Report: Padres getting closer to deal with Ramirez
The San Diego Padres are about to fill one of their most important needs.
San Diego is closing in on signing a shortstop, and it won't be top free agent Ian Desmond, according to sources of Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports.
Sources of Jon Heyman of MLB Network report the Padres are instead focused on Alexei Ramirez, and they're getting close to a deal.
Dennis Lin of the San Diego Union-Tribune reported Wednesday that the search was between Desmond and Ramirez, and general manager A.J. Preller said a deal would come to a head over the next few days.
The 34-year-old Ramirez, who isn't attached to draft-pick compensation after having his team option declined by the Chicago White Sox, had a disappointing 2015 campaign after being named an All-Star the year prior.
His .249/.285/.357 slash line was a career low in all three categories, but he still managed 10 home runs and 62 RBIs in 154 games.
San Diego used Clint Barmes and Alexi Amarista at shortstop last season, and the pair combined to hit .215 with six home runs and 46 RBIs.