The Red Sox are reportedly interested in moving Hanley Ramirez, but finding a willing trade partner is proving to be difficult.
On Monday, the Red Sox agreed to a two-year deal with veteran Mitch Moreland. They also reportedly have their sights set on free agent slugger J.D. Martinez. The addition of Martinez, likely on a lucrative contract, may create a need for Boston to alleviate some salary. One person who could be on the way out is Ramirez.
Ramirez, who signed as a free agent in 2014, is owed over $22 million next season and potentially $22 million in 2019 if he reaches a certain number of plate appearances next season. That clause has apparently made it tough to find a team willing to take Ramirez, despite the Red Sox being willing to eat some of his 2018 salary.
There have been rumblings that the Red Sox want to trade Hanley Ramirez, would eat some 2018 money, but can’t find a suitor. That plate appearance clause that kicks in for 2019 makes it very tough. https://t.co/xFj5NY2ghY
— Evan Drellich (@EvanDrellich) December 18, 2017
Ramirez, 33, played in 133 games in 2017. He started 108 of them as a designated hitter, which is where he is best suited at this stage of his career. Ramirez batted .242/.320/.429 last season with 23 home runs and 62 RBI.
A team considering a trade knows Ramirez is not much of an asset defensively and that injury concerns are seemingly always present. However, as recently as 2016, Ramirez produced 30 home runs and 111 RBI. Boston may be able to convince a team Ramirez can channel that once again, but they will likely have to eat some of his salary to complete a trade.
