Dodgers News: Hanley Ramirez Claimed Off Waivers
The move is low risk as a claimed player can be pulled off waivers or traded to the team that placed the claim. According to Jon Heyman of CBS Sports, the Dodgers placed Josh Beckett, Carl Crawford, Andre Ethier Matt Kemp and Hanley Ramirez on waivers, with all but Ramirez clearing:
Matt Kemp plus Ethier, Crawford and Beckett cleared waivers but Hanley Ramirez was claimed/blocked. Blog coming @CBSSports
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeymanCBS) August 5, 2014
The team that claimed Ramirez has three days to construct a trade if that’s the path the Dodgers opt to take. The team decided against trading Kemp at the deadline, and both general manager Ned Colletti and manager Don Mattingly have been on record in declaring Kemp a valuable piece to the team.
Crawford was reportedly shopped to teams in the days leading up to the deadline and ESPN’s Buster Olney said he was the most logical option to be traded in August.
Beckett and Ramirez are in the final years of their respective contracts and each has had less than stellar seasons. Ramirez was coming off a big 2013 season and has been unable to remain healthy or recapture the magic he had at the plate last season.
The 30-year-old shortstop is hitting .273 with 12 home runs and 56 RBIs and just snapped a 25-game stretch without a home run. Ramirez being claimed adds an interesting wrinkle to his forthcoming free agency.
The Dodgers have previously expressed an interest in re-signing Ramirez, but health concerns and an expected large contract may have complicated matters.
Beckett began the year on the disabled list and didn’t earn a decision until his fifth start of the season. The veteran right-hander eventually developed into a more than formidable option at the backend of the rotation and threw a no-hitter on May 25.
At one point this season, Beckett’s ERA was among the league-leaders, but he has since regressed to the mean while battling a torn labrum in his hip.
Colletti has implied the Dodgers will be active before Aug. 31 after going quiet at the deadline and in light of Ramirez being claimed, he may have an extra trade chip at his disposal if he so chooses.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
Dee Gordon Discusses Dodgers Dugout Bubble Machine
Cardinals probably claimed Hanley lol
If i was the Dodgers I would ship Hanley. Last night sealed the deal for me. The lack of defense and the numerous errors he has put up are horrendous. To go along with that, he has been injured so much as of late, and it is time. Yes, his bat will be missed, but we didnt go create that farm team for nothing. The Cuban kids are ready to play. Last year it took injuries to get Puig his shot and now it will take a waiver to get the next kid a shot. Along with Hanley, Crawford needs to go. Again my pitch on the farm system. Joc is ready and waiting. It’s playoff time and we need that little change to bump us into contention. We just are not as dominate as I believe we could be. Time to make change and stick with our gut. My gut says let him go.