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The Boston Red Sox Are “trying to move” Hanley Ramirez, according to The Boston Globe. This seems more likely because the team signed free agent outfielder Chris Young on Monday, according to FOX Sports.
There are a few rumored suitors out there for Ramirez, according to the report. The Seattle Mariners, Baltimore Orioles and Angels could be the landing spot if the teams could work out a deal. There’s also rumors that teams wouldn’t take on Ramirez’s $88 million left on his contract even if the Red Sox ate half of it. Either way, it will be interesting to see if the former infielder and current outfielder leaves Boston after just one season. The problem was never his production because the three-time All-Star produces for the most part when he’s on the field. The biggest issue is that he can never stay on the field. The 31-year-old had a .249 BA this season, which is nowhere near the .285 or .345 he hit in the two seasons prior. The bigger issue was that he only played in 105 games after 128 in 2014 then 86, 64 and 93 in the three seasons prior to that. For the contract he has, he’s simply not reliable enough to be out there on the field. He can’t be used as the DH because that’s belonged to David Ortiz for years in Boston. He could be the DH for other teams, but it’s not like that will protect him from injuries. There’s been a few teams where he injured himself while at the plate. If Boston can move him, it might not get in return what it thinks it should get because Ramirez’s injury-plagued career.
Sources: #RedSox in agreement with free-agent outfielder Chris Young on a multi-year contract, pending a physical.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) November 30, 2015
The signing of Young could mean that they are serious about getting rid of Ramirez. The financials of the new deal hasn’t been revealed yet but it will likely cover multiple years, according to FOX Sports. The slugger is a career .263/.362/.474 hitter against lefties. The 32-year-old had a solid .773 OPS with 14 HR and 20 2B in a limited role with the New York Yankees. His bat against lefties with the short distance at Fenway Park could be a major weapon in the starting lineup or off the bench. There’s a chance he could become the fourth outfielder behind Mookie Betts, Jackie Bradley, and Rusney Castillo unless there’s a trade.
The Angels, Orioles and Mariners could use a healthy Ramirez to help solidify their respective lineups. If Boston is willing to eat a large chunk of his contract, maybe he’ll be wearing his fourth different team uniform throughout his 11-year career.
