Every offseason marks the annual clearance sale by the Tampa Bay Rays to continue the wheels of their organization turning. The 2023-24 offseason has been no exception as they have continued to wheel and deal, opening up space for new, younger, and cheaper talent. The latest trade candidate reportedly being shopped is first baseman/ left fielder/ designated hitter Harold Ramírez.

It’s no surprise that Ramírez would be a likely trade candidate. He was projected to earn $4.3 million in arbitration, (the Rays countered with $3.8 million) and has two years of club control remaining. He enters his age-29 season, leaving him in the prime stage of his big-league career. He turned in a solid .313/.353/.460 slash in 2023 with 12 home runs in what was easily the best season of his career thus far.  Ramírez could be a solid addition to any club looking for offensive help, so here are some potential landing spots.

Milwaukee Brewers 

It’s been a quiet offseason for the Brewers as they have made a few trades and some minor signings that don’t shift the club in any particular direction. They are turning over to more homegrown talent position player-wise but first base remains a question mark heading into the 2024 season. The team saw Rowdy Tellez and Carlos Santana man the position among others in 2023 to decent, albeit uninspiring, results. However, Tellez is with the Pittsburgh Pirates now and Santana remains a free agent. The team did acquire Jake Bauers in a trade with the New York Yankees back in November, but he still doesn’t inspire much confidence. Ramírez isn’t the strongest defensively but first base but it’s a clear opportunity to plug him in as either a platoon bat or bulk starter at first base and designated hitter. Ramírez punishes lefties, .323/.363/.453 in his career, so the Brewers could implement some sort of platoon where he splits time with both Bauers at first base and Christian Yelich as the DH. The Brewers also have plenty of capital that could appeal to the Rays that they can then mold into superstar talent.

Washington Nationals

While the Nationals likely aren’t in a position to be making trades and acquiring quality talent, Ramírez would provide a veteran talent that can help lead the team as it continues to rebuild. The Nationals took a chance on free agent Jeimer Candelario last season and reaped the benefits at the trade deadline. Ramírez presents a cost-controlled bat that will provide reliable offense with some limited versatility that is still beneficial. As it stands the team has Joey Meneses slotted in at first base along with Stone Garrett as the leading options for DH. Garrett is slotted in as the top option for left field so there is a scenario where Ramírez takes over the DH spot permanently. While he mashes against lefties, Ramírez has held his own against righties as well with a .275/.314/.404 career slash and 99 wRC+. He isn’t much for power but has plenty of gap power, which could play well for the Nationals and will still throw out a dozen home runs or so. While plenty of teams could benefit from him as a platoon bat, the Nationals could benefit from having him as an everyday player for the next couple of years as they rebuild.

San Francisco Giants

The Giants have had what many would consider several disappointing offseasons. Try as they have, they have continually come up short in the quest to sign top free agents to join their club. This offseason they were able to acquire Jung-Hoo Lee from the KBO to play center field and did make a trade for Robbie Ray with the Mariners, but still the offseason has left the roster relatively untouched for 2024. There are other areas of focus at play, such as finding a regular shortstop,  but Ramírez is the type of bat that could play well in San Francisco. Ramírez is a high-contact bat, an archetype that fits Oracle Park. The Giants aren’t going to hit many home runs, instead relying on an ability to string together hits and drive in runs. Ramírez’s game revolves around making contact. In his career, he has a lower-than-average 17.8% strikeout rate with a below-average 4.4% walk rate. He makes plenty of contact on his swings at the cost of a high amount of ground balls (54.5%). Still, he hits the ball hard consistently and would help in the revolving door at first base, DH, and right field should occasion demand, effectively replacing Mitch Haniger.

Conclusion 

The Rays are going to find a way to make the most of Ramírez one way or another. Whether it be in a Rays uniform or another, he still has plenty of upside for teams in need. Several teams beyond the ones mentioned could find a way to have Ramírez contribute to their team for 2024 and perhaps beyond that.