All too often we hear about people we know that are "changed" individuals and often times we don't believe it. We can't believe it, because sometimes it's just human nature to doubt. That's not the case with the Boston Red Sox and Hanley Ramirez.
After signing a four-year, $88 million contract with the team last offseason, Ramirez was a nightmare for the Sox in a multitude of ways during the 2015 season. His defense in left field was among the worst in baseball, he batted just .249 with a .717 OPS and he was limited to 105 games because of injuries.
But this time around in spring training it's been said Ramirez is motivated to play first base, which will seemingly be his new position for the 2016 season. He's apparently a changed man in terms of his attitude and effort, which is something the organization is pleased with.
"The Red Sox are completely happy with him, from Dave Dombrowski to John Farrell to the players to coach Brian Butterfield, who is training him to be a first baseman," writes Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe. "Gone are the old stories about Ramirez's disruptive nature with the Marlins, who once thought he was the best player in baseball, but couldn't build around him because he was so unpopular that teammates wanted to fight him."
Ramirez has made some nice plays this spring and a number of sportswriters have praised him for his ability to transition so quickly, and it doesn't hurt that Ramirez is avoiding controversy when he says he's "very excited" about and "enjoying" his move to first base.
Check out some reactions on Twitter:
Good morning! We'll just leave this here... #SoxSpring pic.twitter.com/teeFobpRkE
— Boston Red Sox (@RedSox) March 17, 2016
Hanley Ramirez looked good playing first base in Ft. Myers Wednesday night, digging a throw out of the dirt, diving to cut off a grounder.
— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) March 17, 2016
Hanley Ramirez with yet another encouraging play at first base, diving to his left to stop a hard-hit ground ball and flip to first base.
— Brian MacPherson (@brianmacp) March 17, 2016
Another day, another encouraging play by Hanley Ramirez -- this time cutting off a throw to the plate and throwing out a runner at second.
— Brian MacPherson (@brianmacp) March 16, 2016
John Farrell very encouraged with the play of Hanley Ramirez at 1B.
— Pete Abraham (@PeteAbe) March 16, 2016
Nice play by Hanley Ramirez, who comes off bag to snare high Sandoval throw and applies tag to Refsnyder. #RedSox
— Scott Lauber (@ScottLauber) March 15, 2016
Maybe Ramirez has done some self-reflection. Maybe he's reformed.
Is it a mistake for the Red Sox to believe it and be encouraged by it?
They don't really have much of a choice. Ramirez is owed a lot of money, so they might as well use him in whatever manner possible, especially if he's having a good time and not hurting the team in any way.
