Jose Reyes to Miami Rumors: Possible Suitors for Hanley Ramirez If Move Is Made

According to some recent rumors, Jose Reyes is said to be on the Marlins radar. The free agent shortstop—considered among the top three superstar free agents and the No. 1 not named Pujols or Fielder—is looking for a new home this offseason and he might not have to look too far.

According to the Mike Francesa radio show in NY, the Marlins have made an offer to Mets free agent Jose Reyes, which is reportedly for six years and worth $90M. 

With the Marlins in serious pursuit of Reyes, what does this mean for their current young and talented shortstop, Hanley Ramirez?

Marlins Manager Ozzie Guillen has already said that he has not ruled out moving Ramirez to a new position, although according to NBC Miami article listed above, Ramirez is adamantly against a position change, saying, "I am the shortstop. I have always been a shortstop." 

Other than moving Ramirez, the Marlins would have the option to trade him. Permitting the Marlins do in fact sign Reyes to be the face of their newly named franchise, Ramirez could have a lot of suitors.

The shortstop has so much talent and potential that the Marlins could be receiving some calls about acquiring him once the ink of Reyes' new contract is dry.

1. Philadelphia Phillies

Just as Reyes may not have to look too far for a new home, the same might be said for Ramirez. If the Marlins sign Reyes and the Phillies do not re-sign Jimmy Rollins, they will be in the market for a shortstop.

Although the Phillies have decimated their farm system over the past few years by acquiring the top talents of Roy Halladay, Cliff Lee and Hunter Pence, they still have some rising stars which could benefit the Marlins as part of their blueprint for the future.

One of these guys is Vance Worley. Worley had a stellar rookie year for the Phillies when he stepped in for Roy Oswalt and it looks like 2012 could be more of the same. Although a few scouts have said his mechanics could be improved, Worley could be the arm the Marlins need.

For Hanley Ramirez, who is guaranteed another $40 million-plus under contract until 2014, the Phillies would have to give more than Worley. It has been rumored that Ruben Amaro, Phillies GM, has put CF Shane Victorino on the trading block and for the Marlins, who are looking for a center fielder, Victorino might be just that player.

He can hit for average, play gold glove defense and would provide speed in what would then be a deadly line-up of Reyes, Victorino and Emilio Bonifacio.

Proposed trade: Phillies offer CF Shane Victorino and SP Vance Worley or RHP Justin DeFratus for SS Hanley Ramirez.

2. New York Mets

If the Marlins are looking for a blockbuster year, the Mets are doing just the opposite. The team who doesn't appear to have the money to re-sign Reyes and who is willing to trade David Wright is clearly in rebuilding mode.

The organization is going through complete overhaul, but bringing in Hanley Ramirez, who will be 28 in 2012, could be a move that keeps a dwindling fan base a little bit alive.

For the Mets it doesn't make much sense to sign Ramirez if it means giving up prospects. The Mets are dependent on their prospects for the future of the franchise to turn around and their GM has already said they are not built to win it all in 2012.

For this reason, trading for Ramirez probably isn't in the Mets plans. It could be, however, in the Marlins plans. For the Marlins, who need a third baseman, trading Ramirez for David Wright could be the move that takes this team from good to contenders.

With Wright on the trading block, it is possible the Mets could offer a trade to get Ramirez and one of the Marlins prospects such as OF Christian Yelich or RHP Jose Fernandez, both needs of the Mets.

Proposed trade: Mets offer 3B David Wright to the Marlins for SS Hanley Ramirez and minor leaguer to be named later upon negotiations between both teams.

3. Houston Astros

Although considered by most to currently be the worst team in baseball, the Astros do in fact have some of the pieces in place to get out of the cellar and work their way back to respectability. One of those needs is at the SS position, if free agent SS Clint Barmes chooses not to re-sign with the team.

One thing the Astros do have is prospects...a lot of them. In fact, their 2012 starting line-up is expected to have at least two or three rookies playing positions at first and in the outfield.

The Astros may not be willing to part with some of their top prospects, but they could swing a deal involving starting pitcher JA Happ and OF Brian Bogesevic. JA Happ could give the Marlins a pretty solid rotation and up-and-coming prospect Bogesevic might be the one the Astros could choose to part with.

He isn't the best prospect but he is solid and could potentially start the season in the outfield for the Marlins, who are in need of players at that position.

Proposed trade: Astros offer SP JA Happ and OF Brian Bogesevic for SS Hanley Ramirez and cash considerations (part of his salary to be paid by Marlins).

4. Milwaukee Brewers

The Marlins are in need of starting pitching if they want to win in 2012 and the Brewers are in need of a shortstop, so trading for Hanley Ramirez makes a lot of sense for both teams.

Unlike some of the other teams I mentioned that might make a play for Ramirez, the Brewers have good starting pitching that they could offer. Although Happ and Worley are starters, the Brewers can offer the Marlins a tested veteran starter and a right hander, which is in the Marlins best interest.

With a crop of young pitchers ready to step into the rotation, the Brewers could potentially be willing to trade starter Shaun Marcum for Hanley Ramirez.

Marcum had a solid year for the Brewers, throwing over 200 innings and going 13-7 in 33 starts. He posted a 3.54 ERA and ranked ninth in the NL in WHIP with a 1.16.

Although the Brewers would not want to part with Marcum, getting Ramirez gives them a better chance at winning. With Prince Fielder likely departing, the Brewers are going to have a huge hole in their line-up.

Ramirez, although not the power hitter Fielder is, could fill that hole by batting fifth and allowing all-star Ryan Braun to step into the clean-up role.

Proposed trade: Brewers offer SP Shawn Marcum for SS Hanley Ramirez

5. San Diego Padres

Although the Padres could use a shortstop like Ramirez to be able to have a starting shortstop who they trusted and to give more depth to that position, there really isn't much the Padres have to offer that the Marlins might want.

Because the Marlins are looking to make a splash in their first season with Miami, they are looking to win now. San Diego is trying to get by with what they have and may not have much to trade regarding major league talents, but they do have some prospects that could get the Marlins to give them Ramirez.

One of these prospects is OF Dan Robertson, a .283 hitter in AA. Robertson is not major league-ready yet, but as an OF he fills a need the Marlins have and gives them a prospect for the future.

Another of the prospects Miami could be interested in is SP Casey Kelly. Kelly is considered by Baseball America and Baseball Prospectus to be the top prospect entering the 2011 season in the Padres system. It might be hard to part with him, but with a comfortable feeling regarding pitchers, the Padres might do it to get a talent like Ramirez.

Proposed trade: Padres offer OF Dan Robertson, SP Casey Kelly and prospect to be named later based on negotiations for SS Hanley Ramirez and cash considerations.

6. The Tampa Bay Rays

The Rays are a team that over the years has featured amazing talent. Unfortunately for them, their small market status has seen them lose most of that talent, including all-stars Carl Crawford and Carlos Pena, to teams that could offer higher salaries and better contracts.

The cornerstone of this team still remains in B.J. Upton and Evan Longoria, but it is unsure how long the Rays will be able to keep them either, as when Longoria hits free agency he will probably be due a substantial payday.

So what is a small market team to do in order to get players? Make trades, of course. Luckily for them, they have trade pieces both in the majors and minors.

B.J. Upton, CF, is one of these pieces. The Rays' need for Upton has lessened and he has already been rumored to be a trade piece if the Rays were ever selling and not buying at the deadline. For this reason, it makes sense if during the offseason they choose to trade him for a similarly talented player in Hanley Ramirez.

Ramirez for Upton doesn't benefit the Rays as much as it would the Marlins, but I'm sure the Rays would at least be willing to consider it.

Proposed trade: Marlins offer SS Hanley Ramirez to Rays for CF B.J. Upton