Dodgers' Ramirez goes on waivers; Sox wait and see

Although a source said no deal is in place, multiple outlets are reporting the White Sox remain hot on the trail of Los Angeles Dodgers slugger Manny Ramirez, who was placed on waivers Wednesday.

National League teams get the first crack at Ramirez, who won't clear waivers until Friday. Should Ramirez pass through the NL, the Sox would be in a great position to put in a claim and likely make a trade.

Much like he said the day before, White Sox general manager Kenny Williams is not taking anything for granted with Ramirez, who doubled twice in 2 at-bats and also walked twice against the Brewers on Wednesday night.

"It's not easy," Williams said. "Let's say that particular player on the National League goes on waivers, he has to go through all the National League and American League teams to get to us.

"If he were an AL player, we may get first crack at him based on the standings as it is today, but first it's going to have to go through all the contenders in the National League."

Williams asked about Ramirez before the July 31 nonwaiver trade deadline but never came close to completing a deal.

Getting a player through waivers is a whole different challenge.

"It's not easy to get anything," the Sox' GM said. "That's why the trading deadline is so important. You try to make sure you fortify your team, and you exhaust yourself to do it because you just don't know what the waiver wire will yield.

"And this year - I don't keep track of the numbers - but this year it just seems there are more blocks than there have been in the past."

It makes sense that the White Sox would try working out a trade for Ramirez. If they simply claimed the 12-time all-star, the Sox would have to pay Ramirez $1.1 million the rest of the season and roughly $3.3 million in deferred salary.

If they would agree to send L.A. a minor-league prospect or two, the Dodgers likely would agree to pick up some of the remaining salary.

According to one report, Ramirez has agreed to waive his no-trade clause should the White Sox claim him off waivers.

On Tuesday, Detroit's Johnny Damon was in a similar situation, and he blocked a deal that would have sent him back to Boston.

"If they were to get Manny, that would be great," said Juan Pierre, who played with Ramirez in Los Angeles the last two years. "As long as he's healthy, he's one of the most dangerous hitters in the game."