Atlanta Braves Acquire RH Reliever Jose Ramirez from Seattle

Sep 8, 2015; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Mariners pitcher Jose Ramirez (31) throws against the Texas Rangers during the sixth inning at Safeco Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

Atlanta Braves Trade PTBNL for Mariners’ Jose Ramirez

It’s not a glamorous trade by any means, but the Braves are continuing to give themselves options in the bullpen.  Today it is Jose Ramirez – who may have been available more out of necessity from Seattle, as they just opened up a 40-man roster slot in the process.

Ramirez will be 26 in January and had been a Yankee until until 2015.  He came over to the West Coast as part of the Dustin Ackley trade made on July 30.

Ramirez is a 6’3″/190 fireballer who has a plus-plus changeup to go with 100-mph heat… if he knows where it’s going.  As with many prospect pitchers, he started as a starter, and converted to relief after the 2014 season.  He has had persistent injury issues, but oddly, it has been an oblique problem that has kept him on the sidelines – nothing related to his arm.  Kiley McDaniel (Braves’ employee) noted much of this in his evaluation last January.  For those who’d like to see him directly, here’s some video as well.

Ramirez does have swing-and-miss stuff:  he K’d 10-11 batters per nine innings at the AA-AAA levels, but so far has been lit up in small samples at the major league level.  Stop me if you’ve heard this before:  walks are an issue.  If Ramirez can harness his stuff, he could be very good – like better than Arodys Vizcaino, perhaps.  But, he hasn’t been below 3 BB/9 rates since High-A ball in 2012.

Roster Considerations, Options

Ramirez was on Seattle’s 40-man, and is now moving to the Braves’ roster (which will be at 39 once Gordon Beckham gets through his physical).

MLB Trade Rumors notes that Ramirez no longer has minor league options available.  Baseball Prospectus seems to agree (via @David11Lee).  Though he only saw the majors in two seasons, his contract was purchased (i.e., he was placed on the 40-man roster of the Yankees) in November of 2012.  That means his options were used up in 2013-14-15.

As a result, he either makes the Opening Day roster and sticks, or must be exposed to waivers to designate him for the minors.  Regardless, it’s a low-risk, practically no-cost move for Atlanta.  No harm done even if he’s ultimately released.

Next: Don't Forget: Stop and Smell the Flowers Along the Way

There were some thoughts noted on twitter that this trade could mean the end of any pursuit of Darren O’Day.  While I still think the Braves are a longshot for this signing regardless, I also do not believe it will have any impact one way or another.  This signing of Ramirez is more about his potential, but if Atlanta happens to get O’Day, then Ramirez… or somebody will be bumped.