Dodgers News: Hanley Ramirez’s Agent Says Extension Not Imminent
Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Hanley Ramirez caused quite a stir last night when he Instagramed himself on a plane, saying he was headed to Los Angeles to deliver some good news.
It’s been reported already during the off-season that Ramirez and the Dodgers are talking extension as the 29-year-old shortstop is due to become a free agent after the 2014 season. Signing Ramirez and ace Clayton Kershaw to long-term extensions are high on GM Ned Colletti’s priority list and according to Ken Gurnick of Dodgers.com, an extension with Ramirez isn’t imminent:
His agent said Hanley Ramirez’s Instagram posting was a joke and he flew to the Dominican Republic, not LA. No contract extension imminent.
— Ken Gurnick (@kengurnick) December 7, 2013
This could be a classic case of when an agent is upset with a client for leaking information about a possible extension, so it remains to be seen if Ramirez was serious or not. In his first full season with the Dodgers, Ramirez hit .345 with 20 home runs and 57 RBI as shoulder, hamstring, thumb and rib injuries hampered his entire 2013 season.
Acquired in July 2012, Ramirez seems to have made the attitude change many were expecting when he left the Miami Marlins. Upset that he was playing third base and with a slumping batting average, the move to LA has done wonders for Ramirez as he’s assimilated into the community so well.
Still, it sounds like there’s mutual interest from both sides to get an extension done over the winter, ensuring he finishes his career in Dodger Blue.
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