Red Sox Trade Rumors: Trading for Hanley Ramirez Would Make No Sense for Boston

Ben Cherington and the Boston brass need to make a move before the July 31 trade deadline passes, but they don't need to add to their offense.

The Red Sox need a pitcher, and I'm pretty sure Hanley Ramirez can't remedy that situation. Ramirez is having a hard enough time playing his own position this season.

According to Boston Globe reporter Nick Cafardo, that hasn't stopped Cherington and the rest of Boston's management from listening to what the Miami Marlins have to say Monday evening.

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While the Yankees acquired Ichiro Suzuki Monday and the Tigers traded for Anibal Sanchez and Omar Infante, the Red Sox were still listening to the Marlins on Hanley Ramirez.

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Ramirez would be a nice addition for a team like Oakland or Toronto (both of which are interested according to USA Today reporter Bob Nightengale). Bringing Ramirez back to Beantown doesn't make sense for this team from a talent, or a chemistry, standpoint.

Boston has plenty of offense. Right now they're second in the American League in runs scored (480) and sixth in team batting average (.268). On the other hand, their pitchers rank 23rd in the American League in team ERA and their starters are 24th in quality starts.

It's clear which direction Cherington must take his team in the next seven days. Pitching is imperative to the Red Sox if they want to climb their way out of fifth place in the ultra-competitive AL East.

Ramirez is a fine player. At his best he's perhaps the most potent offensive shortstop in the major leagues, but he doesn't have a defensive position. He's also owed over $30 million between 2013 and 2014 until his contract is up.

That's a lot of money for a player in the middle of his second down year. Ramirez hit just .243 last season, while knocking 10 home runs. He also stole a career-low 20 bases. Ramirez only played in 92 games and went through long stretches of play with a vacant stare in his eye. He just didn't seem to care at times.

This season Ramirez hasn't been much better. He's already matched his 92-game total from a season ago, but he's hitting just .246. His home run total is back up (14 so far), and he's regained some of his speed (14 stolen bases). But Ramirez's poor defense (eight errors in 92 games) leaves a lot to be desired. He was never an outstanding shortstop, but his move to third base has proven to be worse.

Boston has no need for a player like this. They are finally getting healthy, despite David Ortiz's Achilles injury), and their lineup is scoring runs. With Jon Lester floundering in each possible start, they at least need to get him some support while they wait it out. Others may hope that Lester would be sent the other way in a Ramirez deal (and he probably would be), but that would be counterproductive.

He won 15 games and had a 3.47 ERA last season, but that's besides the point. The decline in Ramirez's offensive numbers severely diminish his value, at least it should. He doesn't play focused baseball, and Boston can't risk that a change of scenery will help that. Bobby Valentine seems to have a tough enough time as it is. He doesn't need another "me first" player walking around.

Ramirez's tantalizing blend of size, speed and power make him a tough player to turn down, but he doesn't fit the direction Boston needs to head toward. Cherington would be better off continuing his pursuit of Josh Johnson. We already know he's asked Marlins' general manager Michael Hill about the right-hander.

There are other options out there for the Red Sox. Exploring any of them would be a better idea than acquiring the remaining two contract years of a position-less, down on his luck Ramirez.