The Rays designated a corner outfielder/designated hitter Harold Ramirez by assignment, according to the group’s announcement. His spot on the 40-man roster will go to a midfielder Taylor’s Wallswho is returned to the injured list for 60 days as he has completed his hip surgery last October.
Ramirez, 29, was a regular for the Rays in 2022-23, especially against left-handed pitching. He appeared in 242 games and in 869 plate appearances posted a solid .306/.348/.432 batting line. Ramirez has more gap power than home run power (43 doubles, triples, 18 homers in that span) but was a solid bat in a limited role. He has played both the corner outfield and first base in the major leagues but is considered a defensive liability at all three positions. The Rays used him primarily as a designated hitter.
This season saw a significant drop in Ramirez’s production, however. His .268 average remains a strong mark, but Ramirez’s free-swinging approach has produced fewer walks than ever (1.8%), resulting in a paltry .284 OBP. He also saw his limited strength being completely eroded. In 169 plate appearances, he has one homer and three doubles. Overall, Ramirez’s .268/.284/.305 slash is about 27% worse than league average production, measured by wRC+.
With Amed Rosario hitting well in the inside/outside role as well Johnny DeLuca offering more value on the defensive end, the Ramirez’s opted to jettison Ramirez to get Walls and his versatile, smooth glove in their lineup. Rosario, DeLuca, Walls and catcher Alex Jackson will round out the Rays bench team for now. Ramirez was outclassed by the 27-year-old DeLuca Richie Palaciosthe Rays acquired him in a trade this winter (DeLuca from the Dodgers in the Tyler Glasnow deal, Palacios from the Cardinals for Andrew Kittredge). Palacios continued to hit .262/.355/.369, and his versatility has allowed the Rays to start the rotation. Yandi Diaz, Jonathan Aranda, Isaac Paredes again Josh Lowe in the DH area.
Ramirez himself was a rumored trade candidate in the winter. Between his dwindling club control (until 2025), the rising price of arbitration ($3.8MM this season) and the extreme defensive limitations, he stood as a trade or non-tender. The Rays generally prefer to acquire this type of player/skill set early in their offseasons and then flip them elsewhere as that price rises. But despite Ramirez’s quality results at the plate in 2022-23, the market has clearly given deep interest in him. Tampa Bay reportedly bought him out before the non-tender deadline and went through spring training again but didn’t get a deal.
More to come.
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