Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Hanley Ramirez to sign with Red Sox on Monday

Posted by TOC Locker on Nov 23, 2014 23:55

It escalated quickly between Hanley Ramirez and the Boston Red Sox. On Sunday, reports of the team pursuing the free agent shortstop circulated through the media. Hours later, it appears that the two sides have reached an agreement.

In a follow-up tweet, Fox Sports’ Ken Rosenthal reported that Ramirez’s contract with Boston is expected to be in the five-year, $90 million range. (Both Christopher Meola and Jake Wesley tweeted earlier that Ramirez to Boston was a done deal, scooping the insiders.) Curiously, that resembles the deal that third baseman Pablo Sandoval has been looking to surpass in offers from the Red Sox and Padres.

Given that Ramirez was viewed as the best hitter on the open market, he signed for less than may have been expected. But maybe $20 million per season was less than what the 31-year-old could expect if he was no longer a viable shortstop? Last season, Ramirez batted .283 with an .817 OPS, 35 doubles, 13 home runs and 14 stolen bases.

The question now becomes where Ramirez plays in Boston. With Xander Bogaerts already on the roster, playing shortstop seems doubtful. Is Ramirez now the Red Sox’s third baseman, with the team moving on from Sandoval? Though reports indicated Boston was targeting both Ramirez and Sandoval.

Could the plan really be to move Ramirez to left field, a position he’s never played as a professional? Playing left field at Fenway could be an adventure. (Or with the shorter distance, might the transition actually be easier, caroms off the Green Monster aside?)

Apparently, we’ll find out the Red Sox’s plans for Ramirez on Monday. Unless where Ramirez plays hasn’t been decided yet. That seems doubtful, however, since a contract likely wouldn’t have been agreed upon with that kind of uncertainty remaining.

UPDATE: Four years, $88 million with a $22 million vesting option for the fifth year.

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