A Schelling For Your Thoughts

MILWAUKEE — He has reportedly hit the waiver wire, but Manny Ramirez does not want to talk about it.

FOXSports.com reported Wednesday that the Dodgers placed Ramirez on waivers, meaning the Dodgers outfielder could have a new home within the week. Does Ramirez have anything to say about a potential trade?

“No,” Ramirez answered. “I don’t want to talk about it.”

Teams now have until Friday to claim the 12-time All-Star. If only one team was to claim Ramirez, that club would have until Tuesday to work out a deal with Los Angeles. The Dodgers can also simply award Ramirez to the claiming team, who would then take on his salary, or they can pull him off waivers.

Should more than one team claim him, the team with the worst record in the National League would have precedence. If the claims were only made by clubs from the American League, the one in that bunch with the worst record would get first crack.

What does Dodgers manager Joe Torre think about the potential move?

“I can’t comment,” Torre said. “Waivers are something that’s supposed to be very confidential. I’m certainly not privy to it other than the fact that I know a lot of clubs do something. But it’s something that’s not supposed to be talked about.”

The White Sox have been seen as a potential fit for Ramirez. If he falls in their laps and the White Sox opt not to get him, the Rays, who have a better record, have also been speculated to be a possible suitor.

“Manny’s a great hitter,” outfielder Jay Gibbons said. “He could certainly help any team offensively. It would definitely be tough to lose a guy like that.”

The 38-year-old Ramirez returned from the disabled list on Saturday and is batting .313 with eight homers and 40 RBIs in 64 games this season. He’s making $20 million in the final season of his contract this year, though some of those payments are reportedly deferred. The prorated portion of his 2010 salary is a little more than $4 million.

The Dodgers are 12 games back in the NL West and 5 1/2 back in the NL Wild Card race. In their first two games with Ramirez back in the lineup, the Dodgers were victorious both times, despite his 0-for-7 mark at the plate. He went 2-for-2 with two doubles, two walks and the game-winning RBI in a 5-4 victory over the Brewers on Wednesday.

“He helps our chances to win and he’s a good guy,” third baseman Casey Blake said. “So yeah, I wouldn’t want to see him go.”

Jordan Schelling is an associate reporter for MLB.com. Alden Gonzalez also contributed to this report. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.