Rays Slugger Reportedly Available; Red Sox Are Logical Trade Partners

Boston needs an impact right-handed bat

Scott Neville | Jan 8, 2024

Rays Slugger Reportedly Available; Red Sox Are Logical Trade Partners /

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Could the Boston Red Sox fill their need for an impact right-handed bat by trading within the American League East?

Boston has shown an unwillingness to spend this offseason, and after whiffing on free-agent target Teoscar Hernández, who signed a mildly lucrative one-year deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers, budgetary expectations have never been lower.

Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow reportedly has serious interest in outfielder/designated hitter Jorge Soler but would likely have to lowball him and then trade closer Kenley Jansen or possibly even Masataka Yoshida to meet ownership's demands.

With that in mind, it might make sense for Breslow to make a move for an affordable but impactful bat that would allow for financial flexibility elsewhere -- such as Boston's search for another starting pitcher.

"The Rays, according to sources, also have been shopping designated hitter Harold Ramírez, whose OPS-plus the past two seasons is 21 percent above league average," The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal wrote Monday. "MLB Trade Rumors projects Ramírez to earn $4.4 million in arbitration next season. Trading him would create even more at-bats for (Jonathan) Aranda and another 25-and-under hitter, Curtis Mead."

Ramírez hit .313 with 33 extra-base hits including 12 home runs, 68 RBIs and a .813 OPS in 122 games for the Rays last season. His previous season was nearly identical.

The 29-year-old will not provide the power the Red Sox likely are seeking but his career 17.8% strikeout rate and ability to get on base would resemble what Justin Turner brought to the lineup last season.

Ramírez has two more seasons of team control and might be the cheapest overall option -- in terms of both prospect capital and actual cost -- that could provide a 120 or higher OPS+ next season.

For this move to make any sense, the Red Sox would have to acquire a legitimate frontline starter via trade or free agency. Otherwise, it's not worth trading prospects to upgrade a roster that they are not trying to compete with.

More MLB: Red Sox 'Very Aggressive' For Premier Slugger After Losing Teoscar Hernández Bid

Published Jan 8, 2024

SCOTT NEVILLE

Scott Neville covers the Boston Red Sox for Sports Illustrated's new page "Inside The Red Sox." Before starting "Inside The Red Sox", Neville attended Merrimack College, where he earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Communication and Media with a minor in Marketing. Neville spent all four years with Merrimack's radio station WMCK, where he grew as a radio/podcast host and producer. His propensity for being in front of a microphone eventually expanded to film, where he produced multiple short films alongside his then-roommate and current co-worker Stephen Mottram. On a journey that began as a way to receive easy credits via film classes, he received a call from "It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia" star Charlie Day. Day advised him to make a feature-length film, which he completed his senior year. While writing the film, Neville completed an internship for United Way as part of their NFL Partnership Program. Neville ran the blog for a team of interns and hosted an internet show called "United Way's NFL Partnership Series" where he interviewed NFL alumni. After college Neville wrote for SB Nation's "Over The Monster," a Red Sox sister site of the flagship brand. His work would eventually lead him to a job as a content producer with NESN, where he would cover all sports. After developing as a writer with the top regional network in the world, he was given the opportunity to join the Sports Illustrated Media Group in his current endeavor as the publisher of "Inside The Red Sox." The successful launch and quick rise of "Inside The Red Sox" led to Neville joining the Baseball Essential ownership group, a national baseball site under SIMG. Follow him on Twitter: @ScottNeville46 Email: nevilles@merrimack.edu