My, Oh My, KW Has Been Busy: The Alexei Ramirez Signing
February 12th, 2008 Posted in Alexei Ramirez, Jeeves, Kenny Williams, White SoxThe Transaction: On December 21 the Sox reached terms with Cuban IF/OF Alexei Ramirez. The signing was made official on January 22.
The Circumstances: Much like the Swisher trade, this one came out of left field. It was well known that Ramirez had gained Dominican citizenship, which meant he would be free to sign with a team in the Bigs, but few if any thought he would sign with the Sox.
Thoughts at the Time: Unfortunately, I still don’t know what to make of this signing. I like the contract, 4-years for $4.75 million total. At the same time, though, the contract worries me; is it that low because nobody else had interest? Is it so low because he’s a marginal prospect at best? On the other hand, the Sox got Iguchi and Shingo for cheap. We won’t know that until we see him in action, which will be at AAA at least to start the season.
What we do know about him (or at least what we think we know) is that he’s 26 (grain of salt) and he was the Cuban League’s best hitter last season. I lifted these stats from The Cheat, who did the leg work and totalled up his career stats in the Cuban League:
| PA | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | CS | BB | SO | BA | OBP | SLG | TB | SH | SF | IBB |
| 2820 | 2478 | 455 | 827 | 134 | 26 | 90 | 397 | 44 | 32 | 267 | 281 | .334 | ~.396 | .518 | 1283 | 17 | 16 | 44(?) |
The numbers look pretty nice, especially for a 90-game season, but it’s impossible to say what these numbers translate to in terms of Major League production. I’ve heard the Cuban Leagues compared to everything from short season A ball to a strong AA. Like I said, we’ll have to base our judgments on how he does in the minors. There’s no point getting too worked up or too dismayed about him just yet.
An interesting point to debate, though, is where he’ll play on the diamond. He played primarily at 2B this past season, he played exclusively in the outfield during the WBC, and his stated preferred position is SS. He could be a super-utility guy like Pablo but with an actual ability of fielding the ball. If he wants playing time, his best bet at this point is 2B since Richar is not firmly entrenched there.
Thoughts Now: Here are some thoughts by the Scouting Book. They seem optimistic, but we’ll have to come up with a much better name than X-Ram, because that’s just awful.
3 Responses to “My, Oh My, KW Has Been Busy: The Alexei Ramirez Signing”
By Criminal Appeal on Feb 13, 2008
This really is a bit of a mystery. Joe Sheehan at BP named Ramirez as a number of Sox players who could be six win players or replacement level players, and there’s no real way to know. I’ve got to say, however, with Pablo Ozuna demonstrating he still can’t hit with his winter ball performance (posting a .162 EQA), that Ramirez offers, at least, a chance to improve the utility man position. Seriously, Richar, Uribe, Ramirez, Owens and maybe former 1st round pick Miguel Negron gives the Sox a veritable plethora of utility guys and speedy 4th outfielders. The fact that two of them may instead be every day starters is problematic, but they’re all useful.
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By Jeeves on Feb 14, 2008
The bench will definitely have some options, especially when it comes to the infield. I’m not ready to right off Richar as a utility guy yet, but it is quite possible. This year is probably make or break for him, depending on how long of a leash he’s given by Ozzie. I do hate, though, how much money is being wasted on the bench. I realize that the money wouldn’t have been used elsewhere, but Uribe and Ozuna are vastly overpaid in general, let alone for bench players.
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