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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CINCINNATI, OH – MAY 22: Josh Bell #55 of the Pittsburgh Pirates looks on before batting during a game against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park on May 22, 2018 in Cincinnati, Ohio. The Reds won 7-2. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Josh Bell
CINCINNATI, OH – MAY 22: Josh Bell #55 of the Pittsburgh Pirates looks on before batting during a game against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park on May 22, 2018 in Cincinnati, Ohio. The Reds won 7-2. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Josh Bell /

3. Pittsburgh Pirates

The Pirates are currently three games behind the Brewers in a very crowded NL central race. Adding Ramirez could give Pittsburgh’s lineup the spark it needs to close some ground on Milwaukee.

The team hoped this would be the year Josh Bell could break out and become a positive force on offense, but it just hasn’t happened. He hasn’t been a negative for the team, but a WAR of 0 at the first base position just isn’t going to cut it for a playoff contender.

The 25-year-old is hitting .253 on the season but he doesn’t give his team much in the way of power or on base percentage. He’s only left the yard three times on the season and his .OBP of just .332 isn’t helping make up for his lack of power.

Ramirez would be a significant gamble for the Pirates in a trade due to his salary. They might be a team who would only be interested in his services if he becomes a free agent. Given the decent probability of that occurring, the Pirates need to be in communication with Ramirez’s representatives immediately.

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