Feb. 26: The Indians have formally announced the signing.
Feb. 24: Ramirez will earn $1MM in guaranteed salary if he makes Cleveland’s roster, Paul Hoynes of the Cleveland Plain Dealer tweets, with some more money available in incentives.
Feb. 23: The Indians have agreed to a minor league deal, pending a physical, with free-agent first baseman Hanley Ramirez, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports.
Cleveland’s the first team for the 35-year-old Ramirez since Boston unceremoniously released him last June 1. Ramirez drew little reported interest after the Red Sox cut ties with him, owing to back-to-back seasons of subpar production at the plate and an inability to add value in the field or on the base paths. Formerly a superstar with the Marlins and a quality player with the Dodgers, Ramirez combined to hit a meager .245/.318/.421 (91 wRC+) with 29 home runs and minus-0.7 fWAR in 748 plate appearances from 2017-18.
Ramirez was an easily above-average hitter as recently as 2016, but that was his lone productive year with the Red Sox, who signed him to a four-year, $88MM deal prior to 2015. The contract was a bust for Boston, with which Ramirez contributed a microscopic 0.9 fWAR over 1,798 PAs. He also left much to be desired in left field and at first base during his Red Sox tenure, though he did earn playable marks from Defensive Runs Saved and Ultimate Zone Rating at the latter position in a combined 358 innings from 2017-18.
There was obviously considerable risk for the Red Sox when they signed Ramirez, whereas the Indians are buying low on him now and hoping to land a solid contributor for a nominal fee. It’s possible the right-handed Ramirez will catch on with the Indians in a first base/designated hitter platoon, as their projected starter at the former spot – Jake Bauers – is a lefty. Bauers struggled versus same-handed hurlers in 2018, but Ramirez pulverized southpaws last year and owns a lifetime .896 OPS against them.
I’m kind of shocked. Didnt expect that.
Makes too of us.
Stupid autocorrect
Didn’t expect it but wondered why no one picked him up last year. He could easily breakout or base is .250 20 home runs with a lot of attention. Should have had numerous teams after him…
Audi-corrupt ins a grout unvension.
Same thing happened to Jose Bautista last year.
Problem is not having the DH in the NL makes too few suitors.
Over half of the teams in the NL could use him at DH.
He cannot hit anymore
He hits the lefties which is why they got him. .333, 2018.
he hits better than you so yes he can hit
Stick to the runways
The picture is a great representation of the story.
Oh, it’s a problem not having Hanley Ramirez in the NL?
Seriously, some of us would rather watch a pitcher bunt or give it a go than have a one dimensional guy like Hanley (whom I loved as a Dodger despite his shortcomings at SS) sit on a bench half the game.
They are up to their old tricks. They refuse to spend to keep the team competitive….So they pick up washed up veterans and failed prospects from other teams. If this sounds familiar…it is. Remember the days of losing…We are headed for the same old Indians teams of the past. It is a shame…because our pitching staff looks formidable. But with guys like …Jordan Luplow…Gregg Allen…Kevin Plawecki….Matt Joyce…Roberto Perez…and Jake Bauer….Tell me …How are we going to score? Not one of these guys can hit. Look at their stats.
We? Maybe if the wees spent money at the gate they’d have a bigger budget to sign free agents.
It is not a matter of fans spending at the gate. We have made the playoffs the last three years. They should have done pretty well at the gate. It is a matter of an ownership being committed to winning. This miserable ownership is NOT. You mean to tell me they couldn’t have signed at least one of their players….Like maybe Michael Brantley. Did they have to gut almost all of the hitters? And now look at what they are bringing in…CHEAP…washed up veterans that nobody else wants…Hanley Ramirez .Matt Joyce ,Carlos Santana…and failed prospects who have already proven they cannot hit on the majopr league level…Jordan Luplow…. Jake Baue… kevin Plawecki… and don’t forget the parade of cheap failed relief pitchers . What a joke!
Bauers is 23 years old with only part of a season in MLB and he is a failed prospect? Mike Trout in his first part year in MLB batted .just .220. I know Bauers is not Trout, but was Trout a failed prospect just because he batted .220? The Indians attendance could have been better last year. That is a fact. While I am not happy with the loss of some of the players, I trust the Indians Front Office that some of the young players will be solid players.
Joseph, I hope you were never judged by your boss after a six months of work as a failure.
Resurfaced.
31 home runs to reach 300 HR
91 RBI to reach 1,000 RBI
175 Hits to reach 2,000 hits
Go Hanley, go.
19 SB for 300 too, but he probably won’t get that with his speed now. Maybe, if he plays five more years or so.
Harold Baines made the Hall of Fame, why not Hanley
Not sure if you’re joking, but let’s try not to make this an actual argument. Just because one undeserving candidate made the hall of fame doesn’t mean we need to treat them as the new bar for entry. We don’t need to turn one mistake into a hundred mistakes.
Why not?
Poor teammate.
Everyone liked Harold.
Not Hanley.
Do you need more details?
Ooh
Fourth
well, he did want to come back and play. Its also only a minor league move but it could work out
He has lots of inside info on those BoSox that’s for sure. Not sure about how much he has left in the tank when it comes to playing ball though.
After his last year and off the field stuff I thought his mlb days would be long over.
He was proven innocent. He did nothing illegal.
Maybe so but while that cloud was hanging over him and since his skills have greatly declined there’s many questions And nobody was going to sign him at 34 years old
Proven BS 1600.
Stop Hiding his w
What “off the field” stuff? It was proven that the guy just used Hanley’s name to try and get off the hook.
Yeah use this name and somehow his phone number two. At the very least he was guilty of running with unsavory characters.
Having friends or acquaintances who make mistakes isn’t against the law.
If anyone who has your phone number ever gets stopped by the police, are you going to give up your career and turn yourself in?
Come on now.
Guilty by association!!! All it takes!
You’re right, it acceptable for pro athletes to run with drug dealers.
The replacement of Edwin Encarnacion’s power in the lineup. Glad to see Hanley back.
I actually kinda like this. He’s still been a close to average hitter the last few years, and there’s always the potential for him to even be slightly above average with his track record.
I don’t ever want to see him on defense, but they could sorely use a right handed hitter in their lineup. Put him at DH, leave Santana at first, and then Bauers can play left.
Adding on to my last comment: I think I remember seeing that he hit well in winter ball, if I’m not mistaken.
Wasn’t Worse than will middlebrooks but Boston was desperate to add to big players with huge contracts. Didn’t pan out. Hopefully Hanley can make a comeback for a couple of seasons and hang it up.
I have nothing against Boston or Hanley, but it seems to me that his contract is another shining example of signing a guy into his mid 30’s and not getting value for it.
Boston got 1.5 rWAR and 0.9 fWAR for $88,000,000.
For the players/people/MLBPA who think teams don’t look at even 4 year deals like that contract (nevermind those of the longer variety) that basically flushed money down the drain, I would advise them that they need to rethink things.
This is exactly the kind of contract to which older players are used to being signed, and exactly the kind of contract that teams look at and want to avoid.
I’m not shocked, because the Indians sign these washed up bums and hope they can have one good year for them! Which sometimes works for them and not
EVERY TEAMS FANS say these same things,get over it
Liked him even when he wasn’t doing well with the Sox. Hope he can turn it around.
Im sorry, Philly fans. I,regret to inform u, ur team is about to commit, Ryan Howard II.
Commas are not your playthings.
As a Phillies fan, I am worried about that too.
Nice move. I think he got shafted out of Boston. Always liked him
agreed. misused from day one he was a gamer
So…he gets a ring for last year, right?
Yes.
Yes (trifecta)
Fragile
Close To The Edge
Relayer
You left off Going For The One and Drama?
You deserve those down votes you’ve gotten
YUP! Sure does.
“So…he gets a ring for last year, right?”
More than likely but there is no written rule. Rings have become tradition but not mandated.
The BoSox are traditionally generous with rings (the gave out over 500 after 04. There are usually 2-3 “grades” of rings an A, B, and C. Often “bit players” will receive a B ring.
KC gave out over 700 rings, from players to hot dog vendors.
At Major League minimum this is a great low cost signing for a team struggling to restrain payroll.
I may have missed it but why so much hate/dislike for xabial?
I like xabial. He’s interesting. But I’ve started to wonder the same feelings towards myself, about why so many seem to hate me.
Cuz it’s the internet. Maybe making stupid comments like that is why people hate you.
Always liked Hanley even when he was struggling with Boston. I wish him well.
Or maybe people hate me because they just like to hate someone or something all the time.
I can’t/won’t speak for others, but personally I like some of X’s comments, and some range from a bit ridiculous to extremely unnecessary.
I have nothing against you, except your name and the picture you use.
Yeah, I figured the avatar gets some folks riled, but when I tried to change it as a form of compromise, it wouldn’t let me for some reason.
As for my name, let me clarify it. I live in SoCal, and get serious grief from many because I’m an Indians fan. Therefore—suffer for tribe.
Not to mention so many cowards come on here with multiple user names to flame away and then fade away. Funny to see so many highly opinionated people with comments for everything and then a week later they’re gone and you have some other new user blasting away.
You might start by changing your racist caricature avatar
People hate themselves and take it out on individuals here. It helps them sleep at night.
If you take hard stances, some people will hate you. Take enough hard stances and everyone eventually will hate you.
Why would they sign him this late?
Why not?
They already have Bauers, Santana, and Bradley in camp, plus who knows who else. He’s just gonna take opportunities away from them.
Two of those guys are lefties and one is a switch hitter. Hanley is a RH bat, so they are taking a shot.
Bradley isn’t ready, Bauers and Santana will split bats at 1B/DH/LF so a no risk minor league deal to a proven hitter is a no brained.
Until they come up with a salary cap you’ll continue to see teams like this take a flyer on these reclamation projects.
Or maybe their just filling a need at Columbus? 🙂
I don’t think this is the fill a need at AAA signing. He’s not Napoli, he either hits in the majors or he probably has an exit clause.
C’mon, Hammer. It’s sarcasm.
pretty weird signing, maybe this signing will work out better than his last deal
The only way this signing could be worse would be if he burned down the stadium or something
No harm taking a minor league flyer on a guy who’s two seasons removed from a 30 HR/111 RBI campaign.
Hated when the Yankees had to play against him, always seemed to have their number
Praise us.. All I had left on my list was Hanley or Holliday.
This takes some weight off my shoulders.
Allllll righty then
I see a S.Kemp type season in his future. Drinks from the fountain of youth and taps into his old self…. then run out of steam (or peds) and fades back into his newfound obscurity.
Shawn Kemp? Lol.
LOL, read my mind on Shawn Kemp. I think he was talking into other things though…
Tapping…not talking!!! Damn autocorrect
classy move…obvious unexpected and at least he didn’t hold a league wide tryout. I’ve gained some respect
I predicted this
I knew you’d say that.
Hanley should be good for .250 15-20 HRs. I don’t think anyone picked him up last year because if he reached 400 BA’s he had a contract clause that would pay him another $20m this season.
The timing of his release made it seem the Red Sox new something about the off field issue but obviously was innocent. Diminishing skills maybe, but he’s a fun player to watch.
Only Boston would have had to pay if the vesting kicked in. Once he was released any other team was only on the hook for the minimum.
He could have signed last year. He said he wanted to spend time with his kids and start clean in 2019. Why not? It was paid vacation.
Tribe still buying scratch-offs
Yeah because they have soooo much invested in this scratch off…SMH…
Are you just restating my point?
Scratch offs cost like a buck a pop. Do you know this? Are you aware of gas stations?
A buck? Dang, in Kalifornia it’s rare finding single dollar scratchers.
Every team signs vets to minor league deals
I might be in the minority but I like the no risk move. When healthy he actually played well at first base. Reminds me (on the field only) move they made last year, agreeing with Napoli. I’m actually rooting for him as he handled his release last year professionally.
Hanley has high upside. He looked good early last year. You never know… Limiting him to batting against lefties could help his cause.
Low risk, high reward. Good signing by the Indians.
I agree. The Tribe tends to take fliers on guys like Ramirez. Sometimes it works out and sometimes it doesn’t. I don’t feel they have anything to lose with this signing.
Bauers could theoretically play some LF which would help that putrid OF mix if Hanram can indeed still swing it. I’d say the odds of him still being able to hack it aren’t much worse than finding 2 quality OFers out of The greg alllen, Tyler Naquin, and Matt Joyce bunch.
This is obviously Lindor’s replacement.
As a Red Sox fan I think Hanley is a decent to strong ounce back candidate, so I like the move for low-budget Cleveland. Hanley started out well in 2016 until in late April or early May he ran into the left field wall in Baltimore (I believe) and hurt his shoulder. He was hitting well in the beginning of 2018 season too before the off the filed issues came to a head.
Decent hitter, but he’s been a problem child since the Sox sent him to Miami in the Beckett deal. In fact, even back then, there was talk about his issues (whatever they are).
OTOH, Tito’s pretty good at getting the best out of these guys. And there’s little risk. Bauers, for all the Baseball America love-fest, looked completely lost last year. He could very well need some more time. And at best, he really only profiles as “meh”. So Han-Ram might be really needed.
That’s this mean for Santana? I thought he was the 1b-DH platoon.
And Santana will play in LF too.
The more I thought about this, the more I think this is Francona giving a player an opportunity to get in some at bats to show what he can do, and opening up the possibility that if the Tribe doesn’t use a 25-man roster spot on him that maybe another team might.
Remember how things went with Melky Cabrera last season?
He brought a player to camp on a minor league deal. This is how ML teams operate. What if Santana blows his knee out? Or Bauers? Hanley is immediately the favorite to fill in. It’s not like your bustling with depth at 1B behind those 2. And you owe nothing if not. It’s not as if Bauers is an established major leaguer either.
Geez, that’s weak. You can say “what if” about any player in baseball. My point was, Francona always does this kind of thing for veterans. It’s why he’s so well liked.
But thank you for finding a way to knock my comment.
God damn buddy you have very thin skin. You just described what every team in baseball does. Francona did this for his team #1 because there’s a decent chance he can crack this team. Particularly if they decide they need Bauers to play some OF or he flops. Because again Bauers with all his promise has no ML track record.
And now you choose to use God’s name in vain.
Really?! God’s name in vain, huh? Geez, THAT’S weak. Grow up.
I have. When will you?
Your comments say otherwise.
Maybe stick to sports and leave your religious beliefs out of it.
Sorry, but so many questions with the Tribe lineup they aren’t doing the goodwill for him to find a landing spot elsewhere. He either contributes in Cleveland or he’s gone and they don’t care where.
This reminds me of the Tribe signing Keith Hernandez at the tail end of his career in 1990. Hopefully this will go considerably better for CLE than that did.
Really 29 years ago a guy at the end of his career didn’t pan out? Boy I really hope this nothing signing after Spring Training started doesn’t end up bad or their whole team will crumble…
With a weak OF, they sign another 1B/DH to go along with the other 12 they’re already carrying.
They can carry 50 today if they want, in a few weeks they’ll head north with the 25 players that matter.