Sep 1, 2015; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Chicago White Sox shortstop Alexei Ramirez (10) throws the ball to first base for an out in the first inning against the Minnesota Twins at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
The San Diego Padres have agreed on a one-year contract with shortstop Alexei Ramirez, pending a physical.
Ramirez, 34, is coming off a down season in which he batted .249 with 10 homers but still rates as an upgrade for San Diego.
The Padres have used 18 different shortstops since 2009. Alexi Amarista manned the position most of last season and batted .204.
Ramirez spent the previous eight seasons with the Chicago White Sox and was a member of the American League All-Star team in 2014. He has a .273 career average to go with 109 homers.
Ramirez’s best season was in 2008 when he set career bests for average (.290), homers (21) and RBIs (77) while finishing second in AL Rookie of the Year voting behind Tampa Bay’s Evan Longoria.
