Sports of Boston » Max Ramirez

Rangers Ax Max Ramirez, Red Sox Claim Him

Mike Carlucci — Tue, 04 Jan 2011 20:52:51 +0000

UPDATE: Red Sox claim Max Ramirez off waivers from the Rangers.

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It was not that long ago that many teams envied the Texas Rangers’ catching depth. The catching trio of Jarrod Saltalamacchia, Taylor Teagarden, and Max Ramirez gave the club a crown jewel in its rapidly improving farm system. With all three under team control, the Rangers could deal from a position of strength to fill a need or let their young backstops develop into a cheap supply of major league talent. Between the start of the 2010 season and now, however, things took a turn: Salty was traded to the Red Sox in July and Ramirez was designated for assignment to open up a spot on the 40-man roster for incoming pitchers Brandon Webb and Arthur Rhodes.

What Happened?

It was just over a year ago that trade talks between the Red Sox and Rangers, proposing a swap of Max Ramirez for Mike Lowell, broke down due to health issues surrounding the third baseman. For his part, Ramirez had taken a step back in 2009, hitting just .234/.323/.336/.659 at Triple-A, after a monster campaign in Double-A that saw the catcher put up an OPS north of 1000.

The 2010 edition of Baseball Prospectus noted that Ramirez had shown power in the Venezuelan winter league and that as a “below-average defensive catcher who has to mash to have value,” a strong 2010 was essential. Unfortunately, Ramirez did not return to his old self. In 226 plate appearances for Triple-A Oklahoma City, he compiled a .286/.373/.381/.754 line and in a short sting in the majors, 85 plate appearances, he struggled to the tune of .217/.341/.348.

Red Sox in his Future?

Given the loss of Victor Martinez and the still unproven Saltalamacchia splitting time with Jason Varitek, it is possible the Red Sox will make another attempt to bring Ramirez into the fold. Even if Ramirez is unlikely to develop into a major league catcher, should he rediscover some of his lost power, he could yet find his way into the starting lineup.

Saltalamacchia Could Catch a Break With Boston

Mike Carlucci — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 12:17:51 +0000

When Jarrod Saltalamacchia was traded from the Atlanta Braves to the Texas Rangers in 2007, he and Elvis Andrus were the marquee prospects sent to Texas in return to slugging first baseman Mark Teixeira. Over the past few seasons, many teams have inquired about the Rangers’ plethora of catchers; Saltalamacchia, Taylor Teagarden and Max Ramirez. As recently as spring training Ramirez was the most available and the Red Sox had plans to send the injury riddled Mike Lowell, a player removed from his prime, to acquire the prospect. Saltalamacchia and Teagarden were envisioned as the catching duo to lead the Rangers to the playoffs this year, their own version of the young catchers behind the plate for Anaheim – Mike Napoli and Jeff Mathis. Half a season later, Salty is wearing a PawSox uniform for a small package of prospects.

What’s the Story?

Saltalamacchia’s arrival in Texas, while not the spectacle of the Matt Wieters promotion in Baltimore, was somewhat muted. Salty has found himself losing his starting job, battling injuries and riding the shuttle back and forth between the Ballpark at Arlington and the minor leagues. In parts of four seasons with the Rangers, the switch hitter compiled a .243/.309/.383/.692 line with 19 home runs and 32 doubles over 653 at bats. In contrast, Salty’s minor league line is a much healthier .271/.366/.457/.823 over parts of eight seasons and 1607 at bats. The missing element in his game in the majors has been power as Saltalamacchia hasn’t slugged over .371 since the 2007 season.

Injuries

A shoulder injury in 2009 was as tough on Salty’s health as his .290 on base percentage was to his offense. Going on the disabled list in August 2009 with Thoracic Outlet Syndrome, where a rib is pushing against a nerve and causing trouble in the neck and shoulder, Saltalamacchia missed September. He had surgery in hopes of being ready for the 2010 season. Unfortunately, at the start of the season Saltalamacchia injured his back, hid the injury from the team, and found himself back on the DL. Upon being activated from the disabled list, Salty found himself banished to the Triple A Oklahoma City where he has hit .244/.326/.445/.771 this year with 11 home runs in 238 at bats.

Red Sox

Acquiring a player like Saltalamacchia for a low price was a good move. It wasn’t so long ago that trade talks mentioned Lester or Buchholz, neither of whom the Red Sox wanted to part with, for the catcher. At just 25 years old, Salty still has time to make an impact in the major leagues. He’s worked on his defense and throwing, he’s gotten over some of the injuries, and he could be ready to march towards his next major league stint. At the worst, he’s insurance against losing Victor Martinez.

Mike Lowell Trade to Rangers Called Off

KC Downey — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 02:56:47 +0000

For now, third baseman Mike Lowell will remain with the Red Sox, according to WEEI’s Rob Bradford. Instead of heading to the Rangers in a proposed deal for minor league catcher Max Ramirez, Lowell will instead undergo surgery on his injured right thumb, which will sideline him for 6-8 weeks. Due to the injury, the Rangers and Red Sox will not complete the trade.

Analysis

Lowell’s surgery puts a gigantic monkey wrench into the Sox offseason plans. If the team planned to trade for a power-hitting first baseman like Adrian Gonzalez, Lowell was the likely casualty. Perhaps Ramirez would have been spun in a trade for Gonzalez, but for the moment, that will not happen. Instead, the Red Sox inherit an aging third baseman who can’t field his position anymore (due to his list of ailments).

Also worth mentioning is the possibility that Lowell might be a bit disgruntled. After an injury-plagued campaign in 2008, he was involved trade rumors while the Sox pursued free agent first baseman Mark Teixeira. The Sox failed to get Tex, and Lowell had another injury-plagued season in 2009 (.290, 17 HR, 75 RBI).

Either way, stay tuned. I wonder what Theo and co. have up their sleeve next.

Mike Lowell Traded to Rangers?

George — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 08:40:46 +0000

Red Sox Acquire Catching Prospect Max Ramirez

According to Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports, the Red Sox and Rangers have agreed to a preliminary deal that would send Mike Lowell to the Rangers for catching prospect Max Ramirez, pending a physical. The Red Sox will reportedly eat most of Lowell’s salary in the deal.

Red Sox ownership still has to sign off on the deal and the team’s are awaiting medical reports, but barring any setbacks, Lowell’s career in a Boston Red Sox uniform will be over after four seasons. MLB.com’s T.R. Sullivan also reports that because of the money changing hands, Bud Selig would have to sign off on the deal as well.

In his four years in Boston, Lowell batted .295 with 75 home runs and 348 runs batted in. In 2007, he was selected to the American League All-Star team and, later on, won the World Series MVP award. Injuries plagued him the past two seasons to the point that he was having trouble fielding his position. He is likely to split time between DH and third base for the Rangers.

Max Ramirez is 25 years old and will be the Red Sox top catching prospect ahead of Luis Exposito. Ramirez made his MLB debut on June 22, 2008 with the Rangers and went on to hit .217 with two home runs and 15 strikeouts in 46 at-bats. However, he went on to play in Venezuelan Winter League and in 50 games he batted .298 with 15 home runs, 53 runs batted in and 42 runs scored en route to winning Rookie of the Year honors over Pablo Sandoval.

What does this mean for the Red Sox?

The trade would leave the Red Sox with a major hole at third base, which could eventually be filled by free agents Adrian Beltre or Mark DeRosa. As for Ramirez, it will be interesting to see if the Red Sox have plans to groom him into a future backstop or flipping him in a deal to acquire Blue Jays’ ace Roy Halladay. The Blue Jays have reportedly asked for a top catching prospect and/or top shortstop prospect in return for Halladay.

Stay tuned.