The Red Sox have signed first baseman Roberto Ramos to a minor league contract with an invitation to big league Spring Training, reports Chris Cotillo of MassLive (Twitter link). It’s a stateside return for the 27-year-old, who has spent the past two seasons in South Korea.
Ramos has yet to appear in a big league game. A 16th-round pick of the Rockies in 2014, he worked his way up the minor league ranks, reaching Triple-A by 2019. Ramos spent that season with Colorado’s top affiliate in Albuquerque, popping 30 home runs in 505 plate appearances. After that season, the left-handed hitter made the jump to the Korea Baseball Organization, signing on with the LG Twins.
Signing Ramos paid immediate dividends for the Seoul-based team. He blasted 38 homers across 494 plate appearances during his debut campaign. Ramos’ overall .278/.362/.592 line checked in 41 percentage points above the KBO league average, by measure of wRC+. Ramos struck out in a hefty 27.5% of his plate appearances that year, but he also drew walks at a robust 11.1% clip and showcased power that garnered plus or better grades during his time as a prospect.
Ramos re-signed with the Twins last offseason, but his follow-up campaign wasn’t as impressive. He hit a league average .243/.317/.422 with eight homers in 205 trips to the plate before suffering a back injury. Former MLB first baseman Justin Bour replaced him on the roster in late June, setting the stage for Ramos’ return to the United States. He’ll attempt to work his way to the bigs for the first time with the Red Sox, who are slated to open the year with the right-handed hitting Bobby Dalbec at first base and J.D. Martinez at designated hitter. Top prospect Triston Casas worked his way to Triple-A Worcester late last season and should get a look in the majors at some point in 2022.
At least Bloom kept him from the Yankees should they not get Freeman…seriously every team tries to make that one under the radar signing that due to performance or injuries becomes the signing of the year. This has the same long odds as every other teams similar type moves.
Nice! He was crushing the ball when healthy in the KBO
This signing looks like the replacement for Casas at 1B in Worcester once Casas comes up to the bigs–maybe the Sox are preparing for an early promotion if Casas is pounding it through April in AAA, assuming the major leagues are somewhere near a normal schedule after the hostilities have been settled.
Thoughts on what they do with dalbec? Trade bench or send down?
Dalbec stays on the roster as long as he hits. He’s under cheap team control and has versatility. He isn’t getting dealt. He will battle for PT with Casas and fill in at third or dh. (Devers could rest or dh and martinez could rest or play the outfield)
If the NL gets the DH, then I could see the Red Sox trading JD Martinez and having Devers and Dalbec split time at 3B and DH. Trading JD (who will be a free agent at the end of 2022) would be a very Bloom type move.
Huh. I don’t really know. A platoon at 1B would be livable for a period (maybe for most of 2022) if Casas comes up in May while Dalbec is holding his own. Your question is a good reminder that everyone who believes that Casas is the 1B of the future starting sometime this season will have to suggest a plan for Dalbec. I know I’m not ready to say he should be traded, particularly since the current return wouldn’t be so great (and he does have options). I do believe that the team will be looking to move JD, possibly as early as ST, so that would open some roster space.
You plan for alternatives. it’s unclear if Dalbec found himself in August and September or if he’s Michael Chavis 2.0. Same with most players his age. A smart GM hopes for the best but has also planned for the worst. Injuries also happen. If Dalbec hits, he plays, if he doesn’t, he gets sent down like anyone else to play every day. Such assumes he’s not traded when the CBA is signed. More moves to be made…
Well depending on Casas’ spring and the service time rules with the new agreement, he would break camp in Boston. Dalbec would stay on the roster playing the corner infield and a little DH and fight for ABs with Casas while providing depth and allowing days off
As I just stated, he or most others could also be traded but if Dalbec doesn’t hit, Worcester is an option too.
Rockies follower here: I always liked Ramos and wanted him to get his shot. Yes, he’s 27 now and still fighting to breakthrough but maybe he can prove it, get his opportunity, then prove it in the bigs. Hope he makes it happen.
surprised he couldnt land a gig with a better shot at landing that 1B job.
After Atlanta and NYY, Boston is one of the better opportunities at 1B.
Dalbec and Casas are there, and cant play DH with Martinez there.
I remember you being really high on him, iirc. Glad to see him back stateside.
“…with an invitation to big league Spring Training.” Spring Training? What’s that?