I don’t see the Twins trading for him so he will have to clear release waivers and become a free agent.

His options at that point could be the Astros who need a DH and the Rockies who need a 1B. There will be other interest. I don’t see why he would select the Twins over opportunities from the Astros or Rockies. With Mauer, Morrison and Sano his path to regular playing time is more limited.

Does anyone have a great enough interest that they would trade for him?

 

I agree with you. There will probably be more attractive options for him. 

 

Trade is a real long shot because you get the contract and the vesting option. 

How about this:

 

Sign Hanley Ramirez

Call LaMonte Wade up

 

DFA LaMarre and Outright Duffey, option Petit to AAA (Sano moves back to 3B, Escobar to SS, Adrianza as utility)

 

Use Wade as 4th OF, platoon Ramirez with Morrison (Ramirez hits .895 OPS off lefties in his career, .854 in 2018) (Morrison hits .782 OPS off righties in his career, .692 in 2018) or play Morrison at 1B and Ramirez as DH until Mauer returns.

 

I dunno, this seems alright to me. Hanley can still hit lefties, my only problem would be his personality problems. Oh, and Grossman could get DFA'd in this scenario as well.

I’ve mentioned this before, but I still think adding bit pieces for this year would be a waste of effort.

 

Sure, the standings say the Twins are in it, but Cleveland still has more talent than the Twins. Considerably more. A lot has been made of the fact that the Twins have only played 10 divisional games. Cleveland has only played 15. So, they are just as likely to take care of business against subpar teams, including the Twins. The Indians that are scuffling some are just as likely to rebound to their career norms as those that are for the Twins. Indeed, moreso. No one is really sure what the “career norms” for Sano and Buxton are right now.

 

Now, let’s talk run differential. The Indians are + 13. For perspective, the 30-20 Mariners are +9. The Twins are -17. They are where they should be. The Indians are not. They are far more likely to improve their record than the Twins.

 

Sell, not buy IMO.

 

I’ve mentioned this before, but I still think adding bit pieces for this year would be a waste of effort.

Sure, the standings say the Twins are in it, but Cleveland still has more talent than the Twins. Considerably more. A lot has been made of the fact that the Twins have only played 10 divisional games. Cleveland has only played 15. So, they are just as likely to take care of business against subpar teams, including the Twins. The Indians that are scuffling some are just as likely to rebound to their career norms as those that are for the Twins. Indeed, moreso. No one is really sure what the “career norms” for Sano and Buxton are right now.

Now, let’s talk run differential. The Indians are + 13. For perspective, the 30-20 Mariners are +9. The Twins are -17. They are where they should be. The Indians are not. They are far more likely to improve their record than the Twins.

Sell, not buy IMO.

The Indians were 31-31 last year on June 14. They went on to win 101 games. That's not to say they'll do that again but they did start slow last year as well.

He's available for the MLB minimum.   Should the Twins pick him up.  I vote "No" , but maybe the brain trust thinks they can fix Hanley!!!

If the Twins can fix him in the minors im all for it. I guess he can replace Grossman on the roster if he has to start in the majors and play 1b/ DH/ backup RF and LF and PH.

He is free to sign with any team.

 

I wonder if he would see the Twins as the best option. His road to playing regularly hinges on whether Mauer is able to return.

 

As for the Twins, they should be interested. They have playing time right now. A good 6 weeks could turn this small investment into a prospect from another team.

 

If he plays well flip him by the deadline. If not, release him.

Ramirez can massacre lefties. He's better than the other bench options.

How a fan could be opposed to this is kind flabbergasting.

 

1). How bad can he possible be in the locker room? Was he holding the Red Sox from a 162-0 season?

 

2). The guy can still hit well enough to supplant multiple guys in this lineup. We need a RH bat.

 

3). He'd get DH at-bats. Those that Grossman or light-hitter dejour gets. The position flexibility is basically meaningless, as Grossman only plays the corner OF spots, and plays them very poorly. You have guys like LaMarre, Wade, Granite to play defense. You're losing nothing there.

 

4). If he comes here and he rakes, you dump him at the deadline.

 

5). He'll cost nothing, so if he stinks you send him down the road again.

 

What exactly is the downside? I could care less about the $600k, or whatever. The owners are rich enough that they probably don't either.

Edited June 3, 20188 yr by Darius

Not saying yes or no, but I found thjs interesting:

 

2018

 

AVG OB SLG OPS

GROSSMAN .234 .324 .331 .655

RAMIREZ .254 .313 .395 .708

 

 

LAST 30 GAMES

 

AVG OB SLG OPS

GROSSMAN .287 .381 .402 .783

RAMIREZ .221 .284 .328 .612

Edited June 3, 20188 yr by DocBauer

 

Not saying yes or no, but I found thjs interesting:

2018

AVG OB SLG OPS
GROSSMAN .234 .324 .331 .655
RAMIREZ .254 .313 .395 .708


LAST 30 GAMES

AVG OB SLG OPS
GROSSMAN .287 .381 .402 .783
RAMIREZ .221 .284 .328 .612

vs. LH: Ramirez OPS: .854; Grossman .631

Here’s a weird thought. Could he be older than 34?

 

If he is toast, it’s a little young for a superstar to completely fade.

 

I’m guessing he would be worth signing, not because he is currently better than players on the roster (he is), but more that he will likely regress back towards his career numbers.

 

That's all well and good, but I don't know too many others who would base EVERYTHING off "wRC+"

 

Never mind that Ramirez beats him in every category, but for OBP and that is only due to walks.

and what good is OBP is you make dumb base running mistakes? Like getting caught between third and home twice in one game.

Remember those character issues?  

 

Remember those character issues?  

 

A little possible clarity on why he was released and why he hasn't been signed. 

 

 

From that link:

 

After that car stop, police recovered a significant amount of drugs. And during that car stop, the suspect claimed that one of the items found in the vehicle belonged to Hanley Ramirez and then FaceTimed [Ramirez] in front of police. And that car stop coordinated with the timing of his release from the Red Sox.

Too bad that drug dealer didn't accidentally FaceTime Matt Belisle instead...

 

From that link:


Too bad that drug dealer didn't accidentally FaceTime Matt Belisle instead...

 

Ouch

 

Remember those character issues?  

Turns out that reporting was fairly baseless:

 

https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/mlb/ramirez-not-under-federal-investigation-friend-dropped-his-name-hoping-to-avoid-arrest/ar-AAz6iIo?ocid=ob-tw-enus-1508523114409

 

Interestingly, I think getting released by the Red Sox pretty much confirms that Ramirez wasn't involved. I'm guessing the Red Sox would have rather placed him on the unpaid restricted list.

Yeah, looks like that wasn't true.  I'm not sure it alleviates all the character concerns, however.  It just absolves him of that particular issue.