The Boston Red Sox have made a move that is sending shockwaves through the baseball world this morning as it has been reported that first baseman Hanley Ramirez will be Designated For Assignment by the team. The Red Sox will now have seven days to either trade Ramirez or release him. The team has confirmed the move.
Source: Red Sox designating Hanley Ramirez for assignment. A look at that startling decision https://t.co/mss93tJztT via @BostonGlobe
— Alex Speier (@alexspeier) May 25, 2018
The #Redsox don’t have to worry about that $22 million option for Hanley Ramirez after all. They are designating him for assignment as @alexspeier reported
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) May 25, 2018
To make room on the 25-man roster, the #RedSox designated 1B/DH Hanley Ramirez for assignment.
— Red Sox (@RedSox) May 25, 2018
Hanley Ramirez To Be DFA By Boston Red Sox
Ramirez’s Career Profile
Ramirez was initially signed by the Red Sox as an amateur free agent on July 2nd, 2000. But he would not stay in Beantown for long as he was traded to the Florida Marlins (now Miami Marlins), along with pitchers Jesus Delgado, Harvey Garcia, and Anibal Sanchez on November 24th, 2005. In exchange, the Red Sox acquired pitchers Josh Beckett and Guillermo Mota, and third baseman Mike Lowell. In his time with the Marlins, Ramirez won the Rookie of the Year, was a 3 time All-Star and 2 Silver Slugger Awards, and won the 2009 NL batting title. Ramirez would be traded again, this time to the Los Angeles Dodgers, along with pitcher Randy Choate on July 25th, 2012. In exchange, the Marlins acquired pitchers Nathan Eovaldi and Scott McGough. After 3 years with the Dodgers, Ramirez came back to the Red Sox signing a 4 year, $88 million contract.
Analysis
This shocking move comes as a correlation of bringing Dustin Pedroia back up after recovering from knee surgery. While a designation was coming, there were plenty of options for the Red Sox to choose from. The most obvious option may have been Blake Swihart, who has been reportedly unhappy in Boston and Swihart has made a formal trade request to the team. Ramirez has struggled in May after an amazing April, but in the end, this may have come down to money as Ramirez was scheduled to make $22.75 million this year of his contract.
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