The Dodgers have elected to extend an Qualifying Offer to Hanley Ramirez. (No surprise, eh?)
The Dodgers have extended a qualifying offer to shortstop Hanley Ramirez.
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) November 3, 2014
This means that Hanley has until November 10th to decide to take a 1-year $15.3Mil contract to play for the Dodgers in 2015, or he can become a free agent for the first time in his career. If he decides to stay with the Dodgers (either to boost his potential value the following season or because he really wants to stay in LA), then that immediately solves any issues the team has with filling the short stop position next year. If Hanley chooses the later, then the Dodgers will receive a compensation draft pick for the 2015 draft should he sign elsewhere. They would also have to fill the vacancy at short stop.
I am certain that he'll decline the Qualifying Offer since he should be able to find a more lucrative multi-year contract with another club. Besides, as Jon Weisman noted earlier today, every player given a Qualifying Offer since this process began a couple of years ago has declined. So why buck that trend?
On the other hand, I believe his professed love of Los Angeles is genuine, so maybe... just maybe he takes it. BTW, the Dodgers and Hanley could still negotiate a contract. I just don't think the team is willing to provide the kind of long-term commitment Hanley wants. They have plenty of options now; including Arruebarrena and Guerrero, while they wait for top-rated prospect Corey Seager to take over the position.
I should note that I do not believe the Dodgers will extend a multi-year contract to any available free agent to play short stop. They are clearly trying to make room for their youngsters, and putting up a roadblock like that runs counter to what you should expect will happen with the Dodgers going forward.
Hanley Ramirez has been a great LA Dodger, and his leaving really sucks. I've enjoyed watching him on and off the field, and I believe his departure will prove to be a big loss for that clubhouse. That being said, times change and I don't think there's any question that this new phase of the Guggenheim ownership will result in a whole new Dodger team.
The pic above was taken the day Hanley first arrived in the Dodger clubhouse after being traded there in late-July 2012, via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2012. He looked so young, didn't he?
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In another unsurprising move, Brian Wilson has decided to exercise his player option for the 2015 season.
Right-handed pitcher Brian Wilson exercised his option to return to the Dodgers for 2015.
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) November 3, 2014
Brian Wilson has one year remaining on his contract and it's at $9.5Mil. After a fantastic month and a half as a Dodger in 2013, Wilson's 2014 was sorely disappointing. He appeared in 61 games with a 4.66 ERA, and recorded a 4.29 FIP. Having displayed a glaring loss in velocity to his fastball, he was largely ineffective and mistrusted in relief.
Hopefully, he can do better in 2015. It'll be just under three years since his Tommy John surgery in early 2012, so if his arm is indeed fine then the timing is good for him have a big rebound year.
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Scott Elbert is now a free agent.
Left-handed pitcher Scott Elbert has elected to become a free agent and has been removed from the Dodger roster.
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) November 3, 2014
The Dodgers had outrighted Elbert for the purposes of reassigning him to the minor leagues. As is a players option, Scott opted to become a free agent instead.
This is a bit surprising. Scott had Tommy John Surgery in June 2013 and only just recently got back on the field to pitch. He was effective, though, so that likely drives his belief that a better Major League option exist for him.
In seven appearances at the tail-end of the 2014 season he gave up just four hits and one earned run. He also pitched in the playoffs against the Cardinals, but got shelled. Scott Elbert gave up the eventual game winning home run to Kolten Wong in Game 3 of that series.
Scott Elbert was the Dodgers 1st round draft pick in the 2004 draft and was considered, at one time, to be one of the best prospects in the Majors. Unfortunately, arm problems cropped up in 2008 and various other arm issues continued to hamper his development from then on out.
The pic above of Elbert is via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2012.
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| (pic via @MLB on twitter) |
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