The day we knew was drawing near finally came to be. Adrian Beltre has officially left the Boston faithful for the greener (as in money) pastures of Arlington Texas. However, while Beltre was dawning his new digs, the Sox were making some intriguing minor league moves.
Max Ramirez, C/1B, claimed off of waivers from the Rangers
Though Maximiliano Ramirez has spent nine seasons in this minor leagues, he’s still on 26 years old. Signed as an amateur free agent by the Atlanta Braves in 2002, Ramirez has done plenty of hitting over his minor league career. His minor league line of .298/.396/.476 is impressive, but it is also full of ups-and-downs at the higher levels. Ramirez has had some injury problems, most notably to his wrists in 2009, which sapped his power that season, and he is not much of a physical specimen. However, he has shown decent pop in the minors (27.6 AB/HR rate) and good patience at the plate (13.2% walk rate). Defensively, Ramirez is more of a part time catcher, if that. His defense behind the dish and throwing arm have both been described as below-average.
The Sox have had interest in Ramirez in the past, — in a potential deal for Mike Lowell last season — so it is no surprise that they jumped at the chance to claim him from the Rangers.
Ramirez will start the season in the minors, but if healthy could prove to be a very nice back-up plan should the V-Tek/Salty duo falter or fall to injury.
Ramirez has been traded twice in his career, first from the Braves to the Indians for closer Bob Wickman and then from the Indians to the Rangers for centerfielder Kenny Lofton.
Tony Pena Jr, RHP, singed to a minor league deal with an invite to spring training
Remember when Tony Pena Jr. was the starting shortstop for the Royals? He played 327 games in the majors from 2006 to 2009 and put up a career line of .228/.248/.300. Clearly, his bat was not going to hack it (pun intended), but for the most part he was rated as an above average defensive shortstop. Part of that defensive ability was a rocket arm.
Pena’s fastball lives in the low 90’s and he also throws a slider and curve.
Even before he made the decision to transition to pitching, the Royals used him for one inning in 2008 during a 19-4 blowout against the Tigers. You can see the pitch f/x of his 12 pitch outing over at BrooksBaseball.net. In that outing, he struck out Ivan Rodriguez on three pitches.
Once transitioned to a full-time pitcher, Pena had some success right away posting an 8.4 K/9 and 2.9 BB/9 in 19.1 innings in 2009. Last season in the Giants system, Pena found success at double-A, posting a 2.53 ERA with 8 K/9 and 2.9 BB/9, but was hit hard in a promotion to triple-A. At triple-A Fresno, Pena allowed 29 hits and 22 runs in 30 innings while walking 14 and striking out 21.
30 years old in March, Pena hopes to play the role of dark-horse this spring in an attempt to make the Sox newly renovated pen. More likely, he’ll start the season in the minors with a chance to improve upon his triple-A showing from last season. There is enough upside in Pena that he could play a small role with the big club at some point in 2011. The Sox have nothing to lose by giving him a chance.