According to Toni Ginnetti of the Chicago Sun-Times, the Dodgers and White Sox are down to discussing prospects and Manny Ramirez could be on his way to the South Side.
Sources tell the paper that the Dodgers are reviewing scouting reports on White Sox minor leaguers and the teams are trying to agree on an acceptable package for Los Angeles to get in exchange for the mercurial slugger. White Sox general manager Kenny Williams has been playing coy but making it clear he wants Ramirez.
Once the White Sox made the claim, the Dodgers had the option of simply letting him go to cut salary and getting nothing in return. But they'd rather work a deal to get something back, so presumably the Dodgers are picking up some of Ramirez's salary (he's owed $4.5 million, but $3.5 million of that is deferred to sometime after this season). The Dodgers' only real leverage was being able to revoke the claim and pull Ramirez back, but then they'd be on the hook for the entire $4.5 million. You wouldn't expect they'll get a huge haul back, but essentially this is a way for the Dodgers to buy players out of the White Sox minor league system.
Ramirez would have to approve any deal, but he seems done with the Dodgers (it's mutual) and better suited to continuing his career as a designated hitter in the American League. The White Sox have been desperately trying to add a power bat, and when Ramirez is not hurt he's certainly that.
-- David Andriesen
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