By Anthony Caruso III | Publisher
The Boston Red Sox have designated first baseman and designated hitter Hanley Ramírez on Friday morning. In a corresponding move, the team has activated second baseman Dustin Pedroia off of the disabled list.
The 34-year-old had been with the Red Sox since the 2015 season. He was due $15-plus million this season.
That likely had a factor in the team’s decision to designate him for assignment. Also, he was on pace to have his option for next season to kick in for $22 million with his at-bats kicker.
The Red Sox will have now seven days to trade Ramírez, or they will outright release him.
Hanley Ramírez was currently in a 0-for-20 slump before the team made the roster move. Through 44 games, he had .254 batting average with six home runs and 29 RBIs.
With this surprising move, the team will likely use Mitch Moreland, as the first baseman moving forward. Blake Swihart, who recently requested a trade, may also get occasional starts at this position, as well.
Prior to this move, the belief was that the team was going to trade Swihart, or even send down Jackie Bradley Jr. or Brock Holt to the minors. But Red Sox general manager Dave Dombrowski has a history of not afraid to take risks for his team.
Ramírez had 177 at-bats through the 44 games. Last season, his final full season with the team in the third-year of his contract, he had 496 at-bats through 133 games.
He has played for the Red Sox, the Florida Marlins, and Los Angeles Dodgers.
