Hanley Ramirez and Dodgers Talking Extension
Hanley Ramirez could be a Dodger beyond the 2014 season.
Scott Rovak-USA TODAY Sports
A report by Dionisio Soldevila of ESPN Deportes states that the Los Angeles Dodgers and shortstop Hanley Ramirez are discussing a contract extension. The report emanates out of Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic where Ramirez and his WBC championship teammates were being honored.
Regarding the status of a potential extension, Ramirez had this:
"“I can not talk about money or years, but we are negotiating and something could happen this winter,” he [Ramirez] said."
Ramirez also states that he wants to stay on Los Angeles for the remainder of his career because “they have treated me very well”.
And recall the talk surrounding Ramirez when he was dealt to the Dodgers from the Miami Marlins. He had been benched for lack of hustle. Questions were raised about his effort and commitment. Some believe HanRam tanked his last days as a Marlin.
But since arriving in Los Angeles, Ramirez has experienced a re-birth. In 150 games for the Dodgers, Ramirez owns a triple slash of .312/.367/.553 with 30 home runs, 101 RBI, 92 runs scored and his OPS+ is 154. Ramirez finished 8th in the NL MVP voting despite playing in only 86 games. A hamstring injury forced him to the disabled list in early May. Upon his return, he was part of the spark that sent the Dodgers to the top of the NL West.
The improvement could be partially due to the fact that the Dodgers moved Ramirez back to his original position of shortstop. The majority of his last 93 games in Miami were as a third baseman. Ramirez was supplanted as the Marlins shortstop upon Miami signing Jose Reyes prior to the 2012 season.
Now it’s those ribs…and Ramirez added that’s he is not quite yet at 100 percent.
Even though Ramirez has played nine seasons, he is only 29 and won’t turn 30 until next month. He enters the 2014 in the final year of a six-year, $70MM deal and will earn $16MM for the 2014 season.