Padres sign Alexei Ramirez to 1-year, $4 million deal

The Padres have agreed to a 1-year deal with free-agent shortstop Alexei Ramirez, according to Jon Heyman of MLB Network. Eno Sarris of Fangraphs reports that the deal will pay $4 million in guaranteed money, and that it includes a mutual option.

San Diego was known to be aggressively pursuing shortstop help all winter, and was reportedly considering Ian Desmond in addition to Ramirez. Ramirez will provide an immediate upgrade over Alexi Amarista, concluding a long search for the Padres at the position. San Diego will likely utilize Ramirez as a bridge option before calling up shortstop prospect Javier Guerra, who may be ready for the 2017 season.

Ramirez has spent his entire career with the White Sox, hitting .273/.310/.399 line with 109 home runs in eight seasons. After an All-Star campaign in 2014, Ramirez struggled to a .249/.285/.357 line in ten homers in 154 games. Chicago held a $10 million option on Ramirez for next season, but declined it in November, making him a free agent.