Jose Reyes vs. Hanley Ramirez: Which SS Would You Build a Franchise Around?

For those of you in the New York Area, Mike Francesa reported on his radio show today that the Florida (soon to be Miami) Marlins have made an offer to free agent shortstop Jose Reyes, who, up until now, has spent his entire career with the New York Mets.  In that time, Reyes has established himself as an absolute beast on the basepaths as well as someone who can work the bat excellently.  Last season, Reyes won the NL Batting Title with a .337 average.

Yet, if this offer is indeed on the table, it puts the Marlins in an interesting position. 

Currently, Hanley Ramirez is penciled in as the starting shortstop and, as evidenced by his performance the past few seasons, he is a much better power hitter than Reyes.  On top of that, he is due $46.5 million over the next three seasons, so trading him could prove to be a chore.

However, let's take a look at how each player could benefit the franchise in the long run, starting with the incumbent Ramirez.  He has been a valuable member of the lineup since becoming a full-timer in 2006, posting a career batting average of .306 with 134 home runs and a remarkable 216 steals.  Yet, last season, he had a really off year and hit just .243 with 10 homers and 45 RBI and was limited to 92 games due to injury.

More importantly, however, Ramirez has developed a reputation for having a bad attitude in recent years.  Let's not forget the infamous ball-kicking and subsequent jogging incident that was highlighted by him ripping his manager and teammates.  Also, over the past couple of years, Ramirez seems to care more about hitting home runs than actually getting on base.

Simply put, I think it's pretty obvious that Ramirez just doesn't want to play in Florida anymore.  I can't necessarily blame him, seeing as how team owner Jeffrey Loria isn't exactly known for his people skills, but the fact remains that he is being paid to be the star of the team as well as a leader, and he has done everything but that.  If anything, he has hampered the team's progress rather than helped it.

This is where Reyes comes in.  He is a fresh face who just wants to win and do anything he can to help his team.  He knows his strengths and when to use each of them, be it smacking a ball over the fence or into the gap or laying down a bunt and beating the throw to first base.

More importantly, let's not forget that Reyes is a switch-hitter and thus twice as dangerous as the righty-hitting Ramirez.

Both men will be 28 at the start of next season, but I think the choice here is obvious once we take the future of the Marlins franchise into consideration.  If the team wants any shot at contending, they will cut ties with Ramirez and bring in a fresh face in Jose Reyes.  He is a better overall player than the 2006 NL Rookie of the Year and his positive attitude is just what a young team like the Marlins needs.

To be absolutely blunt, keeping Ramirez will just further sink the Fish.  It is time to give Han-Ram the axe and have the fans start practicing the "Jose Jose Jose" chants.