Report: Alexei Ramirez, Padres Agree To 1-Year Deal
(CBS) Former White Sox shortstop Alexei Ramirez has agreed to a one-year deal with the Padres, according to CBSSports.com's Jon Heyman.
Ramirez hit .249 with 10 homers, 62 RBIs and .642 OPS in 154 games last season for the White Sox, with whom he spent the first eight years of his career. He's averaged 157 games played over the last six seasons and had his best year in 2014, going to the All-Star Game and winning a Silver Slugger award after hitting .273 with 15 homers and 74 RBIs.
The White Sox declined a $10 million 2016 option on Ramirez on Nov. 4, making him a free agent.
Ramirez figures to get the lion's share of playing time at shortstop for the Padres in the near future. San Diego has highly touted 20-year-old shortstop prospect Javier Guerra in its pipeline, and he figures to take over after Ramirez's one-year deal is up.
As of a few weeks ago, the White Sox -- operating in win-now mode -- hadn't closed the door on bringing back Ramirez, 670 The Score's Bruce Levine reported. As it stands now, second-year pro Tyler Saladino will enter spring training as the starting shortstop, though the White Sox have still reportedly shown interest in free-agent shortstop Ian Desmond.
