Alexei Ramirez

Rays sign veteran shortstop Alexei Ramirez

The Tampa Bay Rays signed shortstop Alexei Ramirez.

What It Means:

Current Rays' shortstop Matt Duffy is looking at being shutdown because of lingering discomfort in his Achilles. Ramirez will give Tampa some depth at shortstop during the home stretch of the season. After slashing a paltry .240/.275/.330 in 444 plate appearances with the San Diego Padres, Ramirez was released by the club last week. His -2.1 fWAR is the lowest in baseball this season by more than a point.

Ramirez has posted career-worst numbers almost across the board this year, including a .090 ISO and a .261 wOBA. His -19.7 UZR/150 is second-worst among all qualified shortstops this season.