The Milwaukee Brewers, as expected, have finally begun their trading season. The first trade of July for the Brewers involves third baseman Aramis Ramirez, who has been traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates in exchange for minor league pitcher Yhonathan Barrios. The Brewers will also send cash to Pittsburgh to facilitate this deal ($3 million), as Ramirez is owed a little under $6 million throughout the rest of the season.
Ramirez, who has already announced his impending retirement at the end of this season, began his career in Pittsburgh in 1998. He played for the Pirates between 1998-2003, where he was dealt in a 2003 trade deadline deal to the Chicago Cubs. Ramirez has played every one of his 18 MLB seasons in the National League Central Division.
Ramirez signed with the Brewers before the 2012 season. 2012 was the first season for the Brewers without Prince Fielder, so Ramirez promptly filled the cleanup spot in the Brewers lineup. His best season with the Brewers came that year, when he hit .300 with 27 home runs, 105 RBI, 9 stolen bases, and an MLB-leading 50 doubles. This season, Ramirez got off to a slow start, but his numbers have started to rise over the last several years. In 81 games this season, he is hitting .247 with 11 home runs and 42 RBI. He will fill a major void on the left side of the Pirates’ infield, which has lost both starting third baseman Josh Harrison and starting shortstop Jordy Mercer for many more weeks due to injury.
Barrios, 23, will be assigned to the Brewers Double-A affiliate. He began his professional baseball career as an infielder, but converted to pitcher during the 2013 season. All of his pitching experience comes out of the bullpen, and he has closing experience over the past several years. This season, Barrios has split time between Double-A Altoona and Triple-A Indianapolis. In 20 games in Altoona, Barrios compiled a 1.46 ERA to go along with 10 saves.
Reliever David Goforth was recalled from Triple A Colorado Springs to replace Ramirez on the roster. Infielder Hernan Perez, who has been swinging a hot bat since being claimed off waivers from Detroit, figures to get the bulk of the playing time moving forward at third base. Hector Gomez may see some time there as well, in addition to Jason Rogers and Matt Dominguez, who are currently in Triple A.
Sources
http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?id=barrio001jon
http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/r/ramirar01.shtml
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