Free agent shortstop Hanley Ramirez willing to change positions
Longtime shortstop and current free agent Hanley Ramirez has told teams he is willing to switch positions and play “wherever there’s a need,” CBS Sports’ Jon Heyman reported this morning.
Ramirez's willingness to play in different spots on the diamond could attract more interest from teams open to placing him at third base or possibly the outfield. Multiple executives have told Heyman that Ramirez's comments also indicated a willingness to shift to a corner outfield position or even third base.
According to Heyman, one of the teams in contact with Ramirez is the Boston Red Sox, for whom Ramirez played during his debut season.
Ramirez, 30, spent six full seasons with the Marlins before being traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2012. This season, he led all shortstops with a .363 on-base percentage and a .447 slugging percentage.
Earlier this week, the Dodgers extended a $15.3 million qualifying offer to him. He has until Nov. 10 to accept or reject the offer.
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Ramirez is a three-time All-Star with a career .300 batting average. Last season, he hit .283 with 13 home runs, 71 RBI and an .817 OPS.
- Danielle Zhu
