Ramirez, White Sox seal $32.5 million deal
In Minnie Minoso, the White Sox had the major leagues’ first Cuban-born all-star.
They’ve also been employed several other standout players from Cuba — Jorge Orta, Jose Contreras and Orlando “El Duque” Hernandez, who saved the Sox during their 2005 run to the World Series with a magnificent relief outing at Boston in the American League division series.
On Thursday, the White Sox officially locked up their latest gem from Cuba, 29-year-old shortstop Alexei Ramirez.
As first reported by the Daily Herald on Monday, Ramirez’s contract remains the same this season — he’ll make $2.75 million.
Starting in 2012, Ramirez will play under a four-year, $32.5 million extension that pays $5 million the first season, $7 million in 2013, $9.5 million in ’14 and $10 million in ’15.
The Sox also hold a $10 million option for 2016, which includes a $1 million buyout.
“I’m so happy with where I’m at with the White Sox, what I have done so far and what I’m accomplishing,” Ramirez said on Thursday through an interpreter. “If I’m lucky enough to play for the White Sox my entire career, that’s something I hope to do.”
If he continues to perform like he did last season, Ramirez just might play out his career on the South Side.
In addition to winning his first Silver Slugger award while leading American League shortstops in batting average (.282), home runs (18), slugging percentage (.431) and total bases (252) and ranking second with 70 RBI, Ramirez had a +10.1 UZR/150 defensive rating and should have won the Gold Glove.
“This kid is one of the best shortstops in the game, maybe top three or top four,” White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen said Tuesday on WMVP 1000-AM. “You have the kid in Colorado (Troy Tulowitzki), the kid in Miami (Hanley Ramirez) — they are pretty good players. I think Alexei is right around there. This kid is a great ballplayer.”
Looking noticeably bigger at SoxFest, Ramirez said he’s been concentrating on weight lifting this off-season but hasn’t stepped on the scale. Carrying 175 pounds on his 6-foot-2 frame last year, Ramirez said he’s gotten stronger but is as flexible as ever.
And he is in the right place.
“It really comes down to when I first got here, honestly, I felt like I was at home, like I was in Cuba,” Ramirez said. “It’s obviously a different game here than in Cuba, but when I arrived I felt comfortable.”
Ÿ The White Sox agreed to terms with Lastings Milledge on a minor-league contract Thursday. The 25-year-old outfielder played with the Pirates last season, batting a career-high .277 with 21 doubles, 4 home runs and 34 RBI in 113 games.
The Mets drafted Milledge with the 12th overall pick in 2003, and he’s played for New York (2006-07), Washington (2008-09) and Pittsburgh (2009-10).
Milledge’s best season came in 2008, when he batted .268 with 24 doubles, 14 HR, 61 RBI and 24 stolen bases with the Nationals.