Debate: Is this the end of Hanley Ramirez?

On Friday, the Boston Red Sox began the process of parting ways with three-time All-Star Hanley Ramirez.

It was a surprising move, as the 34-year-old is on the final year of an $88-million deal, and will take home $22.75 million in this final season even if he fails to land on another roster.

And, while the remaining term as well as Hanley's looming vesting option - which would pay him $22 million in 2019 if he makes 302 more trips to the plate - makes him nearly impossible to trade or even claim, there's a good chance a team will take a chance on the former Rookie of the Year on a new contract once he becomes a free agent in a week's time. After all, Ramirez did have a 30/30 season in 2008 and finish second in MVP voting the following year.

The question is, is it worth it? Or is Hanley done?

Hanley still has something to give

There was a time when Hanley was one of the very best hitters in the majors. From 2006 through 2010, his first five full seasons, he averaged 152 games and hit a total of 124 home runs, 198 doubles, and 24 triples while stealing 196 bases. He swiped 51 bags in back-to-back seasons and occasionally played a serviceable shortstop.

Hanley hasn't aged into the steady hand that may have been prophesied in those early years, but the Red Sox casting him aside speaks to their overall offensive depth more than anything else. Let's not forget how well he began this season. Over his first 25 games, Hanley hit .330 with three home runs and five doubles while drawing 10 walks. He also stole three bases in the opening month, triple his total from last year.

His recent slump, unfortunately, comes at a time when a roster spot is needed for the returning Dustin Pedroia. The Red Sox could afford to cut their losses because of the sheer amount of able-bodied hitters already populating the roster.

That Hanley can still deliver the odd tape-measure blast makes him worthy of almost universal consideration - Jason Wilson.

(Video courtesy: MLB.com)

This is the end for HanRam

Ramirez is a remarkable hitter when he's on, and seems like a genuine clubhouse presence. It's just that he's almost never "on" anymore.

Since the beginning of 2017, Hanley has cost the Red Sox half of one win, according to FanGraphs' metrics. Over the life of his soon-to-be-defunct $88-million deal, Ramirez was worth $9.8 million, and that's entirely thanks to his one good year in 2016 when he suddenly turned things around and hit 28 percent better than the league average by wRC+. On the basis of that year, Hanley will get a chance with another team, but it's clearly an outlier. The fact that he lacks almost any defensive ability certainly doesn't help.

One thing Hanley has shown a particular penchant for is mashing against left-handed pitching, posting an impressive .854 OPS against southpaws in 2018. In all likelihood, his future on a major-league roster is as a platoon hitter, but his days as a regular are ostensibly over. - Michael Bradburn