Hanley Ramirez and his Free Agent Destination
Aug 30, 2014; San Diego, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Hanley Ramirez (13) follows through during the sixth inning against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports
The shortstop of the Los Angeles Dodgers, Hanley Ramirez, is headed to free agency after he declined his qualifying offer about a week ago. The general consensus seems to be that Hanley will not return to the Dodgers, but that could potentially be a good thing for his fantasy value next year.
In the 2014 season, Dodger Stadium had park factors that strongly favored pitching in terms of runs and hits. According to park factors, Dodger Stadium ranked 27th in runs and 29th in hits. However, it favored hitters in terms of home runs as it was 5th in that category. I would still consider Dodger Stadium to be a pitcher’s park overall.
If Hanley Ramirez leaves the Dodgers, then the odds are that his next team will play in a stadium that is more conducive to runs and hits. I think the Toronto Blue Jays and the New York Yankees are two very realistic choices for the high-end free agent to end up. Both stadiums are very hitter friendly and both teams are potential contenders in need of a shortstop.
I think Hanley would see a rise in stock by going to either of those destinations. In both ballparks, we could see Hanley Ramirez return to the 25 home run level. Beyond his above average power, Ramirez still poses a threat on the base paths and could steal over 15 bases, but he also represents an injury risk. In the last two seasons, Hanley Ramirez only played 214 games with the Dodgers.
Hanley Ramirez is going to be a 31 year old SS in 2015 with a growing list of injuries, but he is still the second most talented offensive shortstop in baseball and he should be drafted accordingly so. He will not be the fantasy superstar that he was from 2007 to 2010 with the Florida Marlins, but he still presents major upside as he was one of the best players in baseball during his 86 game season in 2013.
In those 86 games, Hanley crushed 20 homers and swiped 10 bases in slightly over half a season. He also slashed an outrageous .345/.402/.638. It was the best baseball that Hanley Ramirez ever played even dating back to his Marlins seasons when he was the second best player in fantasy baseball. That production was only a year ago, and it is why Hanley Ramirez is such a potentially attractive option.
I think that the New York Yankees are the team that pays for the services of Hanley Ramirez to fill in their hole at shortstop for the first time in nearly two decades. Playing in Yankee Stadium could provide a bump in Hanley’s power numbers and 2015 outlook. While I am usually not a fan of Hanley, he offers rare, elite upside at a weak position where there are only two superior shortstops.