Dodgers’ Ramirez To Be Placed On Waivers?

Could it be true? Is Manny Ramirez just about done in L.A.? Well, according to multiple reports, including ESPN.com’s Jayson Stark, the Dodgers’ slugger is expected to be placed on waivers early this week (perhaps within the next 72 hours?). Conventional wisdom suggests that the Chicago White Sox are the leading candidates to place a claim on Manny.

Ramirez’s contract, which is up after this season, is structured in such a way that teams could find a place for Manny on their roster. Any team that were to acquire Ramirez would owe his a prorated portion of his $20 million salary, however, about three-quarters of his salary is deferred. So, any team that were to acquire Ramirez would owe just $1.1 million for the remainder of the season and about $3.3 million in deferred salary.

The only road-block to Manny’s departure from L.A., is his full no-trade clause. The Dodgers slugger would have to approve any potential deal before it actually goes through as a transaction. It is possible that he would ask for compensation in return as well. If he is claimed by a team, but vetoes the deal, the Dodgers would be required to pull him off waivers and could not trade him for the remainder of the season.

As stated before, the White Sox remain the front-runners, but the Tampa Bay Rays could also aggressively pursue Manny’s services for a post-season run.

This season Ramirez has been placed on the disabled-list three times, but has not had an atrocious season. In fact, Manny’s numbers are actually pretty good, as he’s hit .312/.404/.508 with 8 home runs and 39 RBIs in 62 games this season.