Chicago White Sox decline option on shortstop Ramirez
In a story I wrote last weekend that offered 10 suggestions to help improve the Chicago White Sox, here is No. 4:
No to Alexei
Give Alexei Ramirez credit for going to the post every day.
The rail-thin shortstop has played at least 154 games in each of the last six seasons at a demanding position.
On the flip side, Ramirez has become an offensive liability and his defense is erratic at best.
Ramirez has a $10 million club option for 2016, but the Sox would be wise to pay the $1 million buyout, open the season with Tyler Saladino at short and transition to top prospect Tim Anderson in June or July.
On Wednesday, the White Sox made the right move, in my opinion. They declined the $10 million option and exercised a $1 million buyout, making the 34-year-old Ramirez a free agent.
Does that mean he is done with the Sox after eight up-and-down seasons?
Not quite.
Ramirez could return on a one-year deal at a reduced price, open the 2016 season as the White Sox' starting shortstop and give way when Anderson is ready.
When will Anderson be ready?
Could be June. July. August or September. Maybe 2017.
Like most talented young players, the timetable on Anderson is difficult to gauge. The Sox' first-round draft pick in 2013 (No. 17 overall), Anderson is coming off a big season at Class AA Birmingham.
The 22-year-old shortstop led the Southern League with 160 hits, 79 runs and 49 stolen bases and ranked third with a .312 batting average and 12 triples.
While Anderson made 25 errors in 110 games, the White Sox are convinced he can play shortstop in the major leagues.
If the Sox believe Anderson needs a full 2016 season at AAA Charlotte, they could try to bring back Ramirez.
They could also plug Saladino in at shortstop as a stopgap. Saladino is a standout defender, but he didn't hit (.225/.267/.335) in 68 games with the White Sox last season.
Ramirez, meanwhile, had a .249/.285/.357 slash line last season while committing 16 errors in 151 games.
An American League all-star in 2014, Ramirez has played eight seasons with the White Sox, batting .273 with 227 doubles, 109 home runs and 542 RBI. Before signing with the White Sox, Ramirez played seven years in his native Cuba.
In another roster adjustment, the White Sox purchased the contract of left-handed relief pitcher Zach Phillips on Wednesday.
Phillips spent the entire 2015 season with Class AAA Charlotte, going 1-1 with a 3.13 ERA and 12 saves.
After pitching with the Orioles in 2011-12 and the Marlins in '13, Phillips signed a minor-league deal with the White Sox last December.
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