According to Joel Sherman of the New York Post on Twitter, the Tampa Bay Rays and C Wilson Ramos are in agreement on a two-year deal, pending a physical.
Jon Heyman of Fan Rag reports that Ramos will receive $12.5 million in guaranteed money, and up to $18.2 million if incentives are hit.
Ramos, 29, tore his ACL at the end of September in the midst of his first all-star campaign, where he hit .307/.354/. 496 with 22 homers and 80 RBIs in 131 games.
It’s unlikely, but the deal could potentially hit a snag due to Ramos’ knees, which will likely lead to the veteran missing the first month or two in a best case scenario.
MLBTradeRumors.com predicted Ramos would land a four-year, $50 million deal with the Houston Astros, but will settle with a shorter, less lucrative deal to rebuild his value before hitting the open market again after the 2018 season.
Had Ramos not torn his ACL, he would have been an appealing name for the Mets, but with Sandy Alderson content on starting the season with in-house options like Travis d’Arnaud and Rene Rivera and the uncertainty of Ramos’ ability to catch in 2017 and even 2018, his landing with an American League team makes sense.
