Could the Dodgers still move Manny Ramirez?

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If they took down the Hollywood sign, would there still be a Hollywood?

OK, but if the Dodgers have taken down the Mannywood sign, would there still be a Manny Ramirez?

Well, probably? But maybe .…

With poor gimpy Manny still doing stretches at the Dodgers’ training complex in Phoenix, you have to wonder whether when he returns -- or is that if? -- he’ll be a Dodger for long.

ESPN’s Buster Olney notes (requires insider status) that teams cannot put a player through waivers while they’re on the disabled list, meaning it could be a couple of weeks yet before Manny is able to be placed on the waiver wire.

Though general manager Ned Collettihas continually said the Dodgers will try to win and make the postseason this year, Olney figures that if the Dodgers are 10 to 12 games out by the end of August, they would probably move him for prospects. If they’re back within four or five, they keep him and play it out.

No one is expected to claim him and the remainder of his $20 million owed for this season, though there might be a very outside chance that the White Sox could gamble. It was the White Sox who inquired about Manny before the non-waiver trading deadline, and when word got out, the Dodgers suddenly had more Manny phone calls.

So if he goes unclaimed and the Dodgers drop out of the race, Manny could be moved at the end of the month.

When there’s no wood left in Manny, hardly sounds like a bad idea.

-- Steve Dilbeck