While the Mets and the baseball world await the decision of Yoshinobu Yamamoto, David Stearns continues to remake the Mets roster with low-cost additions.
The Mets announced on Monday that they acquired right-handed pitcher Yohan Ramirez from the White Sox for cash considerations.
Ramirez, 28, was designated for assignment by the White Sox on December 13. He posted a 4.23 ERA in a combined 38 1/3 innings for Chicago and the Pirates in 2023.
Originally signed by Houston as an international free agent in 2016, for a modest $15,000 signing bonus, Ramirez features a sinker that reaches the mid-90s.
Yohan Ramirez, Frisbee Sweeper. 🥏 pic.twitter.com/VWiFFNbn4T
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) September 27, 2023
After being selected by Seattle in the 2019 Rule 5 Draft from Houston, Ramirez commenced his major league career in promising fashion with the Mariners as he posted, in 2020, a 2.61 ERA with 26 strikeouts in 20.2 innings and, in 2021, a 3.90 ERA with 35 strikeouts in 27.2 innings.
But Ramirez was designated for assignment by Seattle in May 2022, following a challenging start to the season (7.56 ERA in 8 1/3 innings) and again by Cleveland on July 3 (4.50 ERA in two innings) before settling in with Pittsburgh (3.67 ERA with 21 strikeouts in 27 innings).
Despite once again posting a 3.67 ERA in 2023 for the Pirates, along with 31 strikeouts in 34 1/3 innings, Ramirez was designated for assignment on September 1.
After joining the White Sox this past September, he posted a 9.00 ERA in four innings.
The Mets hope that Ramirez can, at least, revert to his performance in Pittsburgh, all for a minimal cost. They look to save their high spending for Yamamoto.
