Brewers: Selloff begins—breaking down the Aramis Ramirez trade
By Phil Watson
Jun 30, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Milwaukee Brewers third baseman Aramis Ramirez (16) hits an RBI single during the eighth inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park. The Brewers defeated the Phillies, 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
The much-anticipated Milwaukee Brewers fire sale began on Thursday when the club traded veteran third baseman Aramis Ramirez and cash considerations to the Pittsburgh Pirates for 23-year-old right-hander Yhonathan Barrios.
Ramirez, 37, is in the final year of the four-year, $46 million contract he signed with the Brewers as a free agent in December 2011 and said in spring training that this would be his final season.
ALSO ON DAIRYLAND EXPRESS: Milwaukee’s Best: The Best Of Braves, Brewers
The cash considerations in the trade is the Brewers sending roughly $2.6 million of Ramirez’s remaining salary—$14 million this season—to the Pirates, according to MLB.com.
This season, Ramirez got off to a slow start—an adjective that could apply to almost the entire roster—and was hitting .247/.295/.430 in 81 games with 18 doubles, 11 home runs and 42 RBI at the time of the trade.
Ramirez was voted into the All-Star Game as a starter in 2014, his lone All-Star appearance as a Brewer, and in parts of four seasons, he hit .284/.342/.473 with 65 homers and 262 RBI.
His first season in Milwaukee was his best. In 2012, Ramirez led the National League with 50 doubles and also smacked 27 home runs while posting 105 RBI and hitting .300/.360/.540.
The move represents a homecoming of sorts for Ramirez, who came up through the Pittsburgh organization after signing as a 16-year-old international free agent from the Dominican Republic in August 1994 and debuted with the Pirates as a 19-year-old in May 1998.
Right-hander David Goforth was recalled from Triple-A Colorado Springs to take Ramirez’s spot on the 25-man roster. The opening on the 40-man roster was not filled immediately.
Next: Why Pittsburgh?