NEWSLETTER
The Cubs have made another addition to the organization today, after trading for Jose Martinez. This one is a reliever, and it’s a straight up signing.
A.J. Ramos joins the Cubs’ 60-man:
Ramos likely to report to alternate site at first but could be up very soon. It's not like the Cubs could scout him up close since season began…. https://t.co/A59jeq8Src
— Jesse Rogers (@JesseRogersESPN) August 30, 2020
.@JesseRogersESPN first on this, but can confirm as well: Cubs signing AJ Ramos to Minor League contract. He'll be reporting to the South Bend site. Had been throwing at Dodgers alternate site, granted release Friday.
— Jordan Bastian (@MLBastian) August 30, 2020
Ramos, 33, was a dominant reliever for the Marlins for four years from 2013-16, but things started to turn southward in in 2017, when he was merely OK. Then the wheels came off with the Mets in 2018:
Ramos wound up sitting out the 2019 season with a shoulder issue before signing a minor league deal with the Dodgers before 2020. He had been at their alternate site, but was released two days ago. A knock on him, or just a reflection of the Dodgers’ loaded roster? The quick turnaround in signing time kinda suggests it was the latter.
What can Ramos be? Great question! He’s not old at this point, but it’s been three years since he was a serviceable reliever in the big leagues, and four years since he was a good one. I expect the Cubs got video on Ramos from the Dodgers’ site and figured there was enough there to take a shot on in a reclamation, back-up-of-a-back-up capacity.
Does this mean the Cubs are back out of the market for another reclamation righty like Pedro Strop?
