Ramon Ramirez, an infield prospect in the Orioles system, died in a motorcycle accident on Saturday in the Dominican Republic. The 23-year-old Ramirez signed with the O’s in 2014 and played second, third and shortstop in 55 games at the Rookie League and low- and high-A ball levels over the last two seasons. “Our entire organization is deeply saddened by the sudden and tragic death of Ramon Ramirez. As a member of the Orioles organization, Ramon worked tirelessly to make the most of his opportunity to play professional baseball. Our thoughts are with his family, friends, teammates, and coaches as we mourn this unimaginable loss,” Orioles executive VP Dan Duquette said in a statement today. We at MLB Trade Rumors join the Orioles and the baseball world in expressing our condolences to Ramirez’s loved ones.
Some news from around the AL East…
- The Orioles’ acquisition of first baseman/outfielder Efren Navarro adds some depth and gives Baltimore some roster flexibility, MASNsports.com’s Roch Kubatko writes. With Navarro now in the mix as a first base backup behind Chris Davis, the O’s could use young first basemen Christian Walker or Trey Mancini as trade chips. Since Navarro is a well-regarded defender at first, Kubatko also wonders if Davis could see more time in the outfield. Davis said he’s “always open to doing whatever it takes to win,” though noted that he’s much more comfortable in right field than left.
- Now that the Rays have traded Jake McGee, their next move could be to acquire a replacement setup man, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times writes. Alex Colome and Xavier Cedeno form a righty-lefty setup combo at the moment, though Topkin thinks the Rays could sign another veteran bullpen option (though not a big name like Tyler Clippard) or potentially trade for a reliever by dealing from their outfield surplus. Brandon Guyer or Desmond Jennings could be trade chips in that scenario, Topkin opines, though interested teams may need to see that Jennings is healthy in Spring Training following his injury-plagued 2015 season. The Rays still aren’t generating any trade buzz on James Loney, despite their willingness to cover part of his salary.
- The only team yet to sign a Major League free agent this offseason has been, of all teams, the Yankees. While GM Brian Cashman tells Anthony McCarron of the New York Daily News that the club “explored all avenues” to upgrade the roster, the Bronx Bombers have been much more focused on trades rather than free agent signings over the last two offseasons. This winter, such major names as Aroldis Chapman, Starlin Castro and Aaron Hicks joined the team. “There’s a lot of different ways to climb the mountain. This winter took us to trades. We spent money, but it was acquiring contracts through trades. We’ve traded talent from our system to do that,” Cashman said.
- There’s little question that Blue Jays fans want Jose Bautista to sign an extension, as evidenced by a very pro-Bautista response at a recent “Pitch Talks” speaker series event in Toronto. FOX Sports’ Ken Rosenthal, one of the speakers at the event, used the response to illustrate the sometimes stark difference in perspective between fans and front offices. While there are solid baseball reasons to keep Bautista (as outlined by Sportsnet’s Arden Zwelling at the event), general front office logic would dictate that extending a veteran slugger past his age-35 season isn’t necessarily a wise move. While many fans understand this reasoning, that doesn’t stop the more general sentiment amongst the fanbase that the Jays should keep a player who has been such a huge star for the franchise. I outlined the tricky situation the Jays face with Bautista in an Extension Candidate entry last November.
There’s this thing called the DH in the American League. Bautista can continue raking for at least a few more years. In this case, the “sentimental” fans are right.
Agreed Joey bats would work at DH but would it be worth the money he is gonna want to sign an extention
It’s an age issue. Bautista has beaten the odds before, but no one knows exactly when father time will tap a player on the shoulder and he’s done. He certainly didn’t show any sign in 2015, but that can change quickly. A little regression in 2016 and by 2017 he could be struggling. He’ll need to keep hitting at a high level to be a DH and be worth the $20+ AAV he’ll demand.
As a Yankee fan stuck with A Rod and Beltran clogging up the DH, you will be glad not to have the Jays ink him the 2 or 3 yr deal he will get somewhere and lose the lineup flexibility. Besides, you made your run last year and it’s going to be another 20 before you make a run at the post season again!
ARod clogging the DH?!?! Beltran, yeah.
Tbh he’s not going to command over 20 million because of his age. It would be a good thing to do to lock up the franchise face for the rest of his career.
Angels need a left fielder, the rays can take salas or bedrosian
Jays should trade one of Encarnacion or Bautista since they are not going to sign both. Probably have to wait for the deadline though. I would have traded EE and signed Chris Davis. Given his age, and with a QO offer over his head, the Jays have a better shot at resigning Bautista
Can’t trade a person who doesn’t want to be traded when they have 10-5 rights. I suggest you look up this clause and see why a guy on a contending club who’s about to hit free agency would want to be traded to another city when the lineup and stadium where they are currently plays perfectly for a walk year.
They’re going to want to pad those offensive stats as much as possible. By the way, not one contending club is going to give up what the Jays want which is Major League ready talent because they’re trying to win this year. Only contending clubs want a Bautista/Encarnacion because they’re on expiring contracts.
It’s difficult, but trades of major league talent are done all the time. Look at Revere/Storen, you could easily have said why would a contending team give up a setup man for Revere, yet it happened. There are a lot of variables that make those deals possible (length of team control, depth at those positions,, etc.) in that each team feels like the deal helps them more than hurts them.
Best wishes to the Ramirez family in this terrible time.
The Reds haven’t signed a major League free agent either.
That’s less surprising. Since free agency came about in the 1970s, the Yankees have never had offseason when they didn’t sign a major league free agent.
RIP kid
I think they should trade E5 and move Joey to DH immediately to save him from injuries. They could probably get a top 100 prospect for a year of E5, homers always pay.
If there’s a chance that the NL is going to adopt the DH in either 2017 or 2018, then Bautista’s market will increase quite a bit.
I trade JoeyBats unless he signs a 3 year incentive heavy contract. Otherwise, get some picks and prospects and move on. If you want a DH, keep EE.
I don’t know why the A’s are committing to Sam Fuld when they should be trying to get Jennings or Guyer, who are both vastly superior and can plug the hole in LF.
I don’t put a lot of faith in he’s the “face of the franchise” anymore.free agency killed that years ago.As far as him taking a pay cut and becoming a DH…not happening.the Chris Davis contract is scary but giving Jose what he is gonna ask for would be far worse