White Sox plan to claim Manny Ramirez off waivers

[IE]

The White Sox plan to claim slugger Manny Ramirez once the Dodgers place him on waivers, FoxSports.com reports. Chicago tried to trade for Ramirez before the trading deadline.

Los Angeles hasn't put Ramirez on waivers yet, but that move could come as early as Tuesday.

The Rays and Rangers also are interested in Ramirez, the FoxSports.com report says. The White Sox, who were four-and-a-half games out of first going into Tuesday's games, would get first crack at Ramirez, who has played for the Dodgers since a midseason trade in 2008.

Ramirez could block any move by invoking his no-trade clause.

If another team claims the 12-time All-Star, and he vetoes the deal, Los Angeles would be required to pull him back from waivers and couldn't not trade him for the remainder of this season.

Ramirez returned Saturday from the disabled list this season for the third time; two of those times, he was been sidelined with a right calf strain. The 38-year-old has played in only 62 games as of Monday.

 

[IE]

The White Sox make sense. They don't have a fragile clubhouse incapable of handling a distraction, and they do have a need at DH, where Mark Kotsay and an assortment of others have combined to bat just .237 with a .709 OPS on the year.

Whether Manny would be enough to push them past the Twins, of course, is unknown and unlikely, but if Kenny Williams could afford the price tag, there's little risk to taking a gamble. That's a team that needs help, and Manny could most definitely provide a shake-up.

 

[EXTRAPOLATER]

Rays could use a stick and their window of opportunity may close pretty soon if they can't pull off a surprising (to me, at least) run this year.
I'd be pretty stunned if he goes to TB but this might be one he would accept...opportunity to attack ole nemesis NYY, after all.

Chisox look done...not enough home games left unless they do a major winning assault, quick, wherever they play. Sept homers include facing twinkies and bosox. Not sure about the head office head-trip thing, but Manny likely says F.O. here, I would think.

Rangers Manny would hop on, I believe. They look pretty solid with those SP's and pen and the O ain't too shabby either. No clue where he'd bat...3rd? 4th? 5th? I might be interested in Rangers 1st round even vs Yanks...certainly vs Rays. What do they do with Manny, though?...DH and play Vladdy in the field? Move Hamilton from left? I'm guessing DH for Man-Ram with Vladdy in right. Rangers a palpable playoff pursuit with or without the Man-child.

cheers, IE
:toast:
keep up the good work