Manny Ramirez has signed with the Chicago White Sox. He was taken off of waivers after the Dodgers released him on Monday. The slugger will reportedly be playing in his first game on Tuesday against Cleveland. According to Kenny Williams, the general manager for the Chicago White Sox, the team reportedly had their eye on a few players on waivers with Manny being amongst them. There was an attempt by the White Sox to get Manny at the trade deadline. That, however, ended up being unsuccessful though not ultimately.
Williams has stated that the goal for the Chicago-based team is not only to make it to playoffs but to “do something special.” The need for a good hitter coming down the stretch, was one of the reasons the team pursued and then finally signed the aging and oft ailing star. Williams did acknowledge, though indirectly, that Ramirez has had some problems stating that eventually Manny would get both his timing and effectiveness back.
There was initially a deal on the table for Manny between the White Sox and the Dodgers. In the end, the Dodgers decided that it was in their best interest to simply let the slugger go. Los Angeles didn’t even ask for a player in return. By letting Ramirez go, they were able to forgo paying him anymore money. Ramirez is a fairly big earner. For his remaining service in 2010, he will receive $3.8 million, courtesy of the White Sox. He is due to earn $955,000 next year. All other money is deferred. He would get $640,000 in June of 2011 and 2012 and $1.6 million in June or 2013.
This payment arrangement is likely one of the biggest reasons Ramirez was claimed in the first place. His payment terms gave any team who wanted him, the chance to fit him in with their existing roster rather than cutting or getting rid of quality players in order to make room for Manny on the payroll.
Ramirez is hitting well this season at .311 with 40 RBIs. However, his homerun production is low at only 8 homers.