Wilson Ramos’ free agent stock took a sizable hit the moment he suffered a torn ACL on Sept. 26, but the catcher’s agent, Wil Polidor, tells Jorge Castillo of the Washington Post that Ramos still plans to seek a four- or five-year contract in free agency.
As Castillo writes, the Nationals aren’t likely to extend a qualifying offer to Ramos on the heels of his injury, and if that’s the case, his chances at securing a multi-year pact would certainly be enhanced. While some may consider the notion of a multi-year deal following Ramos’ ACL tear unrealistic, it’s also possible that there are teams that will consider this an opportunity to acquire a premium catcher at a bargain rate. Most clubs won’t want to make any type of sizable one-year commitment with Ramos potentially sidelined for a notable portion of the 2017 campaign, but the idea of offering a backloaded multi-year deal certainly has some merit. After all, prior to his knee injury, Ramos had positioned himself to target something in the vicinity of the five-year, $80-85MM deals recently signed by Brian McCann and Russell Martin. To teams interested in adding a catcher on a long-term deal, the notion of securing Ramos on a four-year deal at a lower annual rate probably holds some appeal, even if the return on investment is minimal in year one of the pact.
Of course, any long-term deal with Ramos does come with considerable risk. This is the second time that he’s torn the ACL in his right knee, and for a catcher that is listed at 6’1″ and 255 pounds, a pair of significant knee injuries to go along with his massive frame is a genuine cause for concern. Indeed, Ramos himself has already hinted at the fact that it may be beneficial for him to sign with an American League club, implying that the availability of a DH slot could be critical for him.
Polidor also tells Castillo that Ramos is set to undergo a four-week evaluation of his knee that will conclude in the second week of November, which lines up with the General Managers’ Meetings in Phoenix, Ariz. (not to be confused with December’s Winter Meetings in Washington D.C.). Upon completion of that evaluation, he’ll have a clearer timetable from his doctors. At last check, Ramos was slated for a seven-month rehab process, which would put him on target to wrap up around mid-May. Of course, that timeline also likely represents a best-case scenario, and even if Ramos achieves that ambitious goal, he’ll still need to be eased back into catching on a regular basis.
When healthy this season, Ramos was outstanding. In 523 plate appearances, the 28-year-old batted .307/.354/.496 with a career-high 22 home runs. He also caught 37 percent of opposing base-stealers — 10 percent better than the league average — and drew strong pitch-framing marks from Baseball Prospectus. Ramos ranked fifth on the final edition of MLBTR’s Free Agent Power Rankings, although that list was published prior to his knee injury.
Good luck with that. He may be better following Greg Holland’s sit out for the year and get healthy, then see what the market has in store for him.
It’s a whole different story Holland wouldn’t have had clearance to actually throw. With TJ more realistically being a 15-18 month time table to get back to full strength. Ramos best tool is his hit tool. He can definitely help a team while easing his way back behind the dish. The ACL is his major rehab hurdle so he could be conceivably be ready to swing by Feb.
I could not see a team investing four or five years on a large catcher with two major knee surgeries. He has to prove that he is healthy again to get that kind of deal and don’t think that is realistic this offseason.
I agree with you in a sense I can’t see any NL team with that length. But again in a starved FA market his most important tool is his hit tool. That is going to play a big factor this offseason. For AL teams he doesn’t have to be a C to recoup major value. He can transition to 1st or DH. I don’t think it’d provide a major money type of deal but some team will be willing to take a flyer on his bat. It will also take comfort in knowing that if he doesn’t catch his offensive effectiveness will probably increase because he is no longer get beat up behind the plate day after day.
Ramos can want in one hand and spit in the other to see which one gets wet. How about a year with three mutual option years? No? Good luck …
Similar idea. But a guy wanting 4 or 5 won’t take 1 guaranteed. 2 years with either 2 or 3 team options is a good compromise
If he says that he wants 4 or 5 years, then the nats should QO him.
He will refuse and they will get a pick
They won’t QO him. That allows him to take $17..2 for a year where he gradually gets back up to speed.
Or he’s saying he wants 4-5 knowing the QO would extremely diminish his market.
LOL. QO him knowing that he’ll miss 1/2 the season and he’ll accept. $17M for 1/2 season?
Ramos’s agent Wil Polidor must believe he is Scott Boras with those type of contract wishes. It will take Ramos a year to get healthy and Lucroy will be a free agent option for teams by then. The other lost fact with this injury is Washington losing a draft pick because they won’t be offering Ramos a QO.
A year? Worst case scenario is that he misses the 1st half. Washington losing a pick by not offering him a QO only increases his value. Teams will offer him multiple years knowing that he won’t play for most likely at least 1/2 of the 1st season. He has less value to an NL team but his value to an AL team doesn’t change much. And another solid season from Lucroy and he could be looking at $100M so that’s a piss poor comparison. Ramos could very well get 4-5 years from an AL team or 3-4 from an NL Team. Lots of teams need an upgrade at C and the market is thin.
Yea sucks for the Nats and Ramos, Couldnt get much worse an outcome
Is this a joke?
Good input, insightful really. You think a player should come out and say he’ll take a small deal first thing? Nothing hurt by aiming high at first.
I don’t know why anybody thinks asking for a 4 or 5 year deal might be crazy for him to ASK FOR, no one has seen the aav he’s demanded yet and with no qo over his head he’ll still be in high demand. As a foot note most agents negotiate and settle he’ll ask for 5 and get 3 or 4 years and at 3 years? We’ve seen some pretty bad /injured players get longer than 1 year deals. Did you see that slash line from a catcher? And to get with low aavs maybe throw performance bonuses in there? And isn’t that the same Injury schwarber had?
Yes and no Schwarber tore ACL and LCL. Ramos ACL, PCL, and meniscus I believe. So it’s s little bit worse for Ramos especially being a full time C.
Schwarber is essentially a DH. His defense at C was bad and is even worse in the OF. The Cubs would make him a 1B if they didn’t have Rizzo.
Ramos though said he may be forced to see time as a dh to open up the season. There by opening up opportunities sooner with teams. And some that may have needs at both positions. It’s probably different because of the positions they play but year 2 or 3 to potentially have him healthy on a team might be worth the investment.
Offer 5 years/ $55M but have a team opt out after 2 with the last 3 years valued at $30M
So basically a 2yr/$25M offer, 3yr/$30M if he’s worth it post injury
A team will easily guarantee Ramos more than $25M guaranteed based off of potential return. Once healthy he would still have immense value as a DH/C to an AL team.
The question is who does the Nats get to catch, I think they move to get McCann from the Yanks. Ramos could get an incentive laden contract, but he will be a big risk. This ups all the catchers value that are available.
I think they would just give the QO to Ramos and have Severino start the first half of the season before they paid for McCann in prospects and salary.