The White Sox made another deal when they picked up nine-time all-star and 2004 World Series MVP Manny Ramirez on Aug. 31 through a waiver claim. The expensive, late-season move has fans wondering if Ramirez will have what it takes to get the team into the postseason.

The Los Angeles Dodgers felt they were far enough out of reach in the National League West Playoff picture that they could part ways with their former slugger, who propelled them to two consecutive playoff berths after being traded from the Boston Red Sox in July 2008.

The Sox made a desperate move with the pick up of Ramirez when they hit the emergency button on the 2010 season. People are questioning whether it was worth the $3.4 million it cost to bring Ramirez in. If he can’t produce when it matters, then paying him an estimated $125,000 per game will be a huge waste. The choice was made because Mark Kotsay and Andruw Jones failed to have batting averages above .250.

Ramirez will only play for the remainder of the Sox’s season, and he most likely won’t be given an extension by owner Jerry Reinsdorf. Ramirez helped the Dodgers in 2008 when he hit .358 in just 53 games to help them win the National League West and sweep the Chicago Cubs in the NL Divisional Series.

General Manager Ken Williams and Reinsdorf  are probably hoping he can bring that same spark to a team that erased a 9.5 game deficit in mid-June, only to fall out of first place in early August.

This move has raised eyebrows around Major League Baseball because Ramirez has not hit more than 20 home runs since 2008, when he hit 37 with the Red Sox and the Dodgers. Coincidentally, his power numbers have gone down since getting suspended for 50 games in 2009 after violating MLB’s drug policy.

The Sox aren’t shy about making bold moves. They traded four pitchers last season for former Cy Young award winner Jake Peavy and claimed outfielder Alex Rios off of waivers. Bringing Ramirez in only proves manager Ozzie Guillen could’ve been wrong about not re-signing Jim Thome in the off-season, but you won’t hear him complaining.

Ramirez has a lot of postseason experience; he has a .242 batting average with 12 home runs in 41 games. But will the White Sox be able to gain ground on the Minnesota Twins in the next three weeks? On their last road trip, they went 7-3, only to fall to six games out of first place as of press time. I don’t think they can pull it out.

The Twins and Sox will play 12 games against teams with losing records when the Sox take another West Coast trip this season to face the Oakland Athletics and Los Angeles Angels. The pitching staff for the Sox will need good rest to ensure they aren’t burnt out before the season ends. With one series remaining against the Twins, the Sox can’t afford to go on a three-game losing streak.

With Ramirez in the lineup, the offense should get a boost. Ramirez has been hitting fifth, behind first baseman Paul Konerko and Rios, who together have hit 53 home runs. Ramirez will also get better pitches because the recently resurgent catcher A.J. Pierzynski lined up to hit behind him.

As for how the clubhouse will be with the addition of Ramirez, the Sox have dealt with Jose Canseco, Carl Everett, Orlando Cabrera and Nick Swisher pouting about playing time in 2008. If the Sox were able to put up with those players, they won’t have a problem handling Ramirez for a month.

Ramirez won’t play left field as he did with the Dodgers. He will be the primary designated hitter for the remainder

of the season.

As it stands now, it will take a herculean effort for this team to play baseball well into October. Ramirez won’t be Superman, but in order for this deal to look great, the Sox have to reach the postseason.