The Mets formally introduced Wilson Ramos at Citi Field on Tuesday after signing him to a two-year contract with an option for a third earlier in the week.
Ramos’ gets a guaranteed $19 million and the Mets have a team option at $10 million for the 2021 season.
As the introduction began, Mets GM Brodie Van Wagenen called Ramos a “veteran catcher that can control the running game and command the respect of a pitching staff.”
Brodie went on to add that Ramos’ agent echoed his desire to be a Met, and that he and the rest of the front office were impressed by his off-season training program and his work ethic. He mentioned their pursuit of building a good clubhouse atmosphere with the right types of players, and he believes Ramos fits that mold.
As Ramos began speaking, he said that he has a desire to win, and he feels that “this team can win.”
Ramos said that during the negotiations, the Mets talked more about what he can do defensively and how he can help this rotation, and that offense was not a worry for them because they knew he could hit.
As for his health, he said “I feel 100%. I’ve been working really hard, training really good.” He then added that he “feels really healthy right now” and that he wants to “keep working hard, and just want to be healthy for next season and stay healthy for the full season.”
Ramos will wear number 40 after reaching out to Jason Vargas and asking his permission for his number.
Ramos also had a deal of 2-years, $19 million on the table from the Angels according to Jeff Fletcher of the Southern California News Group, but his desire to stay in the N.L. East and play for the Mets kept him from choosing Los Angeles.
