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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HOUSTON, TX – MAY 20: Edwin Encarnacion #10 of the Cleveland Indians flinches as he is almost hit by a pitch against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park on May 20, 2018 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX – MAY 20: Edwin Encarnacion #10 of the Cleveland Indians flinches as he is almost hit by a pitch against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park on May 20, 2018 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images) /

2. Cleveland Indians

The Indians find themselves atop the AL Central despite getting negative production from their DH spot. Swapping Ramirez for Edward Encarnacion might help the Indians leave the Twins and Tigers in the dust.

Encarnacion has mashed 10 home runs on the season, but he’s been pretty awful otherwise. His .202 average is a large reason why his WAR for the season is -.2. That’s terrible production from a player who is largely a designated hitter for the club.

Ramirez can help the tribe by taking over the DH duties on a full-time basis. He can play first for the team on occasion, but that shouldn’t be his main role. The ultimate point here is that acquiring Ramirez can erase Encarnacion from the playing rotation entirely.

The Indians are another team who will likely need to wait for Ramirez to become a free agent. They won’t want to take on his massive salary. Like the Pirates, they should already be in communication with Ramirez’s agency in case that occurs.

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