The Tampa Bay Rays officially announced the signing of free-agent catcher Wilson Ramos on Monday. As we reported December 7, Ramos inked a two-year deal, $12.5-million with another $5.75-million in incentives. To make room on the 40-man roster, the Rays designated Justin O’Conner for assignment.
Ramos is recovering from right knee surgery to repair his ACL and two meniscus tears, and initially was not expected to return to action until June or July at the latest. However, Ramos took part in a conference call Monday morning, and said he expects to return by early May, at least as a designated hitter, and then work in behind the plate — putting him about a month ahead of schedule in his rehabilitation.
Ramos also said he was looking to sign with an American League team for that opportunity, since he would be available as a DH before he was ready to catch.
In spite of the injury he incurred on September 26, Ramos put together a stellar season with the Nationals, hitting .307 with 22 home runs, 80 RBI and .850 OPS. He was the top free-agent catcher available on the free-agent market entering the 2016 MLB Winter Meetings.
Rays senior VP Chaim Bloom said, “A healthy Wilson Ramos is one of the best all-around catchers in baseball,” in a team press release that you can read below in its entirety.
…Few players at the position can impact all facets of the game like he can. We’re excited for what Wilson will contribute to both our offense and our pitching staff, and we look forward to getting him back on the field soon.
Ramos, 29, made the National League All-Star Team in 2016, batting .307/.354/.496 (148-for-482) with 22 home runs and 80 RBI in 131 games (122 starts) with the Washington Nationals. Among NL catchers, he ranked first in slugging pct., tied for first in RBI, second in batting avg., second in home runs to Yasmani Grandal (Dodgers) and tied for second in extra-base hits (47). His .307 avg. ranked ninth among all NL qualifiers. He also led the majors with a 3.45 catcher’s ERA and threw out 33.3 pct. (16-of-48) of attempted base stealers, third in the NL. Following the season, he won the NL’s Silver Slugger Award among catchers and received two eighth-place votes for NL Most Valuable Player, tying for 17th in the overall balloting.
Ramos was originally signed by the Minnesota Twins as an amateur free agent in 2004. He made his major league debut with the Twins in 2010 but was traded to the Nationals at the trade deadline that season. Over parts of seven major league seasons, he has hit .269/.313/.430 (574-for-2,136) with 83 home runs and 321 RBI.
According to Marc Topkin (Tampa Bay Times), the incentives in Ramos’ deal include some protection for the Rays, with a $2 million increase in his 2018 base salary (from $8.5 million to $10.5 million) based on starting 55 games at catcher and not going back on the DL due to the knee. There are other incentives for games caught and plate appearances.
To make room on the 40-man roster, the Rays designated longtime, and often-injured, catching prospect Justin O’Conner for assignment. O’Conner was a first-round draft pick for Tampa Bay in 2010, having been considered the top catching prospect in the Rays’ farm system, yet injuries have been an issue. He was limited to 20 minor-league games last season due to a back strain suffered while driving to Spring Training. The team also revealed that O’Conner underwent back surgery twice this off-season, in October and November.
Still O’Conner — who the Rays would be open to re-signing (to a minor-league deal) should he clear waivers — projects as a power hitting back up catcher with an 80-grade throwing arm.
It’s been a battle for him, Bloom said. Obviously it’s not out of the question certainly that he’s going to be able to be active in 2017, but we’re a ways away from that right now.
Noteworthiness
— Per Topkin, by way of the Rays VP of Baseball Operations, Tampa Bay remains “very active” in trade discussions since the winter meetings, though with “no timetable” for any deals. In addition to their starters, the Rays may now get more interest in closer Alex Colome — who would come at a high price — with Kenley Jansen re-signing with the Dodgers.
If the Rays were to deal Colome, Brad Boxberger would likely slot into the closer’s role.
Very unlikely #Rays move Colome unless a major overpay. And they’d have Boxberger to close if they did. https://t.co/ETdBtmT6Qi
— Marc Topkin (@TBTimes_Rays) December 13, 2016
— It would appear that the Seattle Mariners are interested in one of the Rays starting pitchers.
Sources: #Mariners have been in contact with #Rays and #Reds recently in an effort to acquire a starting pitcher. @MLB @MLBNetwork
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) December 13, 2016
The most likely hurlers to be traded are Alex Cobb, Drew Smyly, or Erasmo Ramirez, as Chris Archer or Jake Odorizzi would cost any interested ball club a rather large sum.
— Adam Sanford (DRaysBay) profiled Wilson Ramos. The long, in depth piece is worth the read.