Hanley Ramirez

by faketeams on Mar 27, 2008 6:11 AM EDT in Baseball

Am I the only one who read this headline, "Marlins don't want Hanley to risk injury", and thought, "Oh, crap! Hanley can't reach his draft value if he doesn't steal 50"? My next action was to click through and read the article.

In it, current Marlins' manager Fredi Gonzalez expressed the intention that sometime in the future Ramirez will stop trying to steal so many bases and concentrate on hitting more HRs.

As his career progresses, manager Fredi Gonzalez ideally would like to see Ramirez steal less and hit for more power.

The speedy Ramirez swiped 51 bases in each of his first two seasons. This year, he may well end up reaching that number again. But in a perfect world, Gonzalez prefers the talented shortstop to gradually reduce that number.

Asked if Ramirez was primed for another 50 stolen base season, Gonzalez said: "I hope not. The reason being, the more your body gets banged up -- the wear and tear. He's a guy who hits .300, he hits you 30 [home runs], and has a chance to drive in a lot of runs. I'm scared, because the more you attempt to steal, even if you don't steal, you're diving back to first base. You're getting beaten up pretty good.

"He can handle it now, being as young as he is. Hopefully, the home runs go up and the stolen bases go down."

So do the Marlins have the type of team that would allow Ramirez to stop making things happen on the bases? Very affirmatively, they do not. 3B is being manned by cast-off Jorge Cantu. CF is filled with Alejandro de Aza and Cody Ross. Behind the plate? There is a drop-off from expected starter Mike Rubello, who will open the season on the DL, to I-don't-know-who.

The team's pitching staff is just as bad. Cast-off Mark Hendrickson is the Opening Day starter. Scott Olsen looks like he will never get back to his 2006 production. Sergio Mitre? On the DL following a campaign with a 1.50+ WHIP. Ricky Nolasco? Coming off a 2007 season lost to injury. Rick VandenHurk? Some promise. Andrew Miller? The same.

The only thing fantasy owners need to worry about HanRam is those who are looking beyond the 2008 season. For those, there is no easy way to dismiss these stated intentions of Ramirez's manager.

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re: HanRam

"The only thing fantasy owners need to worry about HanRam is those who are looking beyond the 2008 season. For those, there is no easy way to dismiss these stated intentions of Ramirez's manager. "
that is IF he's still the manager. The Marlins go through managers like they do High salary players!

Bob (5150bosox)

by 5150bosox on Mar 27, 2008 8:48 AM EDT reply actions

Nice catch

The second paragraph alludes to just that - current manager. The Marlins are not good enough yet to let Ramirez's speed go to waste. Nor are they in a financial situation to preserve it for his next team.

by faketeams on Mar 27, 2008 9:49 AM EDT reply actions

+1

If Hanley continues to put up numbers like last year, the MArlins will trade him by the ned of this year or next. I remember reading an article saying something to that affect.

raygu

by Ray Guilfoyle on Mar 27, 2008 10:23 AM EDT reply actions

Trade him

Not a chance.....they are moving into a new stadium and cant not deal their one main piece....presumably they should gain better revenue by moving the stadium to a more fan friendly town. I have heard that its current position (much like the Rays) doesnt make it worth travel.....I guess the question all Floridian fans want to know.....will a new stadium drum up more revenue....I assume they do.

MLG_true_MVP-88'

by Hinz57er on Mar 27, 2008 11:44 AM EDT reply actions

The Howard Effect

The Howard Effect (copyright pending) may cause Hamley to be dealt. Recall Howard was awarded $10MM as a first time arbitration-eligible. There is absolutely no reason why hanley doesn't ask for something damn close to that at the first chance.

Expect to see Prince Fielder do it to Milwaukee, and I hope this was the consideration in the Rays tossing away goodwill to send Longoria to AAA. For small marlet cluns, they may have no choice any longer because free agency is no longer the financially-undoable. It will be the arbitration years with guaranteed salaries no worse than 20% less.

That means Howard will be paid a minimum of $8MM for 2009 even if he hits a mere 15 HRs.

by faketeams on Mar 27, 2008 1:01 PM EDT reply actions