The Braves have acquired right-handed reliever Jose Ramirez from the Mariners in exchange for a player to be named later and/or cash considerations, per announcements from each club. By moving Ramirez, Mariners GM Jerry Dipoto has now traded both players that were acquired by his predecessor, Jack Zduriencik, in the trade that sent Dustin Ackley to the Yankees. (Outfielder Ramon Flores was sent to Milwaukee in exchange for infielder Luis Sardinas.)
Ramirez, 25, is a hard-throwing reliever that is out of minor league options and will thus need to break camp with the Braves out of Spring Training or be exposed to outright waivers. He’s averaged 95.2 mph on his heater in limited Major League experience but yielded 17 earned runs in 17 2/3 innings as a big leaguer.
Ramirez’s strikeout rate began to climb in the minors when he was shifted from a starting role to the bullpen, and he’s displayed a penchant for missing bats since the transition. However, while he’s struck out 110 batters in 106 1/3 innings at the Triple-A level (mostly out of the bullpen), he’s also issued 61 walks and hit seven batters in that time, demonstrating some troublesome control problems. Former Fangraphs scribe Kiley McDaniel ranked Ramirez 23rd among Yankees farmhands heading into the 2015 season last year, noting that he’s hit 100 mph with his fastball and has, at times, displayed a 70-grade changeup, stating that he’s shown “relief phenom-level stuff” when at his best but has struggled greatly to stay on the field (albeit not due to arm struggles).
Nonetheless, he’ll give Atlanta another intriguing arm to add to its bullpen mix in Spring Training at what appears to be a low cost of acquisition.
bravesred 2
One word… Why?
bravesmatt
Did you watch our bullpen last year? No reason not to give it a shot
harmony55
From Seattle’s perspective, perhaps to open a slot on the 40-man roster for a free agent signing.
Or not.
bravesred 2
As long as he turns out like Soriano.
jaysfan77
Yes, obviously they felt he wasn’t going to make the team, and would likely get claimed for nothing.
blueberryninja
You can never have to much pitching.
hanks1hammer
Well if that is the justification, the Braves might as well as higher me to add bullpin depth
davbee
Sure you can–if it’s bad pitching and it’s taking up a roster spot.
JT19
The Braves are giving up a PTBNL or cash. If the Braves end up sending cash or a low level prospect then there is no harm done in the deal. The only way this is a bad deal for the Braves is if they end up giving up a top 20-25 prospect (I don’t know how deep or how good the farm is so the prospect possibly given up depends on that).
Backatitagain
Probably a drafted player from 2015 that can not be dealt for the first year. I guess Chase Johnson-Mullins because he has two last names instead of two first names. Plus he sounds so west coast.
Jervass
Depth. The Braves need to sign players for their minor league affiliates, too.
Best case: Ramirez figures out his control issues and that 100 MPH heater becomes a weapon.
Worst case: Ramirez can’t control his 100 MPH heater, and it becomes a literal weapon…in the minors. Assuming he accepts the assignment.
marinersfan1977
Ramirez is out of options, so he’d have to clear waivers to be sent to the minors.
hanks1hammer
A player to be named later? Anything more than a stick of gum is an over pay.
A'sfaninUK
Has anyone actually ever seen Dipoto and Preller in the same room?
Kapler's Coconut Oil
Not yet, but they will this upcoming week
davengmusic
Guess we now know what Jerry DiPoto thinks about Jack Z’s moves.
rmullig2
This is going to look really bad if Ackley figures it out in New York.
JT19
Ackley wasn’t figuring it out in Seattle so a change of scenery was needed. Also if he does figure it out in NY, then that’s on Jack Z. This only falls on Dipoto if Flores and Ramirez end up being contributers and/or Flores does better than Sardinas.
marinersfan1977
Its not on Dipoto at all. He likely would have kept Flores if not for the broken leg. Flores is out of options & won’t be healthy enough for opening day 2016, but would have to be on ML roster 20 days after coming off the DL. Ramirez and the other arm Dipoto discarded, Edgar Olmos, both walked exactly twice as many batters as they struck out last year
Not Xabial
I definitely read that as Jose Fernandez lol
kingfelix34
I was wondering why the Marlins only got ptbnl for Fernandez, lol
Backatitagain
Could be if it was Kolby Allard.
RunDMC
Kiley McDaniel strikes
wolfetheoneandonly
Another garbage pickup
Backatitagain
How can Ramirez be out of options? He debuted in June of 2014. He has three years of options. Thus he should have options through the end of 2016 season.