Fansided

These teams might want to get on the phone about Hanley Ramirez

By Rucker Haringey

ST PETERSBURG, FL - MAY 24: Hanley Ramirez #13 of the Boston Red Sox looks on during a game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field on May 24, 2018 in St Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
ST PETERSBURG, FL - MAY 24: Hanley Ramirez #13 of the Boston Red Sox looks on during a game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field on May 24, 2018 in St Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /
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PHILADELPHIA, PA – MAY 11: Adrian Gonzalez #23 of the New York Mets in action against the Philadelphia Phillies during a game at Citizens Bank Park on May 11, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Mets defeated the Phillies 3-1. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA – MAY 11: Adrian Gonzalez #23 of the New York Mets in action against the Philadelphia Phillies during a game at Citizens Bank Park on May 11, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Mets defeated the Phillies 3-1. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /

4. New York Mets

The Phillies aren’t the only NL East contender who could benefit from acquiring Hanley Ramirez. The Mets also have a need to improve production at first base. Adrian Gonzalez isn’t giving them what they need at the plate this year.

Gonzalez actually has a slightly negative WAR of -.1 on this season despite hitting .263 in 118 plate appearances. His lack of power outside of his five home runs really drags down his contributions to the Mets’ lineup.

Similar to the situation with Philadelphia, the Mets should be working hard to improve their team anyway they can. The Division race is so tight that another win here and there could easily catapult the Mets to the top. Signing Ramirez would be an expensive upgrade, but it would give the team a lot better options at first base. This is another place where Ramirez could enter into a platoon with the left-handed hitting Ramirez.

Ultimately, Ramirez is a couple of years younger and a little bit better player than Adrian Gonzalez at the moment. That should be enough to get the Mets to make a call to the Red Sox.

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