Manny Ramirez expected to join White Sox on Tuesday
The Chicago White Sox claimed slugger Manny Ramirez off waivers on Friday and sources say that he will join the team on Tuesday in Cleveland. The Los Angeles Dodgers placed Ramirez on waivers as Ramirez has struggled with injury problems this season and the Dodgers have fallen behind in their playoff race.
The White Sox have reportedly reached an agreement with the Dodgers and will pay the remainder of Ramirez’s salary worth $3.8 million. The White Sox will insert Ramirez as their designated hitter which will be a huge upgrade for the team. It will help Ramirez as well as he no longer has to play outfield, which many would agree is not his strength.
Ramirez’s run with L.A will end as his run with the Boston Red Sox did, on a sour note. Ramirez was traded from Boston to L.A in 2008. He caught fire in the California city, hitting 17 homers and batting .396 leading the Dodgers to the NL West title and a trip to the NLCS. The Dodgers rewarded him with a two-year, $45 million contract and gave him a no-trade clause.
His past two seasons have not gone as well as he was suspended 50 games last season after failing a drug test and has spent a good part of this season on the disabled list. This season he has batted .311 with eight home runs and 40 RBIs in just 66 games.
Ramirez started as a fan favourite in Los Angeles and his unpredictable, controversial personality made him a perfect fit in Hollywood, or “Mannywood” as Dodger fans referred to it. He was very popular in Boston as well, adored by fans but his relationship with the organization turned sour before he was traded. Ironically, the White Sox open a series in Boston this weekend in what will be Manny’s return to Fenway.
The White Sox are 4 ½ games behind the Minnesota Twins in the AL Central and Ramirez could be a big help to them. Most of his salary is paid off and he has a history of performing well down the stretch and in the playoffs (if the Sox make it there). He is also a free agent at the end of the season so it is not a risk getting him as they can simply let him go if they’re not satisfied with his performance.
Tags: