Report: Jays showing interest in Ramirez
Posted January 15, 2011 6:55 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
According to a report from ESPN.com, the Toronto Blue Jays are one of five teams interested in free agent slugger Manny Ramirez.
Ramirez has expressed interest throughout the winter in playing in Toronto, where he could be re-acquainted with new Jays manager John Farrell. Ramirez played for Farrell in Boston and is reportedly very fond of his managing style.
According to ESPN.com sources, Ramirez has been working on his hitting in Arizona and is getting in shape to play outfield. The report states that the Tampa Bay Rays, Los Angeles Angels, Minnesota Twins and Texas Rangers all made inquiries to Ramirez agent Scott Boras.
Ramirez hit .298 with nine home runs and 42 RBI last season with the Los Angeles Dodgers and Chicago White Sox. He finished with only 265 at bats due to significant groin and knee injuries.
“I still have a lot of baseball left in me,” Ramirez told ESPNdeportes.com in October. “I think that I can still bat if I keep myself healthy, and it is less probable to have an injury playing as the designated hitter.”
In 18 seasons, Ramirez has a career .313 batting average with 555 home runs and 1,830 RBIs.
