Wilson Ramos is in the midst of a career year and is on the cusp of free agency, and it looks as though unlike teammate Stephen Strasburg, Ramos will hit free agency without agreeing to a contract extension. The 28-year-old tells Jorge Castillo of the Washington Post that the Nationals have yet to approach his camp about brokering a long-term pact.
“They have told me absolutely nothing still,” said Ramos. “I’d like [to have my future here], but those are decisions they make … They haven’t made any calls or communicated with us. We’re still waiting.”
Manager Dusty Baker said to Castillo that he hopes the front office does “something big” to keep Ramos in D.C. for the long haul, though with fewer than three months until he’ll have the opportunity to test the waters of the open market, the odds of that happening seem rather slight. Ramos is hitting .331/.381/.536 with 16 home runs on the season and, as Castillo notes, has dramatically cut his strikeout rate (perhaps due to the benefits of offseason LASIK surgery). Ramos has excelled at thwarting stolen-base attempts in the past four seasons, and the 2016 campaign has been no exception, as he’s picked off 36 percent of those who have run against him. And while his pitch-framing ratings have deteriorated over the course of his big league career (per Baseball Propsectus), he was still average in that regard in 2015 and is above-average in 2016.
The breakout for Ramos isn’t necessarily a total shock, as he was long billed as one of the game’s Top 100 prospects as he ascended through the Twins’ minor league ranks. Durability has been an issue for him, as he’s missed time in the past due to a torn ACL in his right knee, several hamstring strains and a fractured hand, leaving him with an average of just 86 games per season from 2011-15 with the Nats. Ramos’ ability to remain healthy will be one of the biggest red flags surrounding his market in free agency this season, but he has age, former prospect pedigree and a brilliant platform season all on his side. He should enter the winter as the top catching option on the market, as reflected on MLBTR’s Free Agent Power Rankings, wherein Ramos lands at No. 8 overall in terms of earning power. MLBTR’s Tim Dierkes suggested that it’s time to consider the possibility of a five-year deal for Ramos, and I fully agree with that notion.
5year 70 million
5year 75million max deal for him
This dude is going to make bank. I would love for the Braves to get him if they don’t overpay. I doubt they will get him though. What is everyone’s projections on the team he will end up on? My guess is the Red Sox make splash and get him.
Is catching an area of need for the Red Sox? Don’t they have like 3 top prospects that are Catchers?
I think if Ramos makes it to FA, Atlanta will put in an offer. I think he’d be better than Wieters, but I see Wieters coming to Atlanta more.
Well, the point of the post was to get everyone’s guess. Not have the guesses be shot down with no alternate.
I just don’t see them going that high with $$ when they have options of their own, younger & controllable.
They’ve got Christian Vazquez, Blake Swihart next year.
Maybe they do, but I don’t see it.
I think either Washington or LA, my guess.
Dodgers or Angels?
Don’t overpay? For a position of need and with no one close to ready in our minors, on top of us having close to 70 mil free money. Why not get the better and younger catcher? We overpay some for him, doesn’t matter. Front load the contract while we have the room to do it and later down the line we can have more room to get players.
Thinking the Nats FO must be real thrilled for their manager to be publicly siding with the player. Saying something “big” makes it sound as though the Nats would only offer chump change to a star player. I do believe they have paid recently for several of their name players. It does take 2 to make a deal…What is a “big” deal to one side does not mean that deal ia “big” to the other. Maybe they already have informally offered deals in the range of 5/70 and they were scoffed at. who knows?
If Ramos wanted to stay, why wouldn’t his camp approach Nats management, rather than waiting for an offer?
Great point. Love it when guys go to FA in any sport saying they really wanted to stay with there team but did not make a deal for what ever reason. If any player really wanted to stay with any team and there was not a reason why the team just did not want to retain them due to diminishing skills or locker room issues/morale, a deal always can be made. It comes down to money. Do they want to get the most they can or do the want to really stay and accept less than market.? Most choose the market and I have no problems with that.. Just don’t try to patronize the fans with bs about “really wanting to stay.”
I agree, that gets on my nerves too. Guys will tell you how much they love their team and city and they want to spend their entire career with their current team and then sign with the division rival because they offered 50 cents more.
They call it respect. If the team wanted him to stay, they’d approach first.
Who is to say that Ramos and his agent were approached with some figures last off season up to and through arbitration and what figures that were put out their by the Nats were rebuffed by Ramos’s side?. The players always claim it is about respect. Respect is a 2 way street.
if respect is a two way street, then why do some players get traded? not saying it’s wrong for a team to trade somebody because it’s a business. players can say they want to stay but it’s not their job to start negotiations. can’t blame a player for walking from a team because you don’t know what the negotiations were like
I can see the Twins looking at a reunion. They will be in the market for a catching upgrade. I don’t see JR Murphy being the answer as the everyday catcher. I can see the Twins front office spending some money and re-acquiring this guy.
He is gonna get paid! I haven’t looked deep into his stats, but that slash line is great. Even with some regression, he’s top line for a catcher. a if that strikeout rate holds, that’s a real good sign.
You’re probably right on both fronts. Especially the regression, I imagine.
2016 BABIP – .347
Career BABIP – .292
2016 HR/FB = 23.2%
Career HR/FB – 17.4%
However, a lot of his peripherals help support the idea that the LASIK has been working for him – better pitch recognition and batted ball profile. But yes, even with regression, he’ll put up fine numbers for a catcher.
Personally, id stay away from giving this guy big money and sacrificing a 1st or 2nd round pick.
Hes around a .260/.320/.440 hitter majority of his career excluding this season and not regarded very well for pitch framing.
statcorner.com/CatcherReport.php
I’d look at 5 year 65 mill or less, but some team will give him more.
5 year and $65 million isn’t big money?
Who represents Ramos?
Octagon
Thanks. Didn’t know. I assumed it was not Boros as he would have made sure we all knew that Wilson was nearing free agency and his client was being disrespected.
Perhaps the Nats do not want to bother their player having a career year in fear it could have a mental impact on his gameplay? Certainly a possibility. Ramos side could also approach the Nats if they were anxious to get something done.
Either way i would imagine each side would want to continue the relationship. Ramos is an absolute fan favorite and could very easily be considered one of the faces of the franchise.
I can’t see the Nats paying him and still having the money to pay Harper when he comes up for free agency. The Yankees will be looking to move McCann in the off-season and his contract will expire before Harper is up. They could get McCann for a lottery pick, collect the compensation pick on Ramos, and have money freed up for Harper.
Sounds like a plan!
Who else is out there to replace Ramos? Wieters? My guess is he stays in Washington since they don’t really have any in house replacements
4 year 48 million would be fair