The beginning of the end? Dodgers place Manny Ramirez on waivers

Manny Ramirez has been placed on waivers by the Dodgers, according to a baseball source who spoke on condition of anonymity.

The move could lead to the Dodgers severing ties with Ramirez, who is hitless in two games since returning from his third stint of the season on the disabled list.

Teams can submit claims for Ramirez until Friday. If Ramirez is claimed, the Dodgers can let him go, which would result in the team with the winning claim assuming the remainder of his $20-million salary.

The Dodgers also could pull him back and keep him or trade him to the team with the winning claim.

The Chicago White Sox are reportedly planning to claim Ramirez, and the Texas Rangers have had a scout following Ramirez for the last week.

If no team claims Ramirez, the Dodgers would be free to trade him to anyone.

The source said Casey Blake, Scott Podsednik and Jay Gibbons also had been placed on waivers by the Dodgers.

For more on Ramirez and the waiver process, read this story that ran in the Tuesday edition of The Times.

-- Dylan Hernandez

Photo: Manny Ramirez after the Dodgers' 5-2 loss to Reds on Sunday. Credit: Gary Friedman / Los Angeles Times

Comments

[Mike]

Great opportunity for the Dodgers to acquire promising prospects so that they can strengthen their farm system.

[Al Rodriguez]

THANK GOODNESS THE END IS ALMOST NEAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Lets get rid of the dead-wood and bring in player who will earn his worth.
M.R. is a doper who is slovenly out of shape, and not a symbol of a pro athelete.

Raffle this disgusting excuse for a ball-player off ASAP!

[Dave]

Bye, bye Manny. I wonder who the hoodlums and tough guys at Dodgers Stadium will root for now that their leader is gone? I used to love going to Dodgers Stadium ... not anymore.

[Grandpa]

One of the shortest love affairs in baseball history. Bye, Manny. Don't let the door hit ya where God split ya!

[These Dodgers Suck!!]

so its official ,,,, ?

or like Ken "the Hawk" Harrelson might say ,,,

"" He Gone! ""

[Giants Rule]

"If no team claims Ramirez, the Dodgers would be free to trade him to anyone."

He has a no-trade clause. He ain't going anywhere he don't wanna.

[MaxersLA]

Ramirez is proof in the pudding that it is a FLAT OUT LIE when someone like McGuire or Bonds or Manny says that steroids really didnt have that much of an affect on their careers. Manny gets caught doing steroids, and in two years time since WHAT HAS HE DONE??? Been on the DL three times??? Lowest BA of his career??? Lowest RBI and HR.... this is what these liars want you to believe, that steroids increases bat speed and strength and what not. What it primarily does is allow OLD MEN to play at a competitive level injury free... extending their careers for years, allowing them to break records they shouldnt have come close to breaking.

With that said.... ADIOS MANNY!!! The Dodgers rose and fell with you the last few years... good riddance, time to move on already.

[Chris Miss]

I could wax poetic, but "Good Riddance" will do.

[Sal]

Casey Blake?? The Eff?

[kgoddess]

IF true, good riddance to Manny, but please keep Casey!

[Go Bruins Go 2010]

Can they place McCourt on waivers too?

[skyharbor]

It's sad one of the great hitters of our time turns out to be such a slug. I'm sure he'll get picked up by a team that has an opening on their DL.

[kuruc]

i would like to pull that hair, until she cries! effeminate mammy.

[Stephen]

Dodger fans now know why Boston dumped him.

It was a great run in 2008, but I have been over Manny since they caught him trying to have a baby. I see him now like Gagne...an over-rated drug cheat that cheapened the Dodgers legacy of playing the game the right way.

[ted williams]

He may be on his way out but will leave with a pocketful of $$$. He has made donkeys rumps out of owners and fans everywhere. When will fans wake up and realize these bozos are in the game for one reason, and one reason only, $$$. They could not care any less about the loyal fans who just adore them. When the time comes they will move onto the next bundle of $$$ they are handed.

[David]

This spoiled, immature cheater is no loss to Los Angeles.

[mikeohara]

No one should be surprised about anything that happened with Manny while he was here. Our problems with him are exactly why the Sox let him go.

[Jess]

Casey might not exactly be Allstar material, but he plays the game the right way. Hustles, doesn't whine, takes responsibility when need be. Basically the opposite of what Manny does. Anyhow, good luck on getting pregant Manny.

[alan]

I don't see why everyone is so happy, this move is just so that McCourt can save 4 million dollars and spend it on his divorce proceedings ... it doesn't hurt or benefit the Dodgers at all

[f13420]

We should've never acquired Nanny in the first place. It seems like the Dodgers have been baby sitting this lazy cry-baby from day one. I never liked Nanny before he was a dodger, then i thought i'd give him a chance, but to no avail. Needless to say, i still don't like Nanny. He sucks, get out of LA, the sooner the better.

[brian]

Scott Posednick has arguably been the best player on the field since here...what the hell? Casey Blake has always been solid on the field and in the clubhouse...
I guess this is the way they will get the team sold...sell off any assets.
Kemp and Loney both in a 'gots to go' situation right?

[JERRY]

Drugs are bad!

[JDub81]

Can't produce when they take your juice....huh Manny!

[yadthink]

I'll always remember the pennant drive 2 years ago and how magical Manny was at the plate. That's why I'm glad he was here, while others want him gone as soon as possible. I'm sorry it had to end this way, but thankful for exciting moments of Manny being Manny.

[Frank McCourt]

Dave Stuart?

[older American]

But why would McCourt want to get rid of Manny? They seem made for each other.

[brian]

Unless you are very young, you will not see this team even compete again, let alone come as close as they have the past two seasons. The years of turmoil post O'malley are getting worse by the season, with only temporary upturns in the continuing downward spiral of a once proud franchise. It will only take one or two last place finishes for the team to turn into the Cleveland Indians West...the only difference being they have a strong fan base. Half filled Dodger Stadium is right around the corner, and that will be the death nell of the Los Angeles Dodgers. Can you say Santa Barbara here we come? I know you can! Point Mugu Dodgers has a ring to it, aye?

[BaDaBoom]

I, A DEVOTED DODGER FAN FROM BROOKLYN DAYS, LOVE MANNY RAMIREZ. A GREAT HITTER AND PERSONALITY. HE WAS A PERFECT FIT FOR TINSELTOWN IF ONLY THE CLUELESS DODGER MANAGEMENT HAD KNOWN HOW TO PLAY HIM. MANNY WILL RESURFACE SOMEWHERE AND EMBARASS A LOT OF PEOPLE...

[sc]

YIPPEEE!!!

[Joe the Plumber]

Manny made the offense better but he can no longer take the field, so goodbye! The other named waiver players will not get the Dodgers to the playoffs, so goodbye also! A critical decision will need to be made if Torre retires. The Dodgers should name Tim Wallach but I do not expect this owner and GM to make that decision.

[labeldude]

This team is going nowhere this year or next (and beyond?) The farm system is totally bereft of major league talent thanks to Ned and Joe's love of PVLs. Next year they need a catcher, 3B, 2B, LFer, three starters and an entire bench. Tell me there's a contender in there.

Nows a golden chance to get rid of some vets and restock the farm. Blake's done - bat speed's down, fielding is down. Hey, nice guy, but I sure don't want to see him another year older and slower playing 3B everyday. Kuroda and Lilly should be waived also and see what salutes. They're by far the most attractive commodities we have. Pathednik is another JP, and I have no idea why they got him in the first place, especially when it was power this team lacked. Theriot can go too, and if he wasn't on the DL, Furcal as well. Best they'll get waiving Granny is salary relief, which is better than nothing. There's not one of these guys you'd build a team around, so might as well cut 'em loose and get what you can.

Gonna be some dry lean years unless ownership and upper management changes.

[Roy]

Does this mean that the Dodgers are throwing in the towel. Thank God its almost football season!

[Sangroazul]

You can put it on the boards....YYYYYESSSS!!!
Yeah the pelones will "adopt" another mischevious guy to follow. And while the doyers are at it, get rid of Blake, J. Martin, Broxton, Kemp (while he still has value), and last but not least, Sleepy-Head Torre. It's a little different from managing a team that "manages itself", aint it, Joe??? So once again our wish list for the off-season should read: a LF, SS, 3B, 2B, C, (at least) a couple of starters, and a Closer. Other than that, we're lookin pretty strong for next year. Oh yeah, and new ownership...

[alan]

... I hate to agree with brian but he is right, the reason I was optimistic in the past was because of the great farm system and young talent, but that is no longer the case, McCourt and Colleti have used all the chips they inherited ... is obvious to me Loney and Kemp are not who we thought they would become, every other position excluding Andre Ethier is a question mark moving forward ... the pitching is not any better, Kershaw and Billingsley are still inconsistent and probably would never be aces, Kuo has been great this year but no one would be surprised if he ends his career with another injury at any time ... so yes, I agree the Dodgers are in the decline

[whamo]

The Dodgers are in a free fall. Thanks to Jaime breaking her marriage vows. Thanks to a judge too weak to carry through on his threat to force them to sell the team.

[OldBrooklynFan]

Good Bye Manny, thanks for everything. Good Luck.

[Jim Craft]

Manny is a first-round Hall of Famer, but his attitude sucks. As a Red Sox fan (and a Dodger fan), I shuddered when the Dodgers picked him up after the way he treated the Sox. Now he's done the same thing to the Dodgers--declaring that he didn't want to play here. Lots of luck to the next suckers!

[KoufaxFan]

Dodgers are only going to get cash considerations for ManRam; no prospects. But McCrap needs the cash for his lawyers. Also the Dodgers are responsible for all the deferred money owed to ManRam (about $20 mill) so whatever team gets ManRam only has to pay for 23% (percentage of MLB schedule left) of this year's salary--about $1.5 mill.

[Valerie From Oregon]

And The Hits Don't Keep Coming!

[czar]

But what will happen to mannywood ?

:(

hahahahahha

[Eddie A]

Am I the only person who saw this coming BEFORE the Dodgers ever acquired Manny Ramirez. It was a bad deal from the start.

In a case like this, I really hate the fact that I was right all along.

Hey Manny, GTFO.

[Chuckie P]

Manny gave the Dodgers and their fans excitement for that one year when he was brought over and thats about it. Was it worth it? maybe for the Mcourts who had the wigs and jerseys and attendance pile money in their coffers. Steroids cheat being caught as a Dodger ended Manny right there and then.

[Gaby C]

I live in Wisconsin, and in 2008 was speaking with a guy from Maine about my Dodgers. With his deep Maine accent he said "Good luck with Manny!"

[Heisenberg]

peace!

[KoufaxFan]

One thing--if it wasn't for Manny no back to back division crowns for the Dodgers. That line-up is pathetic without his presence.

[Gabe]

Good Riddens!!!!!
Ramirez with his clown pants was an utter waste from the start. Not to mention single handedly making the use of banned substances acceptable among the Dodger fans - I'm referring to all of you Dodger fans who welcomed him back with open arms after his drug use suspension.

[Alan Grossman]

Ramirez once owned this town and he threw it all away. I hope he likes Chicago. But why pick on a solid player like Casey Blake? He doesn't deserve to go; besides, who plays third? Belliard? When Ramirez goes, doesn't that automatically mean that Belliard goes with him? So I ask again, who plays third? Blake DeWitt? Oh, that's right, he's already gone!

[robert]

wow all i can say is what a bunch of haters and crybabys you fans are, to Manny i say thanks was fun while it lasted what a fun time it was, to get rid of Kemp Loney amd Martin is crazy as much as Blake brings to this club it may be time for him to leave if that happens thanks to you Casey, Billingsley need to step back and check him self becuase since the playoff when he did'nt back his team he shows no signs of having the Nads to protect his team a closer sure they need a new one Broxton was never a closer he is a set up man nothing more are the Dodgers that bad? no i think the McCourts should sell and hope Mark Cuban buys the team, and yes im sure the thugs will find a new player that they can claim as there own

[Blue Boy]

Baseball is about fun. It's a game. But some people have absolutely no clue that it's also about real people. Some are great and some are not. Some are smart and others reaching really hard to be average. We elevate them all to the status of idols and their feet turn to clay. The Dodgers drew to a bad hand this year. Hard to field a winning team (or even want to) when the the value of that team is at the heart of a bitter divorce. Far easier to drive the value down as a short side business move. Manny played his role and may be moving on. Others will surely come and go. But if it can stay a game instead of a forum for venting frustration, if it can be kept from becoming a Roman circus meant to simply appease a lust for blood, maybe it will still be baseball in the end. Some you win and some you lose. And some you just out live.

[ThrowinOutDaTrash]

GREAT move, & ought to have occurred abt 3-mos ago!!!
better late than neva!!!