MLB Rumors: Boston Red Sox Zeroing In On Hanley Ramirez
UDPATE (Nov. 23, 8:30 p.m.): According to FOX Sports’ Ken Rosenthal, Hanley Ramirez and the Boston Red Sox will finalize an agreement on Monday:
Source: Hanley Ramirez headed to Boston tomorrow to finalize deal with #RedSox.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) November 24, 2014
While terms have not been disclosed, Rosenthal reports Ramirez will sign a contract in the neighborhood of five years for $90 million:
Sources say Hanley’s deal with #RedSox will be in range of five years, $90M.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) November 24, 2014
With the Dodgers having made the qualifying offer to Ramirez, they will receive a supplemental pick from the Red Sox between the first and second round for the 2015 draft if the shortstop indeed signs with Boston.
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After reports of multiple American League teams being interested in signing free agent Hanley Ramirez just under two weeks ago, the market for the shortstop has been relatively quiet. The Los Angeles Dodgers are believed to be open to re-signing Ramirez, but they may face competition in the Boston Red Sox.
According to Jon Heyman of CBS Sports, the Red Sox are not only in the mix for Pablo Sandoval but Ramirez as well:
The Red Sox are known to be in the middle of talks for star third baseman Sandoval, and after remaining in contact with Ramirez since as far back as the GM meetings, they are believed to be possibly moving toward an agreement with the star shortstop.
Along with being in contention to sign the pair of infielders, it’s also believed the Red Sox have their sights set on signing Jon Lester after trading him to the Oakland A’s prior to last season’s deadline.
The Red Sox failed to defend their 2013 World Series title as they finished dead last in the AL East and landing the trio of free agents would certainly be a large coup. Keep in mind Yoenis Céspedes is currently still with the team and has one year remaining on his contract.
Potentially signing Ramirez would be an interesting direction for the Red Sox considering they have young shortstop Xander Bogaerts. However, they conceivably could also have Ramirez spend time as the designated hitter and use Bogaerts as a late-game defensive replacement.
Although Ramirez had a down year at the plate last season, he led all shortstops in on-base percentage (.369), slugging percentage (.448) and OPS (.817); and finished fourth with 71 RBIs and in batting average (.283).
If the Dodgers are to lose Ramirez to the Red Sox it may lead to a more concerted effort to trade for Alexei Ramirez, who they already are believed to have pursued. For Hanley, it would bring an end to a bittersweet two and a half seasons in Los Angeles that was filled with memorable moments and bouts of frustration over the shortstop’s injuries and declining defense.
The Red Sox signed Ramirez in 2000 and he appeared in just two games as a member of the team in 2005 before being part of a trade to the then-Florida Marlins for Josh Beckett and Mike Lowell. Ramirez, who will turn 31 on Dec. 23, made $16 million in the final year of his deal last season.
Now that I see the numbers I don’t want Hanley to leave. Go Doyers!
Not the money….the years…….too much for a SS with that injury history
Bring up Corey, fuck it .
Remember, Kershaw would have had an perfect game if Ramirez would have not made that throwing error in the no hitter he threw against the Rockies this year. . Kershaw ended up with a no hitter but that play was the only time a player from the Rockies made it on base. His no hitter against the best hitting team in the majors was something to see but a perfect game would have been even more sensational.