In order for the Miami Marlins to be successful with their new manager in their new stadium, they will need Hanley Ramirez to be on board with his change of position. Ramirez is a shortstop. He has also been the Marlins’ best player for quite a few years. Now that Jose Reyes was signed to play his position, you can understand why Hanley may feel a bit insulted. While there have been reports that he has accepted the fact that he is the Marlins’ third baseman and Reyes is the shortstop, Ozzie Guillen said that is not yet the case. Check out this video from the Miami Herald:
“No, no,” Ozzie said when asked if Ramirez is 100 percent on board with moving to third base. “Hanley? I don’t think he’s 100 percent on board — not yet. From the last time I talked to him, no. I don’t expect him to be. I expect him to be 100 percent on board with this move when we play St. Louis (in the first game of the season). Right now, just let it be.”
“This is Hanley’s team, man. I said that even when we were going after Albert Pujols.”
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: this is the elephant in the room that could drown the fish this season. Ownership has spent plenty of money and we know Ozzie is capable of leading a team to a World Series, but Miami will suffer if Ramirez decides he wants his old position back.
H/T Eye on Baseball
