Opportunity knocked. Hanley Ramirez answered.
Ramirez signed a four-year, $88 million contract with the Boston Red Sox this offseason despite being an imperfect roster fit. The longtime infielder wanted to take advantage of his free agency and reunite with his original organization, even if it meant diving into uncharted waters by way of a position change.
“They were on the same page,” Ramirez told The Boston Globe’s Peter Abraham last week in Fort Myers. “I was grinding to get back here and play in front of the fans that saw me grow up but didn’t have a chance to see me play in the big leagues. Anything it takes to go back to Boston.”
Ramirez reached out to the Red Sox in free agency about a potential reunion — not the other way around — and Boston was interested despite being committed to shortstop Xander Bogaerts and aggressively pursuing third baseman Pablo Sandoval, who eventually signed a five-year, $95 million contract with the club. The logic was simple: Ramirez is a rare offensive talent worth adding whether or not a clear need exists.
Of course, there still are questions. Not only is Ramirez currently learning the outfield for the first time, creating some defensive unpredictability. But he also has battled injuries in recent years, meaning the Red Sox are banking on the 31-year-old not being damaged goods in his return home.
“I feel better and I feel stronger,” said Ramirez, who failed to top 128 games in three of the previous four seasons. “My body feels different.”
Ramirez already has been working out at the Red Sox’s spring training complex. He has drawn positive reviews from the coaching staff, according to Abraham, as it’s clear the three-time All-Star is looking to become a leader despite any past character concerns. Ramirez sounds like someone who’s truly happy with how everything has turned out this offseason.
“At the end, it’s going to pay off,” Ramirez told Abraham of arriving early at spring training. “We’ve just to keep working every day and get here early. We’re doing a pretty good job. I belong here. I’m happy to be here.”
Thumbnail photo via Twitter/@mattpep15
