Dodgers Make Qualifying Offer To Hanley Ramirez
After another season in which the Los Angeles Dodgers fell short of winning the World Series, they entered the offseason facing multiple questions.
Seven players became free agents, however that includes Josh Beckett who is retiring, and the number technically increased to eight when the Dodgers declined the option on Chad Billingsley.
With the 2 p.m. PT deadline looming, the Dodgers announced on Twitter they made a qualifying offer to Hanley Ramirez:
The Dodgers have extended a qualifying offer to shortstop Hanley Ramirez.
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) November 3, 2014
Given the history of players who have been presented a qualifying offer, it’s unlikely Ramirez will accept the one-year, $15.3 million contract. By offering Ramirez, the Dodgers ensured they will receive a draft pick if he were to sign with another team.
The shortstop was once reported to be interested in a new deal that exceeded $130 million. However, that was prior to Ramirez suffering through an injury-plagued season. Although he battled various bumps and bruises, it wasn’t until Ramirez suffered an oblique injury in August that he landed on the disabled list.
While Ramirez may not have had trouble remaining healthy and failed to match his 2013 offensive output, he poses a threat in the lineup that the Dodgers currently wouldn’t be able to replace. Erisbel Arruebarrena and Miguel Rojas both carry superior gloves, but neither can swing the bat in a similar fashion to Ramirez.
Furthermore, the list of free agent shortstops leaves plenty to be desired. Ramirez will turn 31-years-old on Dec. 23 and is coming off a season where he made $16 million.
Should Ramirez opt not to sign the qualifying offer, it won’t affect him potentially re-signing with the Dodgers under terms of a different contract. The window for the Dodgers to exclusively negotiate with their free agents ends at 9:59 p.m. PT on Monday.
SIGN HIM
Smartest move for the team. If he rejects and signs elsewhere they get a draft choice….
I like Hanley, but his defense is not up to par for this team and so I say move on and let Seager or one of the other talented glove men compete in the spring for the job. I would prefer a glove man at this position who can save the pitching staff.