Skip to content

Report: Red Sox, Hanley Ramirez agree to 4-year, $88-million deal with vesting option for 2019

Gary A. Vasquez / USA TODAY Sports

The Boston Red Sox have reached an agreement with shortstop Hanley Ramirez, pending a physical, according to Jon Heyman of CBS Sports

(Related: Red Sox start new era in Boston with Sandoval, Ramirez)

While the deal was initially believed to be in the range of five years and $90 million, Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports reported that the two sides have agreed on a four-year, $88-million contract with a $22-million vesting option for a fifth season. 

It was reported Sunday that the two sides were in advanced conversations, and that a deal could come together quickly.

What position Ramirez will play is yet to be known. Incumbent Xander Bogaerts is expected to be the team's starting shortstop, while Ramirez and his declining defense would be better suited to slide over to third base. However, the Red Sox have reportedly reached an agreement with Pablo Sandoval as well, which could push Ramirez to left field, making Yoenis Cespedes expendable. 

Ramirez, a three-time All-Star, was arguably the best available free-agent position player on the market. Though injuries have plagued him over the past four seasons - he's played in more than 130 games just once over that time - what the right-handed hitting Ramirez brings when healthy is undeniable.  

Year GP HR RBI AVG/OBP/SLG
2014 128 13 71 .283/.369/.448
2013 86 20 57 .345/.402/.638
2012 157 24 92 .257/.322/.437
2011 92 10 45 .243/.333/.379

Ramirez rejected the Los Angeles Dodgers' $15.3-million qualifying offer last month, so the Red Sox will have to forfeit a draft pick. However, because Boston's first-round pick is protected, they will lose their second-round pick instead. 

Originally signed as an amateur free agent by Boston in 2000, Ramirez was packaged in a deal with Anibal Sanchez to the Florida Marlins in 2005 that brought Josh Beckett and Mike Lowell the other way. 

Daily Newsletter

Get the latest trending sports news daily in your inbox