Dodgers News: Ramirez Discusses Contract Negotiation, Future In LA
Thus far, Ramirez has struggled to say the least with just nine home runs, 32 RBIs and a .257 batting average. Last year in 86 games, Ramirez hit .345 with 20 home runs and 57 RBI, catapulting the Dodgers from last place to first place. He was expected to get a contract extension in the off-season, but the two sides could not work out a deal.
According to Jon Morosi of Fox Sports, Ramirez provided an update on the status of a possible deal:
Hanley Ramirez told me today there are no ongoing conversations between his agent and the Dodgers about a contract extension. @foxsports1
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) June 3, 2014
The news comes as a surprise because the two sides have been negotiating since the end of last season. It is unknown whether Ramirez’s production at the plate and on defense has caused the Dodgers to back off a potential extension, but the shortstop’s excitement has dwindled a bit. The 30-year-old said he wants to remain in Los Angeles for the remainder of his career; however, he will have to prove his worth in order to get the type of money he is reportedly asking for.
Ramirez also shared his thoughts about a potential trade this July:
Asked Hanley if there was a chance he'd be traded in July. "Who? Me? I'm not getting traded. I'm a winner, and here it's all about winning."
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) June 3, 2014
If Ramirez isn’t hitting, then it’s hard to ignore the fact that his defense has dwindled in recent years. The Dodgers have a Cuban shortstop in Erisbel Arruebarrena that is considered a top-notch defender. He has already replaced Ramirez late in games twice this season–-a move that Ramirez was not happy with. While the Dodgers will likely not trade Ramirez, the emergence of Arruebarrena could give them some flexibility.
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Trade him. Dodgers shouldn’t pay him the exorbitant salary he is demanding, so they might as well get something for the one-dimensional player. Pitching and fielding are more important than the occasional hitting that Ramirez provides.
The last time the dodgers had a 3 game winning streak Arruebarrena was playing for Ramirez,when Alex Guerrero comes off the dl, things could become more complicated. Both of the cubans are under contract for years making good money, come July, Ramirez could be great trade bait
Don Mattinhly was great player but he is a lousy manager. He has run a talent filled lineup and bull pen into the ground. In this day and age of statistics and computers he needs to get a new coin because the one he uses doesn’t have enough sides. Experiments and lineup changes are intended for Spring training and his excuses of injuries and slumps no longer cut it.