Red Sox announce 4-year deal with Hanley Ramirez
The Boston Red Sox are getting to know Hanley Ramirez all over again.
Having originally signed him as an amateur free agent 14 years ago, the Red Sox completed their free-agent doubleheader by officially announcing the signing of Ramirez to a four-year contract on Tuesday.
"The opportunity to bring Hanley back to Boston is an idea that's been in the back of our minds for a long time," general manager Ben Cherington said at the introductory press conference.
Ramirez, who will wear No. 13 next season, said that he was really upset when the Red Sox traded him to the then Florida Marlins nine years ago and always hoped to return to Boston.
"I'm really happy to be back in Boston," Ramirez said. "Hopefully I can finish my career here... This is home for me."
Ramirez, who has spent the majority of his career at shortstop, was introduced as a left fielder. Despite having never played in the outfield in the majors, the Red Sox intend to deploy Ramirez in left and newly-signed Pablo Sandoval at third base. Incumbent Xander Bogaerts will remain at shortstop.
Cherington said the two sides had a number of conversations about what bringing in Ramirez would look like, and that the deal came together over the weekend thanks to Ramirez's willingness to change positions.
“It’ll take some time [to learn left field],” Cherington said. “Nobody’s expecting him to be perfect on day one, but he’ll work at it, I think he’s even getting to Ft. Myers a little bit early before Spring Training, and we’ll work with him, help him in any way that we can, and in time we’re confident he’ll be good out there.
“I think his willingness and his openness in embracing it and finding a way to make it work to come back here was really, really appealing for us on top of obviously the offensive ability and knowing him for so long.”
While the move to left brings uncertainty to Yoenis Cespedes's future with the team, the 29-year-old outfielder reportedly told manager John Farrell on Monday that he's open to a move to either center or right field next season.
Ramirez's four-year deal, valued at $88 million, includes a $3 million singing bonus. The three-time All-Star will earn $19 million in 2014 and $22 million in each of the next three seasons, with a $22-million vesting option for 2019, according to Gordon Edes of ESPN.
A number of current Red Sox put in calls to Ramirez following his signing, including second baseman Dustin Pedroia.
“I got this guy today calling me, I don’t know if you guys know him, his name is Dustin Pedroia," Ramirez said. "He called me and he was all over me. He just said ‘'congratulations, and get everything together; I got two rings you don’t got any, and I want some more.’ And those little things, they pump you up, and you try to be better every day.”
Despite questions surrounding his durability, Ramirez provides what Cherington described as an "elite" level offense when healthy. Over the past two seasons, Ramirez has appeared in 214 games while slashing .308/.382/.525 with 33 home runs and 128 RBI.
In order to make room for Ramirez, the Red Sox designated recently acquired third baseman Juan Francisco for assignment.