By Jordan Long
The Boston Red Sox are expected to release Hanley Ramirez. Once he clears waivers, Ramirez will be a free agent to sign with any team. That should happen in the next day or two.
Ramirez can help a team. At the plate his numbers aren’t impressive this year with a .254 batting average, 6 home runs and 29 RBI’s. He is still a batter who moves his teammates around the base paths and into scoring position.
The downside to his batting is he takes chances. Ramirez swings at pitches outside of the zone and pitchers force him to chase. Ramirez struck out a total of 35 times so far this year.
There are plenty of teams that might be calling him because of his ability to play the infield. Ramirez started 17 games at first base for the Boston Red Sox. He has yet to record an error and has 6 infield assists. He could win a Gold Glove if he was playing everyday and hopefully Ramirez has that chance. Ramirez has proven over the course of his career he can handle the duties of being the everyday 1st baseman.
The problem with a team signing him is his contract. Ramirez is owed $22 million this season. Once the year is over, he will be a free agent. This is a massive amount of money for a rental player.
Ramirez should have another opportunity with a different team. With him as a free agent, he can now pick which team he feels is a fit. There will be a team interested in him and hopefully it is one that makes the postseason for him to have a chance at a ring. Time will tell.
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