Without Ramirez, the Dodgers have an obvious hole at shortstop and the middle of their batting order. However, Ramirez’s defense at shortstop was a liability at times last season and the Dodgers have no open position to move Ramirez in 2015. The report does not say whether or not Ramirez’s camp has received an offer from the Dodgers or any other team.
Ramirez has reportedly drawn wide initial interest as a free agent, including from some teams who would be able to accommodate a position switch in 2015:
As others have reported, the Astros, Mariners, Red Sox, and Blue Jays have all checked in on Hanley, with one source adding that “a couple of others” are in the mix as well. It appears that the infielder is very early in his free-agent process, with a signing not likely to come for a while.
The Dodgers have shown interest in trading for Chicago White Sox shortstop Alexei Ramirez, according to multiple reports. They could also use Erisbel Arruebarrena or Alex Guerrero as a short-term stopgap for prospect Corey Seager, who is considered the team’s shortstop of the future.
Ironically (for the team with the highest payroll in baseball history) the biggest obstacle to bringing back Hanley Ramirez might be salary. Ramirez is thought to be seeking a multiyear contract worth more in average annual value than the $13.5 million qualifying offer he rejected, while the Dodgers’ new front office is trying to trim payroll for 2015 and beyond. Even if there is some mutual interest in a reunion, the Dodgers aren’t a safe bet to win a bidding war for Ramirez.