The Astros have had discussions with the Rays regarding the possibility of acquiring catcher Wilson Ramos, according to a report from MLB.com’s Jon Morosi (via Twitter). No further details surrounding the connection are available at this time.
Ramos, who’s closing in on his 31st birthday, is earning $10.5MM this year and will return to the open market at season’s end. He’s clearly the best rental catcher that is likely to be made available, though there are certainly some good backstops with lengthier contract rights that might also be targeted by contenders.
Through 303 plate appearances this season in Tampa Bay, Ramos carries an excellent .291/.340/.479 slash line with 14 home runs. He certainly has his deficiencies on the basepaths. And he surely isn’t among the best-regarded defensive catchers, though he has at times graded quite well as a framer and has been within range of average in most measurable catching skills in recent seasons. (Ramos’s blocking and framing drew lesser marks last year, though perhaps it’s fair to give him a bit of a pass since he was returning from ACL surgery.)
Evidently, that overall package holds some appeal to the ’Stros, who are looking for ways to improve an already excellent roster. With Brian McCann currently on the DL, the club is utilizing Max Stassi and Tim Federowicz behind the dish, though the expectation surely will be that McCann and Stassi will split the duties once the former is back to health.
There are some who don’t believe the Astros ought to be considering change at the catching position, at least down the stretch this year. There’s no reason publicly known to think that McCann won’t be able to return after a relatively minor knee surgery, though perhaps there is some concern there. Stassi is in the midst of a breakout effort at the plate in his first extensive action at the major-league level. Of course, he’s also striking out at a 30.5% clip and has not often sustained this kind of output (.253/.339/.468) in the minors. Still, it seems that the Houston organization is at least looking into trying to improve.
Ramos has been solid for the Rays this year and a steady force at the plate. They’re gonna try to get the most value they can out of him.
think the Nationals regret not resigning him?
I mean… he was barely going to play at all in 2017, so they opted for someone who could help them in 2017 like Matt Wieters, but he has ended up not being what they hoped for
Weiters barely played in 2017 even though he was on the field.
He should bring back a very good prospects with several teams needing a catcher.
Rays paid 2017 salary and 6mm this year. It should yield 1st round talent considering position of need and investment made by Rays.
You can trade for draft picks in many sports this mlbs way of acquiring extra picks. Spend on the right veteran then it pays off with young talent.
Position of need? Which contenders are currently in need of a starting catcher?
Indians, nationals, braves, brewers, Astros, dbacks, mariners not to mention all but 2 teams benefit from a middle of the order bat from the catching position or part time DH
Rays get a first round talent or keep him and offer him a 1 yr contract for a supplemental 1st rd pick once he signs elsewhere.
Astros will get him for virtually nothing.
I can’t tell the future, but I’m going to have to say that is false.
A 2 month rental? It’ll be some lottery ticket outfielder + a middle infielder.
Agree. Money talks and his contract will likely only bring a modest return despite his bat. Only way that changes in my view is if another team causes a mini bidding war.
considering how well ramos is playing, the rays should be able to offer him a QO and get a first rounder. theyd rsther take that than a lottery ticket OF
Freddy Peralta was a lottery ticket
You are in crack sir. If they don’t trade him he is a sure ticket at 4 for 50mm so they will take less than a 1st round talent
Otherwise make the 1yr offer at season’s end and let him sign elsewhere.
No way he goes for less a top tier prospect.
Sir pls lay off the crack pipe. Ramos is a sure ticket for 4 for 50mm in free agency.
A supplemental 1st pick is the worse position for the Rays so why trade him for less than top tier prospect?
Agree he’ll likely command that type of contract in FA, but he’s not going to return a top tier prospect. Likely a couple mid-tiers will do it, especially if the Rays don’t eat some of the rest of this year’s $$. Rays absolutely will trade him, Eovaldi and should also trade Archer and reload with prospects. Archer would return a top-tier but he’d be the only of those 3.
The reality is that if the Astros get him, it won’t be for any of their highly regarded prospects. No one in their top 10 and possibly not top 15.
Doesn’t mean it won’t be a solid trade for the Rays in the long term because the Astros system is insanely deep, especially in pitching. They need to clear room for their younger prospects.
He turns 31 next month. 4 years? Who’s smoking what?
Well you don’t say??
I’d say he’s been more than solid. Arguably the 2nd best offensive catcher in the league this year
In general, the Astros have good team speed. J.T. Realmutto is a better fit than Wilson Ramos. Otherwise, they should give OFs Kyle Tucker and Derek Fisher more playing time.
He’s going to bring back a LOT less than Rays fans think. Ya the hit tool is there, but only shows up in contract years. His defense is “meh” at best, and seriously declining. He’s lazy, never runs anything out. If he wasn’t a FA and the fact that game is in DC, he’d likely take the day off. And he’s got about 5M on his deal.
A low-level lottery ticket at best…and TB may have to eat part of the deal.
The contract year part is irrelevant, as the acquiring team is only getting the rights to his contract year.
And if TB is eating salary, they’re getting a decent boost to the prospect hall.. I agree that he isn’t bringing a giant return, but I think that you’re seriously underselling what he’ll bring. There aren’t a ton on difference making catchers on the market and he is a good 2nd option for those not wanting to pay for Realmuto
I think they are holding out hope for Wilson Ramos but have there eyes on j.t. realmuto
do not think a 31 year old catcher is gonna get a 4 year contract in this market
Here are 3 recent free agent catchers who were similar in age to Ramos and here is what they received in free agency and a quick look at their stats for the 3 seasons leading up to FA. I”m not even including the 3/$60 mm extension that Molina signed for his age 35-37 seasons.
McCann: 5/$85mm + vesting option for age 30-34 seasons
108 OPS+, 64 HR, 351 games
Martin: 5/$82mm for age 32-36 seasons
108 OPS+, 47 HR, 371 games
Cervelli: 3/$31mm for age 30-32 seasons
118 OPS+, 12 HR, 196 games
Ramos since the beginning of 2016 has a 119 OPS+, 47 HR in 271 games and is in the midst of an outstanding season. The idea that he might get a 4/$50mm contract for his age 31-34 seasons is hardly unprecedented. There is no reason to think the Rays would accept an offer lower in value than a late 1st round player and the associated pool money that comes with that pick.