Free-agent first baseman/designated hitter Hanley Ramirez reported to los Tigres de Licey in the Dominican Winter League and will soon be playing in games for the team, reports Enrique Rojas of ESPN Deportes. Ramirez is on the comeback trail after undergoing shoulder surgery in July to correct a shoulder issue that was said at the time to have been bothering him for “years.”
The 36-year-old said during a radio appearance with 102.5 FM in Santo Domingo that he hasn’t considered retirement and is still hopeful of returning to the big leagues. The DWL will provide a showcase for Major League scouts in that regard, and it’s certainly conceivable that with a decent showing, he’ll parlay that into a minor league deal and an invitation to Spring Training with a team.
Ramirez was released by the Red Sox early in the 2018 season — a surprise move at the time — and opted to sit out the remainder of the season despite receiving interest as a free agent. Upon signing a minor league deal with Cleveland in the 2018-19 offseason, Ramirez revealed that he had wanted to take some time off to allow his body to heal and to put himself in the best shape possible for his next opportunity. He broke camp as the Indians’ Opening Day designated hitter this past March, but the months of rest apparently didn’t do the trick for his shoulder; Ramirez hit just .184/.298/.327 with a pair of homers in 57 plate appearances before being released by the Cleveland organization.
It’s unlikely that any club is going to look at Ramirez as an everyday option in the field at this point, so his best bet is likely to sign with an American League club. Perhaps the forthcoming addition of a 26th MLB roster spot will make NL clubs more willing to carry a part-time first baseman/interleague DH/pinch-hitter, but Ramirez will need to first demonstrate that he can still hit before garnering any type of interest.
Is there going to be a post about the Major Leaguers and ex-Major Leaguers who will be playing in the Venezuelan and Dominican Winter League? That would be very interesting.
I second that.
Crossing my fingers for Bartolo!
Tight. That’s so tight PapiElf. All your posts are awesome and tight. I make a point to compliment your posts a lot. Like a lot, a lot, but you never acknowledge me at all. I feel kind of neglected. Why don’t you ever acknowledge when I’m giving you a compliment? I like compliments, too.:(
I could see him going back to the Marlins. Garrett Cooper had reverse splits last year, so Hanley might make a solid platoon bat.
Back to Boston given the pennies the team is now watching. He actually played a respectable first base when he was healthy. If he wants an opportunity, maybe he’ll agree to a negative deal where he gives back say $5m from his last year’s deal in a Boston. This way they can effectively pay Mookie just $22m this coming year…
White Sox maybe if they fail to resign Abreu
That’s pretty much a done deal. Hanley pretty much done
That’s about all the paying he will get
Marlins
Sad some players don’t know when they don’t have the bat speed anymore. Very few players know the exact time.
Why is it sad? Maybe he simply enjoys playing. Do you really think he’s trying for that last big pay day?
Why don’t he just stay down there and open up a Marijuana Dispensary. It’s obvious he likes the whacky green stuff.
I think his time is up. Essentially a full time DH at this point and most AL teams would rather not clog that spot with one player.