MLB Free Agents 2014 Rumors: Los Angeles Dodgers, Hanley Ramirez Not Close to New Deal
Hanley Ramirez may not get a contract extension anytime soon, as reports indicated that the Los Angeles Dodgers cancelled extension talks until after the current season.
Dodgers president Stan Kasten told the L.A Times that signing a new deal at this point of the season is highly unlikely, considering the fact that Ramirez is still on the disabled list.
Ramirez, who is batting .277 this season with 12 home runs and 58 RBIs, is out because of an oblique strain, but Kasten said that the shortstop will still have opportunities to make an impact later this season.
"We love Hanley," Kasten said. "There is still lots of time this season for him to make a big impact in September, and hopefully in October."
Ramirez and his camp has been lobbying for a new contract before he hits free agency in the offseason, but the Dodgers appear unready to commit to a long-term deal with the 30-year-old.
Kasten added that both camps mutually agreed to cancel talks until the end of the season, which, he said, is the most logical thing to do since Ramirez has been struggling with injuries.
"Both sides have agreed we'll sit down and talk at the end of the season and decide. We both decided that makes the most sense. As difficult a season as he's had physically, there is still lots of time for him to have an enormous impact for us," Kasten said.
Adam Katz, Ramirez's agent, declined to comment about Kasten's statement, while Ramirez dodged interviews about his future in Los Angeles.
Ramirez asked for a multi-year extension worth more than $100 million last offseason, but the Dodgers did not budge with reports saying that the Dominican Republic native's injury history is making Los Angeles think twice about keeping the 10-year veteran.
But despite being hit by thumb, calf, shoulder and oblique injuries this season, one MLB insider told the LA Times that Ramirez will still be one of the most coveted players if he becomes a free agent.
"He'd be one of the best bats in the market, if not the best," said the MLB insider, who also mentioned Melky Cabrera, Nelson Cruz, Victor Martinez, Chase Headley and Pablo Sandoval.
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