So Hanley Ramirez refuses to play third base with the Miami Marlins, and with Jose Reyes as the team's new shortstop, he has no choice. Now he wants to be traded, much to the joy of us baseball rumor junkies. Every team in baseball would love to have a talent like Han-Ram, but what is the right fit? Let's take a look at every team in baseball.
The Orioles have JJ Hardy at shortstop, who hit .269 last season with an OBP of .310 and 30 home runs. He recently signed a three year extension with the O's, so I don't think we can see them trading for him.
This is arguably the best fit of all. The Red Sox were the ones to trade Ramirez to the Marlins, but with Ben Cherington now as the GM, you have to wonder if he will trade for him back. The Red Sox have Marco Scutaro at shortstop, but he can play third base. The only curveball might be the recent signing of Nakajima.
This fit is interesting. Derek Jeter will be in pinstripes for at least two more years, but how long will he be at SS?
The Blue Jays seem to be aggressive in this year's free agent market, and Alex Anthropolus is a creative GM. Yunel Escobar does have a two year deal, but he could move to second base with Kelly Johnson as a free agent.
The Braves could make a move for Ramirez, and they have his former double play partner Dan Uggla. They can afford to DFA someone like Alex Gonzalez, their current shortstop.
If they couldn't sign Jose Reyes or even give him an offer, I have a feeling that this won't be happening.
They are looking to keep Jimmy Rollins, but if not they may be players for Han-Ram. They don't currently have much depth at shortstop, and they can be an aggressive team in the trade market.
They seem happy with Ian Desmond in there, but they may have offered CJ Wilson six years, so who knows how aggressive this team can be?
Unless they want to move Alexi Ramirez to third base, I don't really see this as a match.
Not going to happen with Asdrubal Cabrera, nor do the Indians have the salary to support Ramirez.
This could happen, as Jhonny Peralta has only one more year left on his deal and the Tigers normally have enough money to spend.
No. Next?
This also seems highly unlikely. They like Nishioka at shortstop for this season, and they probably do not have the chips to make this trade a possibility.
As much as Theo Epstein would love it, they are set with Starlin Castro.
This could be a really good fit. They might not be committed to Todd Fraizor, and the Reds certainly have the pieces in their system to pull off a trade.
With a new owner and as a future AL team, the Astros could look to make a splash, I just don't think they have the right pieces.
Any upgrade over Yuinesky Betancourt is a good one, and they could look to make a splash with an improving and exciting team, especially if Prince Fielder is out.
This just seems really unlikely with their payroll.
St.Louis Cardinals
They seem pretty happy with Rafael Furcal, and don't have many pieces other than Shelby Miller anyways.
Anaheim Angels
Certainly a possibility, as the Angels like making splashes and have a hole at shortstop.
I really doubt this.
This might be strange, but I can see this happening. Decent farm system, hole at shortstop, and normally have money to spend.
Likely not with Elvis Andrus.
With John McDonald as their starting shortstop, they may be interested, but do they have the money?
Troy Tulowitzski.
No money right now, not a good time to be going after Han-Ram.
The Padres are not a big splash team.
They could be a sleeper in this, as they always seem to need hitting.
That is every team in baseball. Top candidates to me are Boston, Anaheim, Cincinnati, Atlanta and Detroit. What kind of offers would you make if you were those teams?
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