MLB Rumors: Astros, Mariners & Red Sox Interested In Ramirez
UPDATE (Nov. 11, 10:00 a.m.): Although there isn’t a necessarily a long-term need for Hanley Ramirez, Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports says the Houston Astros are interested in Hanley Ramirez:
Sources: #Astros, looking for help on left side of IF, have checked in on Hanley. Team has Correa coming at SS; Moran, Ruiz at 3B. So…
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) November 11, 2014
It is unclear whether #Astros would be willing to sign Hanley to a contract as large as he wants. Might prefer more short-term solutions.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) November 11, 2014
UPDATE (Nov. 10, 2:00 p.m.): According to FOX Sports’ Ken Rosenthal, the Boston Red Sox are also interested in Hanley Ramirez:
Sources: Hanley Ramirez on #RedSox's radar. Willingness to play LF or 3B adds to his appeal. Possible alternative to Sandoval.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) November 10, 2014
The Red Sox are expected to meet with Pablo Sandoval’s representatives at the general manager meetings, which began Monday in Phoenix.
UPDATE (Nov. 10, 9:30 a.m.): Bob Nightengale of USA Today Sports classifies the Seattle Mariners’ pursuit of Hanley Ramirez as aggressive:
The Seattle #Mariners are aggressively pursuing free agent shortstop Hanley Ramirez, letting him know how badly they want him.
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) November 10, 2014
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Of the Los Angeles Dodgers’ free agents, Hanley Ramirez is far and away the one that presents the most intrigue. Ramirez struggled to remain healthy last season, but there aren’t any clearcut options to replace the soon-to-be 31-year-old should he move on from Los Angeles.
As expected, the Dodgers made the qualifying offer to Ramirez, which he rejected and it will net them a draft pick if he is to sign elsewhere — something that certainly isn’t beyond the realm of possibility. According to FOX Sports’ Ken Rosenthal, the Seattle Mariners have a level of interest in the shortstop:
Sources: #Mariners interested in Hanley. Some, however, doubt team will make another $100M+ signing. One source says VMart is M's priority.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) November 10, 2014
One of the intriguing elements that’s tied to Ramirez’s free agency is what kind of contract he’ll eventually sign. Along with injury concerns, Ramirez is largely regarded as a subpar defensive shortstop, though he did show signs of improvement late in the year.
Perhaps in an effort to offset some of the concerns surrounding his glove, Ramirez reportedly is open to switching positions — presumably to third base. That doesn’t necessarily help his prospects of signing with the Mariners, however being that they have Kyle Seager at third base.
Seager was named to his first career All-Star Game in 2014 and also won his first Gold Glove. Ramirez conceivably would remain at shortstop if they Mariners were to sign him considering they were searching for a consistent option at the position last season.
Though it may not occur, Ramirez would benefit from a move to the American League in the sense that he could be utilized as a designated hitter, which would alleviate some of the wear and tear a full season as a starting shortstop brings.
