Free Agent Profile: Horacio Ramirez
-Dexter Sports
7:35PM
It came to no surprise in mid March when the Seattle Mariners released Starting Pitcher Horacio Ramirez. He had been everything short of spectacular and a major bust the trade that sent him to Seattle in which the Braves acquired their current closer; Rafael Soriano. Though Seattle cannot be blamed for pulling the trigger in this deal, considering the situation that Soriano had put them in. It was a deal that was rushed, and for that the Mariners did not grab the starting pitching talent they were hoping for.
So, when it came time to release Ramirez, it wasn't a tough decision. With an off-season that saw the acquisition of Lefty Ace Erik Bedard, the development of the young Felix Hernandez and the signing of innings-eater Carlos Silva, this team's staff staff seemed better without him. Especially when you throw in the fact he was 8-7 with a 7.16 ERA in 98 innings pitched in '07. Okay, so we know he was horrible last season, but why hasn't anyone given this guy a chance?
When compared to John Patterson and Claudio Vargas, two recently released pitchers who have signed elsewhere as depth, Ramirez's numbers match up. Lets compare the numbers:
Claudio Vargas (NYM) 43-38 666.2 IP 4.95 ERA (Career)
John Patterson (TEX) 18-25 454.1 IP 4.28 ERA (Career)
Horacio Ramirez (FA) 38-29 619.1 IP 4.61 ERA (Career)
Looking at these numbers got me thinking, It can't be about performance, possibly it has to do with age. NOPE. All three players are within a year difference in age. I am still stunned to not see a team jump all over this guy. I know it seems pointless to scream out to General Managers the value of someone with a high 4 ERA, but a lot of teams could use the depth in the pen or even in AAA, heaven forbid one of their starters go down to injury. Plus, there could be upside to the deal. Take the 2006 Cardinals. Their smart decision to sign the unproven and to that point horrid Jeff Suppan in 2004, gave them the edge in the playoffs that year. There are always diamonds in the rough, and this diamond sits on the free agent list while the cubic zirconia Barry Zito continues to eat up the Giants Payroll putting up the same numbers as Ramirez has in the past.
With that being said, I can see a couple teams who should give Ramirez a shot. How about the Detroit Tigers? with Dontrelle Willis going down with an injured knee, and no depth at AAA, why not sign this guy? Even if Willis is ok, why not have some depth behind that shaky pitching staff. Another team that shouts out is the Tampa Bay Rays. Their Staff is completely desamated right now. With Matt Garza on the 15 Day and Scott Kazmir just short of a comeback, Ramirez should be brought in, since the Rays won't even give David Price a look. Finally, how about the Kansas City Royals. Wouldn't be nice to have some depth in case Brett Tomko didn't work out? I know that Hideo Nomo might be able to do that, but come on, He is three years removed and lacking the stamina needed to start.
Whoever it is, Someone in baseball should give this guy a look. You never know. Plus, Horacio could be the definition of a team player.
7:35PM
It came to no surprise in mid March when the Seattle Mariners released Starting Pitcher Horacio Ramirez. He had been everything short of spectacular and a major bust the trade that sent him to Seattle in which the Braves acquired their current closer; Rafael Soriano. Though Seattle cannot be blamed for pulling the trigger in this deal, considering the situation that Soriano had put them in. It was a deal that was rushed, and for that the Mariners did not grab the starting pitching talent they were hoping for.
So, when it came time to release Ramirez, it wasn't a tough decision. With an off-season that saw the acquisition of Lefty Ace Erik Bedard, the development of the young Felix Hernandez and the signing of innings-eater Carlos Silva, this team's staff staff seemed better without him. Especially when you throw in the fact he was 8-7 with a 7.16 ERA in 98 innings pitched in '07. Okay, so we know he was horrible last season, but why hasn't anyone given this guy a chance?
When compared to John Patterson and Claudio Vargas, two recently released pitchers who have signed elsewhere as depth, Ramirez's numbers match up. Lets compare the numbers:
Claudio Vargas (NYM) 43-38 666.2 IP 4.95 ERA (Career)
John Patterson (TEX) 18-25 454.1 IP 4.28 ERA (Career)
Horacio Ramirez (FA) 38-29 619.1 IP 4.61 ERA (Career)
Looking at these numbers got me thinking, It can't be about performance, possibly it has to do with age. NOPE. All three players are within a year difference in age. I am still stunned to not see a team jump all over this guy. I know it seems pointless to scream out to General Managers the value of someone with a high 4 ERA, but a lot of teams could use the depth in the pen or even in AAA, heaven forbid one of their starters go down to injury. Plus, there could be upside to the deal. Take the 2006 Cardinals. Their smart decision to sign the unproven and to that point horrid Jeff Suppan in 2004, gave them the edge in the playoffs that year. There are always diamonds in the rough, and this diamond sits on the free agent list while the cubic zirconia Barry Zito continues to eat up the Giants Payroll putting up the same numbers as Ramirez has in the past.
With that being said, I can see a couple teams who should give Ramirez a shot. How about the Detroit Tigers? with Dontrelle Willis going down with an injured knee, and no depth at AAA, why not sign this guy? Even if Willis is ok, why not have some depth behind that shaky pitching staff. Another team that shouts out is the Tampa Bay Rays. Their Staff is completely desamated right now. With Matt Garza on the 15 Day and Scott Kazmir just short of a comeback, Ramirez should be brought in, since the Rays won't even give David Price a look. Finally, how about the Kansas City Royals. Wouldn't be nice to have some depth in case Brett Tomko didn't work out? I know that Hideo Nomo might be able to do that, but come on, He is three years removed and lacking the stamina needed to start.
Whoever it is, Someone in baseball should give this guy a look. You never know. Plus, Horacio could be the definition of a team player.
