DALLAS -- After reports on Tuesday that Marlins shortstop Hanley Ramirez might ask to be traded rather than move to third base, to accommodate newly signed Jose Reyes, Braves general manager Frank Wren was asked if he had any interest.
The answer was no.
Ramirez will not have any effect on the Braves’ shortstop situation, Wren said. That confirmed what most already assumed: The Braves won't pursue the enigmatic shortstop, benched by then-Marlins manager Fredi Gonzalez in 2010 for not hustling after a ball that rolled into the outfield.
Gonzalez, now the Braves manager, was in Wren’s suite when the GM met with Atlanta writers during the second day of baseball’s Winter Meetings. Many in South Florida believed that Gonzalez’ brief benching of Ramirez helped get the manager fired; Ramirez was a favorite of Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria.
Asked about Ramirez, Gonzalez said he thought the three-time All-Star and 2009 MVP runnerup would do well in the right clubhouse with a good mix of veterans around him.
But the Braves won't be a suitor if the Marlins end up trying to trade him. Wren indicated it had more to do with the Braves’ situation -- they are leaning toward rookie Tyler Pastornicky as their starting shortstop, and want to add a backup shortstop.
The Braves are aiming for more modest moves this offseason, such as a corner outfielder with power and a backup shortstop. If they decide that Pastornicky needs another season or half season of development, they presumably will acquire a veteran to serve as a bridge to Pastornicky, who’ll turn 22 next week and doesn’t have major league experience.
For now, Wren says the Braves are comfortable going to spring training with Pastornicky penciled in for the starting role. They don’t want to make a multi-year commitment to any shortstop.
The Braves are four-deep in shortstop prospects, with Andrelton Simmons, 22, perhaps a year or so behind Pastornicky on the ladder. Many scouts believe Simmons has greater overall potential at the position.
Nick Ahmed and Elmer Reyes are the other shortstops in the lower minors viewed by the Braves as solid prospects. The Braves are so deep at the position they moved 2010 first-round draft pick Matt Lipka from shortstop to center field during the recent Instructional League.
Wren said the Braves aren’t seeking a shortstop who can fill in on an every-day basis if Pastornicky struggles. Among the free agents known to be targeted by Atlanta is Nick Punto, 33, who hit .278 with one homer and a .388 on-base percentage in 166 plate appearances during an injury-plagued season with St. Louis.
Some teams, the Braves included, likely are waiting to see which players are non-tendered by the Monday deadline for contracts offers to arbitration-eligible players.
The Braves could non-tender Braves reliever Peter Moylan, who's recovering from shoulder surgery and will miss the early part of the season, and then try to sign him at a salary below the $2 million-plus he would command through arbitration.
Several teams have expressed interest in Braves pitcher Jair Jurrjens and versatile infielder and outfielder Martin Prado, but word around the Winter Meetings hotel is that the asking prices have been too high.
