Today, we will learn if Manny Ramirez has cleared waivers and if Kenny Williams can pry him away from the Dodgers. There are a myriad of rumors flying this morning.
First, the Texas Rangers might be interested, but that’d be a longshot, says the Ft. Worth Star-Telegram:
Adding Ramirez seems remote for a few reasons. A team official said that the Rangers have yet to make a waiver claim on the former All-Star. Also, because the Rangers have one of the best records in the American League, they would have to hope that teams with worse records, who have priority, pass on Ramirez.
The Sox would have claiming rights ahead of the Rangers.
This Yahoo story says that Ramirez’s agent, Scott Boras, is likely to try to extract a one-year contract extension out of whatever team gets him. Manny has a full no-trade clause, which would also apply (as we just saw in the Johnny Damon ruckus) if he’s claimed.
But Tim Brown at Yahoo says the Dodgers just might keep him:
The decision on whether to move Ramirez or hope he gets hot, stays hot and helps carry a soft offense could be hour to hour, depending on how the Dodgers’ series in Colorado goes this weekend. The Dodgers trail the Rockies, fourth in the wild-card race, by a game. They then begin a three-game home series against the Phillies on Monday.
The Dodgers, therefore, could make clubs interested in Ramirez – the Chicago White Sox, Tampa Bay Rays and perhaps others – wait until the final hours of August before learning whether Ramirez is truly available. They have not had substantive conversations regarding Ramirez with any team.
As always, we await developments, and will post them in this StoryStream when there’s anything new.