Report: Rays, Ramos agree on 2-year deal

The Tampa Bay Rays have reportedly added a big bat to their lineup.

The team agreed to a two-year, $12.5-million contract with catcher/designated hitter Wilson Ramos, according to Joel Sherman of the NY Post. The deal is pending a physical.

The Rays will pay Ramos $4 million in 2017 and $8.5 million in 2018. The deal includes playing time incentives of $5.75 million if the terms are met, according to Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times.

Ramos is coming off a career year with the Washington Nationals, recording 22 home runs and 80 RBIs, while slashing .307/.354/.496. However, he missed the last 31 games of the regular season and all of the postseason after tearing his ACL.

Ramos will miss the start of the 2017 season rehabbing his knee and isn't expected back until June at the earliest. When he makes his return, he's expected to serve as the team's DH but is still anticipated to eventually return to full-time catching duties once his knee is fully healthy, Topkin notes.

The Rays were active in their search for a catcher this offseason, having been linked to free agent Welington Castillo after he was non-tendered by the Arizona Diamondbacks.