Buster Olney of ESPN tweets – Under category of Actions Speak Louder Than Words: Marlins have poked around in the market to get a feel for interest in Hanley Ramirez.
The plot thickens.
Original Post 12/7
A rumor circulated yesterday that Hanley Ramirez asked to be traded and is in an uproar about the idea of moving over to third base in order to make room for new shortstop Jose Reyes.
Joe Capozzi of the Palm Beach Post reports that no trade request has been made by Ramirez, but he is still seething about the move.
Ramirez has not asked to be traded but reiterated to the Marlins his desire to stay at shortstop, a source said Tuesday. “It’s news to me if he has asked to be traded. It is not something we have discussed,’ baseball operations president Larry Beinfest said.
But today, Buster Olney of ESPN wrote:
“Hanley doesn’t want to play third base and the Marlins were informed of that,” the source said. “Rather than ask for a trade, what he has done is to inform (the team) that he does not want to play another position other than shortstop.”
Marlins Manager Ozzie Guillen, has not spoken to Ramirez because he feels the timing is too fresh and thinks Ramirez needs a cooling off period.
“I don’t blame him,” Guillen said. “He has a right to be upset. He’s a human being. He was the shortstop. Meanwhile, I think the guy we are bringing in is going to help him to get better.’
They can sugarcoat this all they want, but Hanley is as temperamental as they come and when he doesn’t get his way – look out – it can lead to a toxic clubhouse and he’ll dog it on the field.
There’s no denying Ramirez is an immensely talented player, but his frequent bouts with moodiness is something the new Miami Marlins need right now.
Regardless of the denials, I can see the Marlins trading Ramirez before Spring Training. My question is should the Mets look into it?
At 27, Ramirez is still a player you build around – a true core player. With a career slash of .306/.380/.506 and a solid blend of power and speed, he’s a complete player and would immediately become by far the best asset in the Mets organization. It might cost Wright…Would you bite?
