FORT MYERS, Fla. (AP) — Boston slugger Manny Ramirez wants to finish his career with the Red Sox, but doesn't plan to ask the club to pick up his option for 2009.

After leaving the batting cage at spring training today, Ramirez said that he doesn't plan to ask the Red Sox for an extension since they hold his option and it's up to them to approach him.

"I want to stay here, but it's up to them if they want to bring me," he said. "But if they don't want to bring me back, that's fine. I know I'll be a free agent after '08 so that's another thing that I'm looking forward (to)."

The slugging left fielder is in the last year of an eight-year contract. Beyond that, the team has options for the next two seasons at $20 million each.

"It's up to them to say, `OK, we're going take (the option). It's not up to me to go into the office and demand a four-year deal, whatever," the 35-year-old Ramirez said. " No, I'm going come here to play the game, finish my year. If they want me to come back, I'll come back."

Once the regular season starts, he'd prefer not to negotiate even if the team wants to.

"I want to wait and talk to them (about) what they want to do, after the season," Ramirez said. "I want to play the game, finish my year, and whatever happens, happens."

He spoke for about five minutes after reporting to camp on time. In some past years, he reported after the deadline set by the team.

Ramirez is coming off one of his poorest offensive seasons — a .296 batting average with 20 homers and 88 RBIs — but he said he didn't show up on time this season to show his determination as he enters the final guaranteed year of his contract.

"I'm not making any statement," he said. "I feel great, man. I'm looking forward for '08 and '09 and I did my work like I always do every year and I'm excited to be here."

Ramirez usually works out at his Florida home. This offseason, he did that in Arizona at Athletes' Performance Institute, where Nomar Garciaparra worked out.

"I heard about them when Garciaparra was here," Ramirez said. "I want to be like Julio Franco, play until I can. Why not? And that's the place to go and work out and get ready for the season."

Franco, who turns 50 in August, is a free agent after finishing last season with Atlanta

"I want to finish my career here," Ramirez said, "but it's up to them. So if that doesn't happen, hey, I'll go and play somewhere else. I know I still can play. What else can I say? It's up to them. I'm not the one who writes the checks."