The White Sox have received solid early trade interest in shortstop Alexei Ramirez, according to a report from Bruce Levine of CBSChicago.com. Chicago has been contacted by the Mets, Yankees, and Dodgers regarding the 33-year-old.
Ramirez has one year left on his deal at an affordable $10MM. He also comes with a $10MM option for 2016, which carries a $1MM buyout. Though he could not maintain his hot start to the year, Ramirez ended with a solid .273/.305/.408 slash to go with 15 home runs and 21 steals. A well-regarded defender, Ramirez compiled 4.1 rWAR and 3.3 fWAR.
Were the White Sox to part with Ramirez, the team would look for a one-year stopgap. The long-term solution, the team hopes, is working its way up through the system in the person of Tim Anderson. The 2013 first-rounder reached the Double-A level last year.
Mets & Dodgers have better farms so if the Yanks want him they are going to have to overpay
Yankees weak farm means they probably can’t meet the asking price in the first place. I agree Mets and Dodgers are in a better position. Good fit for both as well.
1 – The Yankees farm isn’t weak
2 – This is an aging SS who isn’t going to cost a team multiple top prospects
3 – I should have threw this in earlier, but White Sox and Yankees have tried to work out a deal regarding John Danks who is inconsistent and owed a lot so if he’s thrown in the equation, the price probably drops as far as the highest prospect goes.
What you are missing is that the Sox have $50 million to spend this year; they have no need to cut salary. If Alexei is traded, it will be at a premium return. The Yankee games won’t work in this instance.
Im sure the Yankees can work out something, they got Prado for a minor prospect (Peter O Brien) at the deadline, Prado, who is a pretty similiar player to Ramirez
In what way? Prado reminds me more of Ben Zobrist.
Hitting, Prado is more versatile yes
Well let’s just say for the sake of it, the Yankees were willing to pay for Danks and the rest of his salary. Don’t you think that gives the Sox even more to spend??
Spend it on whom? They’ll save Alexei for someone who will offer what they need. They need a LF – those aren’t available in FA this year (at least not one who can play defense).
You just said above the Sox have $50 million to spend and now you say spend it on whom?
And if they need a LFer, I wonder if a Gardner/Ramirez straight up trade works.
You would give up Gardner for Ramirez or am I missing something?
Well Yankees are in need of a SS badly. Gardner has a very fair contract himself. Of course maybe multiple players could be involved too.
I mean……unless they wanted Beltran LOL
I just have a feeling that Alexei won’t be as effective 2 years down the line as he has been the past few years. Gardner I think will be valuable for longer time. So I’m basically saying I wouldn’t trade 4-5+ years of Gardner for an optimistic 3 years of Ramirez. I could be very wrong obviously
3 more guaranteed years of Gardner for one more guaranteed year of Alexei? That doesn’t seem lop-sided to you?
Yep but it’s likely who the Sox would ask for if they wanted a Yankee OFer.
Well, yeah, that’s obvious–Ellsbury has a huge contract and Beltran is old and a DH. Who else would they ask for? Zolio Almonte?
lol I wish.
I wouldn’t give up Gardner for Ramirez. What about
Jack Cave+Austin De Carr
The Yanks have 50 to spend also!
And half of that is going to A-Rod.
The Yankees have whatever amount they feel like spending. They can spend $200 million this winter if they wanted to.
True, they have 40+ million coming off the books! They will go all out to win and get in the playoffs next year. I trust Cashman to make the right moves, the players will have to do the rest!
Last season: .273/.305/.408
2013: .284/.313/.380
2012: .265/.287/.364
That’s a good but not great player. Actually, those OBP. are on the bad side. I’m not sure what you mean by “premium return” but no team is going to give up its top prospects for that. If the White Sox demand too much, the interested teams will just turn around and sign Stephen Drew/Jed Lowrie/Asdrubal Cabrera/Hanley Ramirez. I can’t see there being more than 1 win per season difference between a scenario where one of those teams has Alexei and that same team having one of those 4.
The Yanks have 15 wins on the team right now if they play up to their baseball card!
The Yankees farm system is relatively weak compared to most. That could change if some of their Dominican and international prospects work out but they are real low on perceived studs. They have a few decent prospects but they really are in the bottom third of farm systems right now.
2 years ago FWIW it was ranked 10th by Keith Law. Poor years and significant injuries last season caused them to fall down to 20. With much better seasons now from most top prospects, do not be shocked to see if it’s now ranked in the 10-15 range.
I’m simply stating where they are today. They lack 19 and 20 year olds putting up numbers and real impact 22 year old players on the cusp. That group that was in the low minors a couple years ago (Austin, Williams, Bichette etc.) Have fizzled out as a group. They do have some depth and that can change things a lot by June but as of now we have not seen it.
The Yankees farm system is good.
Aaron Judge is one of the underrated hiting prospects in the game. He is damn good.
Luis Severino is there best pitching prospect, and he looks to have potential especially with is Fast Ball.
Gary Sanchez should be at least a everyday average ML catcher if not better. He can be a AS.
Jose Ramirez, and Bryan Mitchell have nice potential as well
How does this post make any sense? Regardless of who has the better farm, they still would cost the same amount of talent. No teams needs to overpay more than the other. It’s just a question of whether a team with a worse farm is willing to part with as much talent as a team with many good prospects.
” No teams needs to overpay more than the other”
You’re just helping me prove my point even more. The Yankees farm is worse than the Dodgers and Mets, they would have to give up more to get him. If only the Yankees had interest in Ramirez or if a team with a worse farm (say the A’s) , then it’s another story.
Umm…no? They would give up the same amount of talent as any other team. The difference is that they have less talent available to trade away. But that doesn’t mean they have to give up more…it just means they have less available to give up.
Not if a team is desperate enough to give up more than what they want to. That’s my point.
For fun and games
1 – Yankees offer Judge, Dodgers offer Pederson, Mets offer Sydenguard (remember I said for fun and games), White Sox tell Mets and Yankees Dodgers have the top offer. Yankees add in Severino, Dodgers and Mets don’t counter, Alexi to the Yankees for Severino and Judge.
2- Yankees offer Judge, no other team offers any top prospects. Alexi to the Yankees for Judge.
Are the Yankees giving up “the same amount of talent” as you say in Scenarios 1 and 2?
I think you have it backwards. The team with the least amount of top prospects is less likely to part with those rare few top prospects. Those with many top prospects are more likely to part with them.
That’s exactly my point. The Yankees top prospects aren’t as good as the Mets/Dodgers. Which is why the Yankees would likely have to offer a top prospect + More (this, as I said for just fun and games, that the Mets and Dodgers and Yankees all offered their top prospect).
If the Mets and Dodgers didn’t offer one but the Yankees did, then the White Sox take the offer (Judge for Ramirez, which is a very fair swap)
But that is simply incorrect. If it takes one A+ prospect from the Yankees then it’ll also take one A+ prospect from the Mets and Dodgers. Chicago isn’t going to say “Mets and Dodgers can have Ramirez for one A+ prospect, but the Yankees will need to surrender both an A+ prospect and a B prospect because their farm is worse so we’re increasing the cost to them.”
Again, check the example I used with Judge, Sydenguard and Pederson.
I’m saying to Top the Mets and Dodgers offer in this example, the Yankees would have to add someone else. Ordinarly, Judge for Ramirez is a fair swap and Assuming that only the Yankees were interested, that’s a done deal.
Not all trades are equal trades. There are many lopsided trades. If Ramirez is traded I’d expect the team that gets him overpays. And I surely hope it isn’t the Yankees.
Unless you’re saying something like that the Yankees have no A+ prospects so they’ll need to give up 3 B+ prospects or the Dodgers will get him for 1 A+ prospect. That I agree with.
Well that’s another good example there.
All true, but the Dodgers are not giving up a A+ prospect for a 1 year rental on the wrong side of 30
That’s why I said for Fun and games. I wasn’t making a realistic trade proposal
I think that maybe a bit of a overpay, but that is definitely more then fair. Judge should be at least average at his position, and hit 15-18 hrs in the majors.
3 – Then everyone realizes that the Yankees can’t trade Judge until July.
It will cost the acquiring team more than what the fans of said team are willing to give up. The Sox want young controllable right handed starters and also need OF and C. I would like to see what the names were being talked about, but of course we won’t unless he is traded.
Depending on what’s offered, this could be really beneficial for the White Sox. I think they’re more than 2 years away from really competing, and Alexi would be a FA then anyway.
Not in their minds they aren’t. They have an Ace starter, a #2, a good CF, an excellent 1B. They have most of the hard stuff done – basically need holes plugged to compete.
+rodon
Winning teams are built around very, very good up-the-middle players. What about catcher, second and short?
Well, at least for SS they have Alexi…
However, the other “holes to fill” are:
2-3 OF’s
3B
2B
DH
backup IF
second half of a rotation
bullpen
Granted some of these can be “plugged”, but that’s still an overhaul, not an overnight fix.
3-4 OFs? Eaton & A Garcia are locks in CF/RF. Do we play the game with more than 3 OFs now? Gillespie had a decent year with a 3 month + stretch of very good production. So 3
B will not be prioritized. Micah Johnson will be given every opportunity to win the 2B job taking 2B off your list. The WS are loaded with young players that project as competent utility IF major leaguers. The other holes you mention are legit and make for enough heavy lifting for R Hahn, please don’t add to his burden.
Look at any contending team and how many competent OFs there are 4+. It’s called a reliable bench/defensive substitution/platoon type player. I’ll give you the rest of the field because I don’t follow the W Sox, and they still need half a 3-4 starters (again depth) and a bullpen.
Basing everything off the WS teams isn’t very reassuring either, considering this past year seemed to be more of an exception to the rules rather than re-writing them. That’s why the match up was such a good story. Why didn’t everyone copy the 2013 Red Sox after they won the WS? Clearly they did it right…first to worst.
I’d be more interested in an outfield upgrade (CarGo seems a good buy low candidate), while leaving SS to Flores. His defense was perfectly fine last year, and the offensive upside is certainly there.
Except the Rockies will not be selling low on CarGo
CarGo is more expensive than you think, dhm. Alexei Ramirez will also be an overpay, but at least he might be more than a stopgap solution at shortstop for the Mets.
But we don’t need a stopgap solution, we have that in Flores and Reynolds, with Cecchini and Rosario still coming up through the system. Trading top prospects for 2 years of an aging, declining (though still useful) SS is a poor move.
He said Alexei wouldn’t be a stopgap. He is a guy that could play SS for probably another 5 years at an above average level.
33-37 and playing shortstop at an above average level? History disagrees.
Good try Kenny Williams
yep, but so is trading for an oft injured outfielder in CarGo (who is also owed a ton of $$$). At least with Ramirez he can walk away in 2016 or 2015? I can’t remember which, but sooner than CarGo.
The first 2 you mention are only in SS conversation with the Mets
Flores cannot handle SS. A month of okay UZR doesn’t change that.
He had 443 innings at SS (about 1/3 of a season) and put up a 4.0 UZR. Hardly a perfect sample, but enough to encourage some optimism that he can provide league average defense going forward. And given his offensive upside, that’s more than enough.
Yeah given Flores’ bat they should take a longer look at his SS play.
Here is my thought about that when it comes to CarGo and Alexei. I get that when healthy, CarGo is the superior player, but CarGo has only played 180 games the last two seasons with awful home and away splits. Like crazy awful. As where Alexei has played in 158 games 4 straight years and 156 games the year before that.
This comes after the Rockies saying they want teams to view CarGo and Tulo as guys who are 100% healthy and have no injury risks. I know who I’d rather have in this choice.
an educated mets fan
I don’t think the Catcher is a glaring need for the Sox. Phegley can be a potential starter, Nieto has proven to be a decent backup, and Flowers can be servicable (halfway decent defensively) with some pop. Flowers strikes out way too much though. If I were the Sox, I’d go for some young arms for trading Ramirez.
Sox even have a few young arms. What they don’t have is an outfielder anywhere near ready.
Thats why I guarantee the Sox talk to the Dodgers about a guy like Joc Pederson. Not saying he would be a part of the package, but it will be mentioned.
Pederson would be a nice start in a package for Alexei.
The Dodgers would net even consider Pederson even up for Alexei.
All righty then. Next! Let’s see what the Mets can muster up. Sox do not need to trade Alexei and certainly will not be giving him away.
I think you started to low, should have demanded Kershaw and Pederson
Now why would we want another left handed starter. Sox already have Sale, Quintana, Danks and soon Rodon. You can keep the lefties. Instead we’ll take Pederson and I guess Seager. Too bad Urias isn’t a righty. Those two would have worked. Nothing else seems like an improvement over our farm system
Haha thanks for the laugh
Ya, the dodgers will mention him as a player they will never trade for ramirez.
Yeah agree and don’t forget about Kevan Smith who had a nice year at AA and started off really nicely in the AFL this year.
The Sox will go after top of the line, controllable right handed pitching prospects that are very close to or are ready for the majors. (i.e. Syndergaard, Montero, DeGrom) plus another quality arm or offensive prospect.
Truthfully I don’t see the Mets doing that. Like the White Sox, they are a few years away from contention and I just can’t picture them giving up top prospects for a 1 (possibly 2) year player.
I think the Sox are a few bullpen pieces and a good left handed run producer away from contention now.
Ehh, maybe they’d go from a 73 win to 80+ but i wouldn’t’ say that’s contention.
The Mets got 79 wins last year, they can contend next year with a productive lf, an ss
Smith is 26 at AA. Age for level. Age for level. Age for level.
Smith was drafted a couple yrs older than most college picks. He’s right on track.
Yeah its not a need, I think Nieto can be a decent catcher but C, RHSP, & closer are the top positions they could upgrade & then also a LH bat.
Right now as it sits, the top needs are LF, DH, RHSP, BP (they’ll spend in FA), Farm System depth and then probably C.
What about JR Murphy for Ramirez? (maybe others too?
And Rick Hahn hangs up his phone and laughs. Calls up a few other GMs just to tell them the funny story.
Murphy and a pitcher, two things the Sox need and the Yankees pay almost all if not the entire salary. Scratching your back, Sox need help and thats what the Yanks would be doing by clearing money
Murphy isn’t an upgrade over Flowers or even Phegley for that matter. Hell Nieto would be right there with him.
Phegley is a bit of a stretch, hes gonna be 27 next year and looks like a career minor leaguer. I would say Murphys upside is higher considering hes younger
Yea but I can’t picture the Mets trading away young talent if they are in rebuilding mode too.
If we’re just making things up: Brendan Ryan is better than Ramirez anyway.
If that were to happen, Cashman calls back and says “Well I robbed you of Swisher, I thought I can maybe give you a pretty fair offer in return”.
Not really a robbery when Chicago needed the poison out of their clubhouse.
Doesn’t mean he should be traded for scrap though. Red Sox knew Manny was a poison and they got back a very productive Jason Bay.
Probably something else too, I’m thinking they are looking for at least 1 solid prospect.
The article says they want a right-handed starting pitcher.
Have to think it would take a lot more since Ramirez is signed to an affordable contract with 2 more years of team control.
Well I did say maybe others too.
Not sure what you meant my maybe others too. Does that mean other of the Yankees’ top 10 prospects?
Severino and Murphy would get it done.
That may though I can’t see the Yanks doing that
Give them Phelps instead.
Lol! How fast does Rick Hahn hang up. Over/under I say is three seconds after Cashman finishes that first sentence.
Yankees have nothing that screams “must have”. Their farm system basically is brutal and overrated.
I do like Luis Severino and Gary Sanchez plus guys like Judge and the other OF as well.
Tyler Austin?
It’s ranked higher than the White Sox farm in case you don’t know 🙂
By whose ranking?
Baseball America from last October. Yanks were 16th. White Sox were 24th. And I expect the Yanks to move up a couple of spots. Perhaps the Sox do too though.
Oh, I was hoping for midseason rankings, but I do believe the CWS will go up considerably because of Rodon. What does NY have besides Severino, Clarkin, Judge and Sanchez?
Bird, Refsnyder, Lindgren to name a few.
No one really does midseason rankings, but Badler said he liked the Yankees system better a couple of days ago.
We all have preferences and opinions. I was more of a Mary Ann kind of guy. Most preferred Ginger. My grandfather between those two, said he was all over Mrs. Howell. IOW, I justjust respectfully disagree with Mr. Badler if he really said that.
Ramirez,Cave to nme dew
Oh yes. I remember it well. The good ole days. Alot has changed since then. Strange things. Even gas prices are lower than back in October of 2013. I would be willing to bet Sox system is probably 5-10 teams above the Yankees is in present day America.
I responded to this already to wsox. Unfortunately mid season rankings are only done by local writers and journalists that I can find. Not Baseball America. By the way, the writers/journalists still rank Yanks ahead.
“I would be willing to bet Sox system is probably 5-10 teams above the Yankees”
If by Above you meant Below, then you would have a good shot at winning the bet.
Scouting Book 2015 Rankings
Yankees – 17
White Sox – 22
Happy now? (I guess not since they are still bottom 10)
Give me major league ready names in the Yankees farm system. Please do not include their overrated catchers. I’ll sit down and wait for my answer because I have a feeling it will take awhile.
Awhile? How about not even a minute.
Refsnyder and Lindgren and Pirela very well can be on the 2015 roster
Give me ML ready names from the White Sox.
Again, you just sound bitter that a team I assume you hate has a better farm than your favorite team.
Carlos Rodon, Micah Johnson, Erik Johnson, Matt Davidson, Marcus Semien, Carlos Sanchez, Erik Surkamp, Trayce Thompson, Josh Phegley, Chris Bassitt, Chris Beck, Andy Wilkins and soon to be Frankie Montas. Any other questions?
I forgot Jace Fry who could contribute by September.
If all of those names you mentioned were MLB ready level players, the White Sox farm system would probably be #1. As of now, it’s a bottom 10 farm system.
Yes can you do the same list but exclude the bad players? No one cares that Phelgy or surkamp is major league ready they aren’t prospects. Michah Johnson who is one of the WSox best prospects isn’t even considered better than Rob Refsynder.
Their system doesn’t seem to have a lot of high-end prospects but is it really rated that high to be considered overrated?
Alexei won’t come cheap boys. Load up them offers and we shall see what arguably the top shortstop outside of Denver will cost.
Yeah Tulo will cost a lot.
Honestly I would rather trade for Ramirez than Tulo, will cost less and has had far fewer injuries. Tulo is great but he just can’t stay healthy.
In seven years, I do not recall A-Ram ever missing time to an injury.
Alexi helped the Cuban players adjust to America, the AL and the Sox, and has now become a team leader of all players. With Konerko goen, the Sox need all the veteran leadership they can get. Understand if he goes, but would hate to see it.
Yeah, definitely agree with this. I’m saying all this in here and unless the Sox are overwhelmed by an offer, I’d like to keep him.
Latos, Cozart and Barnhart for Ramirez +
Wouldn’t get it done for the Reds. Latos is a nice pitcher but only has one year left and he reportedly wants Bailey money and Cozart is a good defensive bench player and Barnhart hasn’t been good anywhere he’s played. Not happening.
Anderson is a sick athlete but he’s more than a year away c’mon. 7 walks and 35 errors over 84 games at SS. Errors aren’t the end all be all but anyone walking 7 times with 345 ab’s and 34 errors has to be seen as a multiple years away guy.
Most consider Anderson ready sometime in the middle of the 2016 season. That is why the Sox aren’t forced to trade Ramirez. They still have him for another 2 seasons at a bargain of $10M per season.
Sure it’s possible mid-2016 he is ready. I’m not hating on him but there is nothing to suggest he’s so close that opening day 2016 (meaning 1 year bridge) and he’s ready. He’s a premium athlete who is could end up in CF if SS doesn’t work out. Unless the White Sox are willing to “give away” multiple seasons my guess is Ramirez is “available” because they think they can get a huge return given the AWFUL SS market and his sweet contract.
This is the problem. The Sox really don’t have another SS close to ready, and Hahn is on record as saying he expects them to contend in 2015 (and he will be pushed by the Cubs as they are on the verge of taking over the neutral baseball fans). Alexi’s contract is quite reasonable, he locked up for 2 more years, and with the shape he’s in he can man the SS position at the Cell for another 5 years.
If they don’t get an overpay that are young, controllable players, I just can’t see Hahn trading him. The guy’s a sharp GM.
I don’t think Rick Hahn cares what the Cubs are doing. It shouldn’t alter his game plan. Stay on the path they are on. They are building a contender in a lot less time than the north side is. Theo is on his fourth year and fourth managerI believe. Rick’s doing an unbelievable job in half the time.
I agree with you on the fact that Alexei is a cost controlled commodity for two years leading to Tim Anderson. I don’t know if Carlos Sanchez or Marcus Semien can play short well. That’s why I would not trade him unless I was blown away with an offer. Pederson, Urias or Seager would be the only ones on the Dodgers system that would blow me away. The Yankees do not have any major league ready minor leaguers that I see as an upgrade from what I already have. The Mets are certainly intreging with their system.
My prediction: Phillies, Tigers, D-backs, Mets, or Pirates.
Why? Because all of their stadiums are named after financial institutes, and Alexei is gaining a lot of interest.
*Drops mic*
I like the reasoning behind this.
Seems as logical as the comments above which assume the penny pinching White Sox will gladly part with what might be their most respected player just to get out from under and onerous $10M contract.
Take the Tigers out of it because they have a young and cheap shortstop and also because they don’t have the prospects or players to trade for him. And interdivision trades are very rare.
As much as I want to hate on Alexei because of his age and moderately high contract, he is about as durable and reliable as it gets and has not shown any signs of needing to move off SS.. In this market, he could merit a couple nice pieces if the Sox trade him and is well worth $10mil
Shark for Alexei and a decent prospect.
I’m pretty sure that would be the other way around. Samardzija has only 1 year left on his deal and Ramirez has 2 years.
Alexei is worth more than Shark since he has twice as many years of team control reaming.
Agreed. And after trading Russell with the 27th ranked farm in baseball going into the season, they are probably dead last now.
The Angels, who were likely last in most publications, cleared out a few of their top prospects in trades during the season
I think that honor still belongs to the Angels or maybe the Tigers. The Angels had to trade 2 of their “top 10” prospects just to acquire Houston Street.
Ahhh. I forgot about that. Man they massively overpaid for Street.
No our prospects just weren’t that good…. they would not have been anywhere near top 10 prospects in any other farm system. Sean Newcomb (2014 1st round pick), Nick Torpeano (just acquired from the Astros) and Roberto Baldoquin (signed this month) will probably all make the Angels top ten list going into next year.
If you look at Mike Rosenbaum’s farm ranking list after the MiLB season. It goes Angels, Tigers, Brewers, Giants and Rays as the bottom 5. Top 5 are Pirates, Mets, Red Sox, Astros, and Twins.
I would do that! Buts it’s the other way around
Alexei – Shark or Kazmir?
Shark and prospect(s) for Alexi
I’d do that if it wasn’t a top 5 prospect.
What prospects do the A’s have? Russell was their only one in the Top 100.
Don’t know much about their farm system. It was just a thought. Maybe guys like Matt Olsen and Alcantara.
Daniel Robertson and Matt Olson our other two 1st round picks along with Russell in 2012 draft are top prospects. Both will be in the next top 100. Those two and Chad Pinder and Renato Nunez make up the infield for AA and are all top 10 for us. Raul Alcantara, Chris Jensen, and Seth Stretch make up the best pitchers in the farm.
Thanks for the update.
The Angels, A’s and Tigers, which were all significantly depleted at the 2014 trade deadline, are among the worst farm systems in the MLB currently.
Interesting proposal. Sox would need to agree to an extension with Samardzija prior too and depends on the prospect(s). I still would like to know who the shortstop would be.
Shark is not that good of a pitcher
But he is better than what the White Sox have. And if he is traded before ST starts he can still get the QO.
Shark would be the Sox #3. I’d take him and a top 100 for Alexei in a heart beat; just peddle him at the deadline for another top 100.
A’s only have 2 top 100 prospects and I doubt either of them will be traded this offseason since the farm system is so weak already.
If you look at mlb.coms list they don’t have any top 100 guys.
oakland.athletics.mlb.com/mlb/prospects/watch/y201…
This link says top 100 and Robertson (85) and Olson (98) appear to be on it… regardless I would be shocked if both do not appear on the next one.
Yea he is better than Danks and their 5 guy who I don’t even know. But the only problem is that the A’s project to only have 1 top 100 guy. And if you look at mlb.coms list they don’t have any top 100 guys.
Maybe so – those lists are fluid though. The Sox will probably have 4 on the next set of top 100 lists, only one of whom appeared on the list last year. Sox need an OF. Beane may be able to come up with a young one for the Sox.
The best outfielder in the farm system is Boog Powell who will be in A+ next year, no where near big league ready. Athletics have plenty of minor league depth in the IF but little in the OF.
No way thats not even worth it
We meet again! If the a’s purpose shark and decent quality prospect for alexi, I would take it in a heartbeat.
Let’s get one thing straight: The White Sox don’t NEED to trade Ramirez, and won’t unless the right package comes along. He has significant value at a reasonable price, and could easily be a part of the next competitive White Sox team.
Then he will be wearing a White Sox Jersey. He is a 33 year old shortstop with a modestly successful history. Keep him and combine with Abreu etc. You got two years…….good luck.
I really wouldn’t call averaging 3 fWAR per season and never going on the DL in your career a “modestly successful history.” There are plenty of teams that would benefit from adding Alexei
He’s been a fine player with success in the past. He has not been a star and is a 33 year old shortstop. Not a commodity I would be willing to part with too much for.
But he’s not declining either and he’s durable. Being a star in the past, if anything, would hurt his value, as he would seem to be declining. He’s not worth an elite prospect. But he’s worth top 70 or so or a young player of some sort who has talent but has been used in limited roles because he is blocked on his current team.
That would seem to be reasonable given his contract. I’d do a 50-75 prospect and a risky young high upside guy for him.
You’re not declining until you do.
In my mind only 1 trade would make sense. That would be for a MLB ready catcher and 2 minor league pitchers.
Although the Sox need a LF and a RH SP. They shouldn’t trade for anything less than a catcher. Catchers are rare and quality, young catchers never hit the free agent market.
A LF will be signed through FA this offseason and a RH SP should be sought after next offseason. There is no absolute need to trade Alexei, but for the right catcher, then I would jump on it.
Hopefully the white sox will try to get cargo!!
Didn’t the White Sox reject a Ramirez/Carlos Martinez trade not too long ago? If they want something like that and more I don’t see the White Sox trading for him unless a team like the Mets overpay for him.
I think this was just a rumor, at the time it seemed like an overpay from the Cardinals that the Sox would never have rejected. Not that the cardinals want Alexei, but now I wouldn’t even do it if I were the Sox.
That’s the funny thing about prospects; last year he would have been an overpay. This year, he’s an underpay, although I’d still take him and maybe another decent prospect.
How about to the Mets for Lucas Duda and Zack Wheeler?
Not a chance the Mets do that
No chance in hell, I think Sox fans are severely overvaluing Ramirez.
They are. He’s all glove, and an average bat. And someone below suggested they should only trade him if they get 3-4 Top Prospects LOL.
Average bat…the 2010 & 2014 Silver Slugger award winning Alexi Ramirez. I have to think that should merit a MLB ready prospect and maybe 2 B’s but as always…the talents go to the highest bidder.
You’re seriously using Silver Slugger awards to , I presume claim, he’s a good hitter? Jeter won 5 Gold Gloves, must have been great defensively
Danny Santana on the Twins was completely robbed. He had a .472 Slugging Percentage, the next highest was .408 (happened to be Alexi). a wRC+ of 132, the next highest was 108 (Marwin Gonzalez). Ramirez was ranked 7th at 97
Your claim of average bat…doesn’t jive with a silver slugger award. Sure arguably the best hitting SS in AL MLB but better than average (and not bad defensively either). Still merits a MLB ready prospect and 2 B’s.
“Your claim of average bat…doesn’t jive with a silver slugger award”
I’m saying to use the Silver Slugger award to grade his bat is completely pointless. And all stats point to his bat being average if not Below average. The AL SS class is completely weak though compared to the NL.
And no he won’t merit a MLB ready prospects And 2 B’s. He’s under contract for only 1 more year, and as I mentioned, his numbers with the bat aren’t good (and again, please don’t use the Silver Slugger award as your argument)
For the record, there’s also been no indication the White Sox want to trade him. All it says is teams are interested.
Throw in Viciedo as well.
Viciedo and Ramirez for Duda and Wheeler I think could work.
Yankees should sign either Stephen Drew or Asdrubal Cabrera until the can find a true, long-term solution to at SS.
Agreed. I really think Drew will be a good bargain pick up this off season, no way he is as bad as he played last year and that .194 BABIP is sure to go up.
Alexei to the Mets for Lucas Duda and Zack Wheeler?
I am only assuming this is a joke
Sadly he isn’t joking.
As white sox fan. I am puzzled with rick Hann’s agenda for the offseason. I won’t be surprised if he does trade alexi. The real question is if alexi is dealt, who will play short? It could well possibly be Micah Johnson.
Montero, Plawecki & Reynolds
not a terrible package, but a bit too much for my comfort, especially if the mets are going to be trading for a big OF bat as well. As a Mets fan I would like to hold on to Plawecki for a second deal and see if we can’t substitute a lesser piece.
Agree if there is that second deal to be had, would probably have to include a BP arm then though
Make them overpay or let him stay!
Right on i agree ^
I can’t see why the Sox would move him, fellow Cuban like Abreu, quality player at a tough position to fill.
The only reason I can think of is salary, since he’s getting $10M next year with a team option for 2016, up from $7M in 2013.
If they do trade him I hope it’s for another MLB-ready prospect that can fill a hole in the lineup. Maybe Gaby Sanchez from the Yankees?
2 things. 1. Since when did GaBy Sanchez sign with the Yankees. and 2. the White Sox would get hosed if all they got was GaBy Sanchez.
Gary Sanchez on the other hand is a start.
Ramirez isn’t going anywhere. He’ll probably sign an extension.
210 comments.. I think this is the most popular White Sox story on this site in ages. Lol. I agree we would only trade Alexei for high/top level RH pitching.. As for LF..
Why don’t we sign Alex Rios to come back and play LF? Hes aging but still puts up ‘okay’ numbers batting.. and surely that would be a massive defensive upgrade out there?
If Alex Rios is a massive defensive upgrade, then you surely must have the worst defensive OF in baseball by far.
Have you ever watched Dayan Viciedo play out there? Yeah. Its bad. How is Rios that bad? He was always regarded as an above average fielder I thought?
I probably have but I don’t recall how good or bad he is. I’ll take your word for it that he’s bad.
Last 4 years for Rios for Def
2011- -6.3
2012- -5.6
2013- -3.9
2014- -10.9
If I’m Rick Hahn, I’m asking for these players from those 3 teams….
NYM – C Kevin Plawecki and OF Brandon Nimmo
Yankees:
OF Aaron Judge and RHP Luis Severino
Dodgers:
OF Scott Schebler, RHP Zach Lee, LHP Chris Reed
Cashman laughs and hangs up the phone. 2 Top 50 prospects for an average hitting (though great defending) SS for ONE season?
Average hitting? Is that how he won Silver Slugger again this year?
Yeah that .403 Slugging percentage is awesome. You’re joking me right? Do you use Gold Glove awards to grade defense too?. That makes Jeter one of the best ever!!!
His OPS+ was 101, exactly 1% above average. But here’s something you may not know. This is the first time since his rookie season (2008) it was Above 100. His career OPS+ is 92. So you’re right, he’s not an average hitter, he’s a Below average hitter (career that is).
Average hitting at shortstop is pretty hard to find. Especially average hitting from a good defensive shortstop.
I’m aware
Again, you are comparing the offensive SS to the offense of other players. SS is a defense first position, and Alexei has the defense part down, and is also providing above average offense FOR A SS.
Just because he’s one of the best of a very weak class doesn’t mean he’s worth top prospects. You’re missing my point. He is an Average Offensive hitter.
wRC+ was 97. Position plays a role in wRC+. Average wRC+ is 100.
Your turn
Position does NOT play a role in wRC+ as Fangraph’s explains it. All position players are graded on the 100 scale, with positions having no importance.
That’s probably why he said that’s what Rick Hahn should ASK for. If the Yankees aren’t willing to part with Judge and Severino, the Sox can look elsewhere. They aren’t in a position where they really need to move him. But if someone is willing to part with talent to get him, the Sox certainly won’t get in their way.
Rick Hahn could ask for whatever he wants, and Cashman, Anderson, and the Dodgers GM can offer what they want. Doesn’t mean both parties will get what they want.
I do agree with your latter part though. They certainly are not in a position where they have to move him, and all of this just says that teams are Interested. Not that the White Sox are interested in trading him.
I think they will keep him.
I’m a little torn about whether or not I’d like to see Alexei go. He’s a really talented player, but unfortunately, the Sox don’t have much else of value that they can (or would want to) deal. It seems to me like the smart thing to do from an organizational standpoint would be to try to turn him into prospect or 2 that can help the team moving forward, even if that mean sacrificing production at the SS position in the short term.
Also true. The Sox have all the leverage here because they have, supposedly, multiple suitors, and have no need to trade the player away if they don’t get a favorable offer. Not like they are cutting costs, or Tim Anderson is pushing Alexei out the door yet. Sox hold all the cards to hold out for a solid return.
Slow your roll. First of all, neither of those 2 guys have ever been ranked as top 100 prospects, let alone top 50 yet. “Average hitting” as to compared to what? The rest of the position players? That’s quite irrelevant considering he only plays SS. Compare him to other AL SS offensively, and he ranked #2 last year. He’s a very above average offensive SS, and a great defender. He’s also extremely durable, and is signed for TWO more years (2016 option) at only $10M per year. Cashman would be foolish to hang up.
The SS is a very weak position in the AL offensively. Just because he’s one of the best hitting SS in the AL , that doesn’t make him an above average bat. Even advanced stats will show you that
To answer your first part, rumors are that both will make the top 50, if not top 100. I’m sure you are aware these rankings change year round. Some get promoted to the Bigs, some drop down, some move up.
If I’m the Yankees I’d offer Murphy and Phelps or Greene and if the White Sox pass, then move on
Cashman would be foolish to accept it. Not hang up. If he is to trade his top 2 prospect for a 33 year old,he should be fired Immediately. Why waste young talent when there are younger ones you can sign?
2nd year is a team option. Doesn’t mean he would be worth it. He could have a Steven Drew season and just tank.
You realize that another “below average bat” will be playing SS next year for the Yankees right? That’s what SS are in baseball, below average bats (since you insist on putting them on the same scale as every other position). I’d like to know what advanced stats will tell me that Alexei is not an above average bat for a SS.
I agree they will both be top 100 guys, but top 50 I’m not so sure of. I guess we’ll find out in a month or so. And yes, I know how rankings work, I’m very in to prospects.
JR Murphy doesn’t really interest me. I’d much rather pursue those Plawecki from the Mets.
“I’d like to know what advanced stats will tell me that Alexei is not an above average bat for a SS.”
wRC+
I was hoping you’d say that, so I could inform you that wRC+ is not a positional scale. Alexei’s offense is judged the same as Mike Trout’s offense. In 2010, the median wRC+ for SS was about 92. That number has surely fallen with the new influx if heavy glove, no bat SS in baseball. Alexei’s wRC+ last year was 97, 3rd best in the AL. His offensive WAR was 2.4, 2nd best in the AL. That’s an above average offensive SS.
My apologies then. I could have sworn 1- It uses wOBA and 2- Position plays a factor in wOBA.
Dealing him makes a lot of sense but only if they land some high end pitching talent in return. Ramirez is a talented player and I have to think his trade value could net a nice blue chipper!
3 or 4 top prospects for Alexei or no deal
You’re insane if you think a 33 year old SS with 1 year left on his contract will net you 3 or 4 top prospects. This is Alexi Ramirez who has an OPS+ of only 92 for his career.
He’s about a 3 WAR player. That will not get you 3 or 4 top prospects. 1 at Most.
He has 2 years left, at $10M each. Very affordable contract.
Alexei Ramirez taking over for Derek Jeter. Now there’s a sentence I thought I’d never write!
White Sox fan here and just wanted to say that no one takes over for Derek Jeter! You sort of pick up the pieces and move on. Alexei would be great in NY or anywhere but to take over for Jeter? I don’t think I would look at it that way. If he is traded I hope it is somehow to creatively make us better for 2015. We do not have an everyday player in the organization ready for next year. Hahn is doing a good job. Maybe we make NY take Danks on as well.
lol, well someone’s gotta do it. If it’s Stephen Drew, I just hope the Yankees are paying $2 million give or take for him.
It would be sad to see Alexi’s bat go, but will not miss his approach in the field. Makes great plays but boy he really hurts you when he needs to make a simple play sometimes.
If you get a good package for him, great. Plus you have Micah Johnson and Carlos Sanchez, one of those two should be able to take over at SS for a season
I think you’re remember the Alexei from like 2009 when he used to make bad throws on easy plays. He makes all the easy one and a good amount of the hard ones. He’s one of the best overall SS in baseball when you consider durability, defense, and intelligence.
Now this I agree with you on.
Used to? Did you happen to watch any games this season? The fact that he was nominated as a gold glove candidate stunned me after watching him this season. Again makes GREAT plays at times, but often his glove opened up many big late innings on the WS bullpen, and usually on what should be easy ground balls. Again I’m not saying trade him for a box of baseballs, this is not Adam Dunn here, but if someone wows you, he is expendable IMO.
He’s obviously expendable, due to his age, but yes, I watched 90% of the games last season. His glove did NOT open up many big games on easy ground balls. Look at the defensive metrics, he recorded the 5th best ErrR in baseball for SS.
Yankee fans have to remember, they are the ones that want Alexei. I as a Sox fan is not screaming for Alexei must be traded to the Yankees. With the right additions, Sox will contend this year. I do not want to see the top shortstop in the game who won the Silver Slugger award and was a finalist for gold glove to be traded. Some team would have to blow Rick Hahn away. It won’t be Christmas in November for N.Y.
He’d be a good option to have. As mentioned below by Benjamin Orr, their are other SS on the market, though Alexi is arguably better than all of them except Hanley.
Sox contending will take a lot of luck. They are the 4th best team in the division. You not only need your own team to improve but you need the 3 teams in front of you to do worse to stand a chance. I see the them being maybe an 80 win team next year. Who knows. Surprises happen though.
Even if the Yankees are interested in him, are they willing to give up potentially good prospects for a 33-year old shortstop? Alexei Ramirez is a fine shortstop don’t get me wrong, but it makes me wonder why would the Yankees give anything up with Asdrubal Cabrera, Jed Lowrie, Stephen Drew (if he can bounce back) and yes, even Hanley Ramirez on the market. Cashman did wonders in trading for McCarthy, Pineda, Headley, and even Ichiro, but I have a feeling the Yankees won’t be able to get many bargain trades like they have in the past, especially for someone like Ramirez.
Because if those guys received QO from their last team then they have to give up a 2nd rd draft pick in 15 if I am not mistaken.
Plus Alexi is likely going to cost less, and have less of a contract to contend with in length, if they trade for him vs signing someone as a FA I believe.
Yeah, but they wouldn’t have to give up anyone they have already in the minors. I get what you’re saying, because potentially they’d be losing another player by not getting the draft pick. I’d say it would depend on what the White Sox would want for Ramirez.
Judge and Severino.
Again…. Not happening. Cashman hangs up and laughs. This is Alexi, not Tulo
They got Martin Prado for a player who wasn’t even in their top 10 prospect list. What on Earth makes you think they will trade away their Top TWO prospects for Alexi???
Just saw BA’s new rankings for the Yankees system. Very surprised to see Severino jump all the way up to #1. Didn’t expect that. So in light of these discoveries, I’d revise my offer to Judge and Clarkin. or maybe Gary Sanchez and Greg Bird.
Judge and Clark in is more fair but still lopsided in the Sox favor. I would do Judge and a low level prospect and that’s all. Though again, I think all of this is moot and the Sox keep him LOL
More than likely, yes, he probably stays in Chicago until the team is out of it in July and they can force a team to overpay.
As a sox fan I really wouldn’t want to see a trade unless the package is significant. Anderson is at least a year away, barring a monster year next season, but in a dream world I’d rather see them do a trade to the Mets where they eat a majority of the contract in an attempt to get synd and low level prospects such as marcos molina or possibly a package featuring plawecki and cecchini. The value is high on A-Ram because of his contract and the fact so I do not believe synd is out of the question at this point
There are no reports anywhere that he’s on the trading block. Everyone is misreading it. It’s reporting teams that have interest. Teams have been interested in Stanton and Felix and if Stanton gets that extension, there’s a great chance they are with their active teams for life.
Exactly that is why the Sox won’t trade him unless they are blown away by an offer.
which they try trade him last year and year before that and no one pay the high price for him
Tony, I’m unsure why if your a cub fan; that you feel the need to blog on White SOX article. Marlins won’t have money after they lock in Stanton. I’d love to take Yelich, J. Fernandez and McGehee off their hands for them. Be patient Tony maybe your grandkids will see cubbies win a W.S.
Im a diehard white sox fan not a cubs fan
Jacob DeGrom looks to become a stud. I believe Alex Cobb is available in Tampa Bay
Javy Guerra, Nate Jones, & Viciedo for Daniel Murphy and Jacob DeGrom.
Alexei will retire in a White Sox uniform. I can’t remember him ever being injured for any extended period of time. He enjoys playing the game & his game shows that. I would trade him for Duda & deGrom, but I don’t think Mets are that foolish. Alexei will most likely be an above average player for another 5-6 years. His solid batting avg., wirey strength and defensive range makes him a top 5 SS in my book.
How u know the white Sox sign him after 2016 I don’t think they sign him after 2016.
Just telling ya what I think Hahn should do with Alexei, Tony lock him up for as long as he can remain effective. He is true professional and he loves being a White Sock
Hey dude I agree I like Alexei a lot man