The Boston Red Sox are close to finalizing a long-term deal with infielder Hanley Ramirez, according to MLB insider Ken Rosenthal.
Ramirez was one of the top bats available on the free agent market, having hit .283 with 13 home runs, 71 RBIs and an .817 OPS in 128 games with the Dodgers last season. However, the soon-to-be 31-year-old struggled defensively at shortstop last season, committing 16 errors while finishing with the second worst UZR (-10.3) among all shortstops in baseball, according to Fangraphs.
Ramirez could spend time at third base in Boston, but the team is reportedly still interested in signing free agent third baseman Pablo Sandoval.
Ramirez was originally signed by the Red Sox as an amateur free agent in 2000 but appeared in only two games with the franchise before being dealt in a blockbuster trade with the Florida Marlins that brought Josh Beckett and Mike Lowell to Boston.
The Samana, Dominican Republic, native is a three-time all-star and won the National League batting title in 2009.
