Hanley Ramirez signs with Red Sox. 4 years/$88 million(5th year option could make it 5/$110 million

[mBiferi]

Rob Bradford ‏@bradfo  7m7 minutes ago
Interesting to note: Adrian Gonzalez owed $85 million over next four years; Hanley Ramirez to make what is believed to be $90 over next five
 
https://twitter.com/bradfo/status/536763037282484224 

 

[santadevil]

I'm not excited about this signing.
 
Attitude problems in the past and doesn't seem to stay healthy.
For whatever reason, I can't copy/paste, but I the play that always sticks out to me was when he booted that ball into left field and jogged after it slowly while the Diamondbacks were scoring and the batter ended up at third. Then his post game comments were bad too.
 
$18M/year is almost 10% of the spending ceiling right now.
 
Hopefully I'm wrong about this.

 

[soxhop411]

I'm not excited about this signing.
 
Attitude problems in the past and doesn't seem to stay healthy.
For whatever reason, I can't copy/paste, but I the play that always sticks out to me was when he booted that ball into left field and jogged after it slowly while the Diamondbacks were scoring and the batter ended up at third. Then his post game comments were bad too.
 
$18M/year is almost 10% of the spending ceiling right now.
 
Hopefully I'm wrong about this.

Read my succession of posts. He wanted to come back to Boston ever since he was traded

 

[E5 Yaz]

 
What's funny is we're talking about November 7th, so this is possible depending on how the off season schedule turns out. Of course, I don't think I'd want my wedding to be on the same day as a World Series game... especially a clincher. I might get divorced before I get the dress off of her. 

 
Oh, okay, now I get the cherry reference

 

[BornToRun]

Read my succession of posts. He wanted to come back to Boston ever since he was traded

Which makes it so much more awesome than it would be under normal circumstances IMO.

 

[CaskNFappin]

Overlooked in all of this, is that we've probably found a legit replacement for Ortiz's production in the lineup. We'll know in 2 years if Hanley's a black hole on defense, at which point we can shift him to DH. I think this move had ALOT to do with solving that problem proactively. Looks like he's playing LF next year, and that's a little bit of an adventure, but clearly we no longer have to worry about who's going to fill Papi's shoes when he hangs up his cleats.

 

[santadevil]

Damnit, I can't even use the quote button. This computer is fucked.
 
Anyway, soxhop, I did read your posts, I just wanted to put my opinion out there.
Like I said, I hope I'm wrong, but personally, just not excited for this.

 

[67WasBest]

Hanley, as a Sox farmhand in the Manny Ramirez era is well aware of the LF legacy in Boston.  I'm sure the opportunity to have his name inserted in that lineage is very exciting for him.  Now he just has to earn his place in the hierarchy.  I like the flexibility this deal creates.
 
They have 1B opening in 2016.  This move opens greater opportunity.  If Cecchini or WomBat is the guy who rises to the top, they can backfill LF (with Hanley at 1B), or take 1B.  If Marrero is the guy who rises to the top, they move Xander to 1B.  If it's JBJ who rises up, they move Hanley to 1B.

 

[Hee Sox Choi]

Just asked a Diehard Dodgers fan about Hanley's time in LA and if he was a malcontent.  He said he seemed to be fine in LA, players seemed to like him and there were no big problems which he had worried about with his rep coming from Florida.  I live in LA and I don't remember hearing anything bad about him during his time here, other than he has been hurt at times.  
 
Love this signing.  Now go get Fatty McWallBall to play third sacker.

 

[Darnell's Son]

Congrats Snod, but you should have gamethreaded the engagement. Gotta get her used to her new life.

 

[E5 Yaz]

Congrats Snod, but you should have gamethreaded the engagement. Gotta get her used to her new life.

 
TOO SOON
 
that's what she said

 

[Snodgrass'Muff]

 
TOO SOON
 
that's what she said

 
All too often...
 
But yeah, she's well aware of my sosh addiction. Eyes wide shut, as they say.

 

[SemperFidelisSox]

Can't we attribute his past attitude problems to being young and stuck in a losing situation (Marlins) for so many years? I don't recall too many stories about Hanley being an issue in the Dodgers clubhouse.

 

[Sprowl]

LF isn't rocket science.

Especially in Fenway where it's about as big as Peyton Manning's forehead is small.

I dunno. Carl Crawford and Yoenis Cespedes inexplicably turned into butchers when faced with the Monster.

The Monster is always with us, and everything we have is his. But we must celebrate and be glad, because Hanley was dead and is alive again; he once was lost and now is found.

Ramirez' 2014 comes to Fenway:

 

[Tyrone Biggums]

Can't we attribute his past attitude problems to being young and stuck in a losing situation (Marlins) for so many years? I don't recall too many stories about Hanley being an issue in the Dodgers clubhouse.

Agreed. I'm thinking that it's not a stretch to say Hanley Ramirez could be an MVP contender for 2015 if he stays healthy. This guy has only played in extreme pitcher friendly ballparks for his home games. Really love this move.

 

[twibnotes]

Please, can we stop saying ridiculous things? There is no way Bogaerts or Betts is going to philly for Hamels. Stop.

Also, this is a phenomenal deal. Maybe let's skip the cloud-seeking for this giant silver lining we just found out about ten seconds ago.

Then I'm not sure how you pry Hamels away. We know how Amaro is.

 

[moondog80]

On the off chance he wanted to wear 24, would the Sox tell him no just so people couldn't recycle old jerseys?

 

[Otis Foster]

Can't we attribute his past attitude problems to being young and stuck in a losing situation (Marlins) for so many years? I don't recall too many stories about Hanley being an issue in the Dodgers clubhouse.

 
IIRC, there were reports he was a temperamental problem when he was just a kid in the RS system. Wonder if that stuck to him when he went to FLA? That could lead people to view otherwise normal behavior through a different lens.

 

[InsideTheParker]

 
IIRC, there were reports he was a temperamental problem when he was just a kid in the RS system. Wonder if that stuck to him when he went to FLA? That could lead people to view otherwise normal behavior through a different lens.

Yes, I remember reading more than one article in the Globe about his tantrums and his being disciplined by the Sox, but I don't know how I could find them now. He was definitely portrayed as temperamental and not a team player as a minor-leaguer.

 

[Luis Taint]

Pedro and Manny were known as temperamental. I would hope that David would have a positive effect on him.

 

[JimD]

Just sitting here with my coffee, trying to imagine the atomic meltdown that would be happening on SoSH if we woke up this morning to discover that the Yankees swooped in and signed both Hanley Ramirez and Pablo Sandoval.
 
To paraphrase another Ramirez - CASHMAN IS (apparently) PLAYING GOLF TODAY- THIS IS BETTER!

 

[joe dokes]

Pedro and Manny were known as temperamental. I would hope that David would have a positive effect on him.

 
So were Paul O'Neill, Kevin Youkilis and Trot Nixon  . . . . oh wait, no one ever called *them* temperamental.
 
He was on some historcially shitty marlin teams in a historically shitty ownership situation and he handled it very poorly. Scenery changes; people mature. Even non dirt-dogs.

 

[C4CRVT]

Yeah because David Ortiz isn't temperamental...

 

[Luis Taint]

 
So were Paul O'Neill, Kevin Youkilis and Trot Nixon  . . . . oh wait, no one ever called *them* temperamental.
 
He was on some historcially shitty marlin teams in a historically shitty ownership situation and he handled it very poorly. Scenery changes; people mature. Even non dirt-dogs.

I'll defend Trot to the death, only because he was super nice to me.

 

[Luis Taint]

Yeah because David Ortiz isn't temperamental...

David, lives in my hood and everyone loves him, but I see your point.

 

[joe dokes]

I'll defend Trot to the death, only because he was super nice to me.

 
I've got no beef with Nixon.  In fact, in some ways, he was underrated for a few years.  But when he acted out or did something less-than-brilliant, it was generally excused because of all the pine tar on his helmet. (simply put, this is more a commentary on the *coverage* of him vs. hanley, than it is about either player).

 

[twibnotes]

 
So were Paul O'Neill, Kevin Youkilis and Trot Nixon  . . . . oh wait, no one ever called *them* temperamental.
 
He was on some historcially shitty marlin teams in a historically shitty ownership situation and he handled it very poorly. Scenery changes; people mature. Even non dirt-dogs.

Youkilis and O'Neill never lollygagged the way Hanley has done. There's a difference bw a temperamental player who always plays hard and one who does not

 

[Hagios]

HE HAS FLAWS! WE DON'T LIKE FLAWS! 

 
Am I missing something here? There is a world of difference between giving a 5 year contract to a guy with an injury history and, for example, accepting that a power bat has a low OBP.

 

[LesterFan]

Hanley Ramirez ‏@HanleyRamirez 26m26 minutes ago
Working hard, just another day #Blessed #ISeeYou. Dile tu @Ray_fresita @agentmo1

 

[Luis Taint]

Chambers framed jersey, void the offer Ben

 

[joe dokes]

Youkilis and O'Neill never lollygagged the way Hanley has done. There's a difference bw a temperamental player who always plays hard and one who does not

 
Like I said, historically shitty situation he handled poorly. People mature. If the Sox have spoken to enough people that they are comfortable not holding it against Ramirez for the rest of his life, that's good enough for me.
 
EDIT: The ability to stay on the field is the valid concern. Maybe the Sox think/hope that 130 games of 130 OPS+ is/will be worth it? Or they think that they can succeed where others failed to keep him on the field more?

 

[Savin Hillbilly]

David, lives in my hood and everyone loves him, but I see your point.

 
Yeah, sure, the people love him. What about the telephones?

 

[terrisus]

10 years later, he makes his return.
 
Quite a journey there.

 

[mt8thsw9th]

Hanley Ramirez ‏@HanleyRamirez 

 
He pretty much only follows hot chicks on Twitter. There's a NSFW banner on one of them, so tread carefully.

 

[MakMan44]

 
Am I missing something here? There is a world of difference between giving a 5 year contract to a guy with an injury history and, for example, accepting that a power bat has a low OBP.

Well sure, the injury history is a valid complaint but I think everything else people bring up is nit picking. The attitude problems for example. There's a fair amount of evidence that he wanted to come to Boston, and it's been suggested he left money on the table to do so. You don't act that way and then suddenly become a massive asshole when you get here.

I mean, you're never going to find a perfect baseball player. They don't exist. I just think people overreact sometimes though, like I said, the injury history is a pretty valid reason to dislike the deal.

 

[ConigsCorner]

I'm not excited about this signing.
 
Attitude problems in the past and doesn't seem to stay healthy.
For whatever reason, I can't copy/paste, but I the play that always sticks out to me was when he booted that ball into left field and jogged after it slowly while the Diamondbacks were scoring and the batter ended up at third. Then his post game comments were bad too.
 

You mean Ramirez is not perfect like the rest of us here?!  And he actually didn't hustle that time?!  Damn him to hell!

 

[AbbyNoho]

Holy shit. This is a fantastic exclamation point on what has been a great weekend for me. Got engaged yesterday which makes this weekend amazing no matter what, and then this as the cherry on the sundae. I'm going to sleep well tonight.

 
Yeah, but your DK still hasn't hit level 100 yet. 99 ain't raid ready, son. 

 

[Rasputin]

 
Yeah, but your DK still hasn't hit level 100 yet. 99 ain't raid ready, son. 

 
Yeah, like dinging 100 is gonna make him raid ready.
 
Also, DKs, ugh.

 

[Snodgrass'Muff]

 
Yeah, like dinging 100 is gonna make him raid ready.
 
Also, DKs, ugh.

DK's rock. And I hit 100 around 1am. I'll be raid ready soon enough. Enough gaming talk, though. You guys can make fun of my noobness in the video game forum.

 

[mt8thsw9th]

Enough gaming talk, though. 

 
No shit.

 

[Coachster]

 
He pretty much only follows hot chicks on Twitter. There's a NSFW banner on one of them, so tread carefully.

Interesting that one of the 74 people he follows is Jenny Dell. Replacing WMB at the hot corner?

 

[Devizier]

I decided to take a peek at Hanley Ramirez's hit chart over the last three seasons. Fangraphs includes hang-time charts, which is interesting.
 

 
Interestingly, it looks like Ramirez lofted a fair number of fly balls to deep left over the past three years. I don't know if this is an abnormal thing, as I haven't looked at enough of these hit charts. But obviously, his being a pull hitter might help matters here. 
 

 

[RedOctober3829]

And we have this.

 

Jerry Crasnick ‏@jcrasnick 44s44 seconds ago
Multiple sources say reported 5-yr, $90M contract figure for Hanley Ramirez is "not accurate.'' No further details right now.
 

 

[Corsi]

Joon Lee ‏@iamjoonlee  5s6 seconds ago
Off the @jcrasnick report on Hanley Ramirez contract figures, heard that the number was higher than the report 5/$90M that’s been out there.

 

[Corsi]

Ken Rosenthal ‏@Ken_Rosenthal  1m1 minute ago
Reported this as range, not absolute. RT @jcrasnick: Sources say reported 5-yr, $90M contract figure for Hanley is "not accurate.''

 

[williams_482]

Then I'm not sure how you pry Hamels away. We know how Amaro is.

If that is what Amaro wants then the answer is, you don't. And nobody else does either.
 
There is legitimate debate over exactly what Cole Hamels is worth, but from a rational, objective standpoint there is zero doubt that Bogaerts and especially Betts are astronomically more valuable pieces. 

 

[LondonSox]

Last year Amaro thought the Phillies were contenders. He was crazy then and if he is crazy the same way now the Sox have MLB established players to trade, as well as prospects.
 
I just have no idea what he wants, he is a stone age non stats Luddite by all reports, it's totally possible he has weird (low) valuations on prospects, and high on established vets. I really wouldn't be shocked.

 

[mloyko54]

Jon Heyman @JonHeymanCBS

Hanley in agreement with Red Sox, pending physical too. Red Sox complete quick free agent double play.
 
Heyman confirms too

 

[williams_482]

Last year Amaro thought the Phillies were contenders. He was crazy then and if he is crazy the same way now the Sox have MLB established players to trade, as well as prospects.
 
I just have no idea what he wants, he is a stone age non stats Luddite by all reports, it's totally possible he has weird (low) valuations on prospects, and high on established vets. I really wouldn't be shocked.

Amaro is (apparently) an idiot, but just because he wants a ridiculous return for Hamels does not mean anyone is obligated to give him one, and I have every reason to believe that our FO is smarter than that. 
 
If Amaro continues to make crazy demands then Cole Hamels will remain a member of the Phillies, to the detriment of both parties. 

 

[mloyko54]

Ken Rosenthal @Ken_Rosenthal

Hanley Ramirez terms with #RedSox, per source: Four years, $88M with fifth-year vesting option valued at $22M.
 
Even better! Only 4 years fully guaranteed