Ramirez would need a negotiator like Boras is if the Red Sox were willing to sign him to a long-term deal. Hmmm.