Tampa Bay Rays: Wilson Ramos wants to remain beyond 2018
By David Hill
The Tampa Bay Rays gave Wilson Ramos a chance when other teams were backing away. He wants to return the favor and stay beyond 2018.
Wilson Ramos appeared set to cash in during free agency after the 2016 campaign. He had posted a career best .307/.354/.496 batting line, hitting 22 homers while making his first All Star Game. At 28 years old, he was just coming into his prime, ready to be a key part of a lineup for years to come.
Then, disaster struck. He tore the ACL in his right knee in late September, an injury that would keep him out of action into the 2017 campaign. Teams that would have been interested in Ramos normally backed off, leaving him to sign with the Tampa Bay Rays on a two year deal worth $12.5 million.
An impending free agent after this season, Ramos wants to return the favor to the Rays. After they gave him a chance when other teams backed off, he wants to stay in Tampa Bay beyond this season. After all, the team helped him through his rehab, and gave him a two year deal when other teams were unwilling to do so.
More from Call to the Pen
- Philadelphia Phillies, ready for a stretch run, bomb St. Louis Cardinals
- Philadelphia Phillies: The 4 players on the franchise’s Mount Rushmore
- Boston Red Sox fans should be upset over Mookie Betts’ comment
- Analyzing the Boston Red Sox trade for Dave Henderson and Spike Owen
- 2023 MLB postseason likely to have a strange look without Yankees, Red Sox, Cardinals
Keeping Ramos would certainly be a boon to the Rays lineup for the future. Healthy once again, he has produced an excellent .282/.326/.437 batting line, hitting eight homers and nine doubles. Although his defense is below average, and he has thrown out only 13% of would be basestealers this season, he is a veteran backstop that could work with the Rays upcoming crop of young pitchers. For the right price, this could be a boon for the Rays going forward.
However, as an impending free agent, it is likely that he will be traded at the deadline. Denard Span and Alex Colome have already been sent away, even though the Rays were over .500 at the time. If a team is in need of a catcher with an excellent offensive profile, Ramos could be on his way out of town by the deadline.
In just over a year of action, Ramos has established himself as one of the best catchers in Rays history. His 102 wRC+ is the second best mark of any Rays catcher with over 400 plate appearances, trailing only John Jaso. If he stays in Tampa Bay for a full season, he could move up to third all time in WAR, trailing only Jaso and Toby Hall.
As it stands, Wilson Ramos gives the Tampa Bay Rays something they simply have not had over their history – a catcher who is a viable threat in the batting order. If he has his way, he would continue to provide that for years to come.