The Tampa Bay Rays have made a rather surprising move by designating outfielder Harold Ramirez for assignment amidst his 2024 struggles, the team announced.
As a corresponding move, the Rays have reinstated infielder Taylor Walls from the injured list.
Ramirez had been having a dreadful season, slashing .268/.284/.305 with one home run and 13 RBI over 169 plate appearances. Still, that doesn't make Tampa Bay's decision to part company with him any less surprising.
The 29-year-old previously enjoyed a terrific 2023 campaign, slashing .313/.353/.360 with 12 homers and 68 RBI across 434 trips to the dish. That also came after a breakout 2022 season in which he slashed .300/.343/.404 with six long balls and 58 RBI through 435 plate appearances.
Ramirez initially signed with the Pittsburgh Pirates as an international free agent in 2011 but was later traded to the Toronto Blue Jays in 2016. He then signed as a free agent with the Miami Marlins in November 2018 and made his debut that ensuing season, flashing a respectable .728 OPS with 11 dingers and 50 RBI across 446 trips to the plate.
Ramirez spent two seasons with the Marlins and then one year with the Cleveland Indians before making his way to the Chicago Cubs in November 2021. However, he never actually played a game for the Cubs and was dealt to the Rays in March 2022.
The Rays' problems extend far beyond Harold Ramirez
Ramirez has not been good in 2024, but he is far from Tampa Bay's only issue this season. He is only symptomatic of the club's struggles.
The Rays are just 31-31 and rank 19th in the majors in batting average, 25th in OPS, 23rd in runs scored and are tied for last in home runs. Their pitching has been a major problem, as well, as Tampa Bay is just 24th in ERA.
Taking all of those factors into consideration, it's actually a miracle that the Rays are even .500. As a matter of fact, Baseball Reference has their Pythagorean record at 26-36, which indicates that they have been benefiting from some good luck.
The only Rays player with an OPS of .800 or better is third baseman Isaac Paredes, who comes in at .881. Six of Tampa Bay's regulars (well, five now after the club DFA'd Ramirez) lay claim to an OPS of below .700.
As far as the Rays' pitching staff is concerned, Zack Littell and Ryan Pepiot are the only starters with sub-4 ERAs. Aaron Civale, Tyler Alexander and Taj Bradley all have ERAs over 5.
Tampa Bay is still in the American League playoff picture, as it sits just two games back of the final Wild Card spot. However, based on how the Rays have been playing and what the numbers show, it's hard to imagine them making a serious push for the postseason as the 2024 campaign progresses. There is even talk that the Rays could move outfielder Randy Arozarena at the trade deadline if their malaise continues.
Tampa Bay has made the playoffs five years in a row, including a trip to the World Series during the pandemic-shortened 2020 season. It has also not posted a losing campaign since 2017, when it went 80-82.
We'll see if the Rays have another run in them in the second half of the season, but it's not looking promising.
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