Baseball
Hanley Ramirez, the 34-year old Dominican baseball infielder is still under a 4-year contract, worth $88 million with Boston Red Sox. The contract with a 5th year vesting option which would bring the grand total of $110 million, which means a $22 million vesting for 2019.
Though the contract is still in action, Ramirez might have to look for other options. The Red Sox's manager, Alex Cora has suggested removing Ramirez from the roster to make room for returning Dustin Pedroia.
VIDEO: Hanley Ramirez sings a 4-year contract worth$88 million with Boston Red Sox in 2014
Ramirez has a poor performance since the start of this season, with 117 ranking out of 165 regulars with a 0.315 wOBA, while Pedroia has 0.314 wOBA. And Ramirez hasn't been so good in 2015 and 2017 season. In his four seasons with the Red Sox, he only provided above-average offense in 2016. And obviously one will need more than that for a DH or first baseman.
VIDEO: Hanley Ramirez's 2016 with Boston Red Sox
Not much, but Ramirez can somehow be a defensive liability for the 2018 season and maybe in coming seasons, which brings to his limited contribution to the team.
With the Red Sox still owing him about $15 million for the rest of the season. He has an upper hand for no other's team will possibly pick up the salary and the Red Sox have to deal with that. And what the team might want to avoid is paying Ramirez $22 million for the 2019 season, which will be given to him only if he manages another 302 plate appearance during the 2018 regular season.
VIDEO: Hanley Ramirez designated for assignment
So, the Red Sox might have to dump him to avoid $22 million paychecks to Ramirez. And the team have seven days to trade him or release him and save the $22 million next year.
In case the Red Sox dump Ramirez, which would even make sense, then what option will be there for the infielder? Well, tracking every possibility, Ramirez might have a deal with Houston Astros, Los Angeles Angels, Minnesota Twins, and New York Yankees. And we might have to wait for the possible outcome.
