Free agent star Hanley Ramirez, one of the best offensive shortstops in baseball over the last nine seasons, is telling interested teams he is willing to play "wherever there's a need," a clear signal he would switch to third base and perhaps even elsewhere on the diamond, which could potentially open up his market to several more teams.
Ramirez's invitation to play a different position has been taken by interested teams to mean he'd even consider a corner outfield spot or perhaps even first base for desirable teams in winning situations, multiple executives with interest in Ramirez say.
While many shortstops refuse to ever let go of that coveted position, Ramirez, 30, is being realistic about things with this approach. Adam Katz, Ramirez's longtime agent, declined to comment.
Ramirez led all shortstops in on-base percentage and slugging percentage in 2014, even if he failed to duplicate his superb overall 2013 performance. He has resurrected his career in Los Angeles, where he helped the Dodgers improve their fortunes every year and win two straight division titles with his big offensive production. The Dodgers also appreciated his toughness as he played through a multitude of painful injuries, none of which is considered chronic.
He hit .283 with 13 home runs and 71 RBI in 2014, and his .363 on-base percentage, .447 slugging percentage and .810 OPS as a shortstop were tops for all qualifiers at that position (his overall OPS was even better, at .817).
Ramirez's flexibility to play positions besides shortstop should increase his market to include many more teams, who could envision him at third base, left field or elsewhere, perhaps even his old Red Sox team, which could use help at third base, at the very least. Boston is one of the teams that have been in contact with Ramirez, though Boston is looking at Pablo Sandoval and others, as well.
It could also enhance Ramirez's chances to receive a contract commensurate with his abilities, which are extraordinary. Ramirez, a career .300 hitter, finished eighth in NL MVP balloting in 2013 even though he played in barely more than a half season that year, batting .345 with 20 home runs and a 1.040 OPS in 86 games.
While the free-agent market is generally thin in terms of depth of big-time position players, Ramirez is joined by at least three other positional stars at the top of the market -- third baseman Sandoval, DH Victor Martinez and DH/outfielder Nelson Cruz. While no exact figures have surfaced, there's little question Ramirez will be seeking a nine-figure deal, as is Sandoval. (Martinez and Cruz, somewhat older, were reported here to be shooting for shorter, four-year deals).
