Shortstop Alexei Ramirez has spent his entire career with the Chicago White Sox, but that may soon change, as the team declined to pick up his contract option Wednesday.
According to the team’s official Twitter account, it instead opted to exercise a $1 million buyout, thus making the Cuban veteran a free agent.
Per Colleen Kane of the Chicago Tribune, it would have cost the White Sox $10 million to pick up the option and retain the 34-year-old star for 2016.
Ramirez has long been the subject of trade rumors, and while it seemed as though the Sox might move him during the 2015 season with his contract set to expire, they decided to hang on to him.
That suggested they had plans to pick up his option, but they ultimately went in another direction. While Ramirez could still re-sign with Chicago, it appears as though the White Sox are on the verge of letting him walk with nothing coming back in return.
Although Ramirez has been a solid contributor for the White Sox over the years, the organization’s decision-makers may have been influenced by his inconsistent 2015 season, as he hit a career-worst .249 with 10 home runs and 62 RBI after making the All-Star Game in 2014.
Ramirez almost didn’t make it to 2015 as a member of Chicago’s roster, as there were rumblings regarding an offseason trade. Had one occurred, the former All-Star shortstop claimed he was ready to pack his bags, per White Sox broadcaster Hector Molina (via MLB.com’s Scott Merkin).
“It was OK for me. I was motivated because there were four to five teams interested in me. I was getting ready and prepared for what was coming. But it doesn’t bother me—something that’s out of my control. It’s part of the business, but I was ready for it.”
The White Sox held on to Ramirez for the time being, but they may have simply delayed the inevitable now that his option hasn’t been picked up.
He has been an extremely valuable and versatile player since entering the league both at the plate and in the field. He’s clubbed 15 or more home runs in a season five times, and he has stolen 20 or more bases three times. He also flashed his glove, with a positive defensive runs saved above average number on five occasions, per Baseball-Reference.com.
While Ramirez is approaching his mid-30s, he hadn’t shown many signs of slowing down until this past season. There is risk involved with letting him go, but it makes sense for a White Sox team that needs a youth movement in order to reach the next level.
Ramirez has been vital to Chicago’s success since entering the league in 2008; however, a potential change of scenery may be precisely what he needs in order to get back on track in 2016 and beyond.
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