By: Stephen Patterson
The Los Angeles Dodgers have sold the advertising space where they used to hang the "Mannywood" banner, in honor of Manny Ramirez, and the new ads will be up when the Dodgers return home Tuesday for a seven game home stand. The team says the space has been available all season, but it makes you wonder if it's not the only thing on its way of LA. This further leads to speculation that the Dodgers may try to move Manny via the waiver wire. He is in the final year of a two-year/$45 million deal and could provide his potential new team with some cap space next season if they don't re-sign him.
Ramirez has had a difficult time with the Dodgers since his arrival from the Boston Red Sox. From his 50 game suspension for performance enhancing drugs to his extended time on the DL, Manny hasn't quite lived up to the expectations the Dodgers had when they acquired him. Ramirez has been out since July 16 when he was placed on the DL with a strained right calf.
With the Dodgers falling fast in their division, it might make the team more willing to move the superstar outfielder. The Dodgers made several small moves at the deadline, including acquiring P Ted Lilly from the Chicago Cubs, but none of the moves will have a big enough impact to help them make up ground in the division. The San Diego Padres are on fire this season and have been one of the biggest surprises so far. The Dodgers also have to contend with the Colorado Rockies and San Francisco within the division, meaning it will be tough for them just to finish second with a chance at a Wild Card birth.
