Hanley Ramirez Declines Qualifying Offer From Dodgers

In an unsurprising move, Hanley Ramirez officially declined the $15.3 million qualifying offer from the Dodgers on Monday making him a free agent. With the offer rejection, this gives the Dodgers a supplemental draft pick after the first round of the draft should Hanley sign with another ball club.

It was apparent that Hanley Ramirez was going to test the free agent waters after he removed all traces of being associated with the Dodgers on his Twitter account last week.

Hanley can now freely negotiate with any Major League club including the Dodgers. Although a team which signs Ramirez would then forfeit a high draft pick and the slot money accompanying the pick.

Andrew Friedman, the Dodgers’ new President of Baseball Operations, said that the Dodgers have no intention of shifting up and coming shortstop Corey Seager to third base any time soon. With Corey Seager in the wings, it makes signing Hanley Ramirez or any other shortstop to a long-term deal unlikely.

There are several teams reportedly interested in Hanley which could mean a change of position for the 30-year old.

While it looks as though Hanley has played his last game in Blue, it doesn’t necessarily mean he’s gone for sure. The Dodgers can still negotiate with Hanley and bring him back if the two sides reach a deal.  If Hanley signs elsewhere, the Dodgers will need to fill the shortstop position with either an in-house option like Miguel Rojas, Erisbel Arruebarrena, Darwin Barney or Justin Turner, or the Dodgers could also trade for a shortstop. Players like Elvis Andrus or Alexei Ramirez have been rumored to be of interest to the new front office. Free agent Jed Lowrie could also be another option. 

It will be sad to see Hanley go, and there would be no one more upset than my three-year old daughter who absolutely loves “Hammy.” How do you explain free agency to a three-year old?