The Decline of Hanley Ramirez?

     The hottest topic yesterday and still today seems to be the attitude of everyone’s favorite shortstop and fantasy stud, Hanley Ramirez.  For those that live under a rock, don’t watch ESPN, or don’t listen to sports talk radio, here’s the gist of it.  Ramirez fouled a ball off his ankle and hobbled around in obvious pain.  However, he stayed in the game and during the following inning, he failed to catch a bloop into shallow left and accidentally kicked it into the corner of the outfield.  But rather than hustle and chase after the ball, Hanley jogged after it while the Diamondbacks circled the bases and plated 3 runs.  You can catch the video of it right here, but that’s what everyone has their panties in a bunch over.  He was subsequently pulled from the game and everyone from major league announcers to writers to commentators have all chimed in, railing Ramirez for his lackluster effort.  He was benched the next day, but guess what…?  Right back in the lineup today.  I guess we can just say, “That’s just Hanley being Hanley,” right?

     But that’s not really why I’m writing this article today, because let’s face facts — Hanley Ramirez will not be benched for anything longer than a game because he’s far too valuable to the Marlins.  He is, in fact, their best player.  He’ll play regularly and continue to put up those awesome numbers that we’ve all grown to love.  Let’s face it…fantasy owners don’t give a crap if he half-asses it on the field and maybe sits out a game or two as punishment, so long as he produces at the plate for the duration of the season.  If no one cared about Manny Ramirez’ repeatedly disgusting play in the field, why would they care about Hanley’s?  So long as the work at the plate gets done.

     However, where I’m going with this is actually from the fantasy baseball perspective.  Is Hanley Ramirez really as valuable today as he once was, or has he declined enough to no longer warrant that #2 overall status?  Before I go on, let me just say that I don’t think there’s a bigger fan of Hanley than I.  I scouted him in the Red Sox farm system when he played in the Sally League and immediately jumped at the chance to draft him when he debuted at short for the Marlins in 2006.  I own him in my primary keeper league and haven’t let go, despite numerous trade offers.  He’s been an integral part of my championships and money finishes for the last 4 years and continues to do so here in 2010. 

     But part of being a writer and one that offers up sound fantasy baseball advice, it means that I have to stay objective.  I can love Hanley on my own time, but when I’m here, I have to tell it like it is.  And frankly, Hanley, as a fantasy player, has been in somewhat of a decline.  So that I can just refer back, here are his totals since his rookie year back in ’06.

     It’s really hard to argue with some of those results, but as you can see, 2007 was, undoubtedly, his best year as a fantasy player.  His numbers for 2008 and 2009 were nice, especially for a shortstop, but it’s obvious that the move to the 3 hole in the lineup has diminished his value.  The stolen bases are not even close to what we used to get from him and as  a3 hole hitter, he’s looking to hit for more power which affects the batting average.  Suddenly we’ve gone from the .330-30-50 hopeful to the .300-20-20 guy.  It might seem like a silly thing to point out as anybody and everybody in fantasy would kill to have a 20-20 shortstop, but my question is again this:  Is Hanley the no-brainer #2 overall pick in fantasy baseball drafts?  I’m starting to say no.

     Are you better off picking up Ryan Braun, Alex Rodriguez, Chase Utley, Prince Fielder or Miguel Cabrera and then waiting until the next round to grab Troy Tulowitzki, Jimmy Rollins or Derek Jeter?  How about waiting even a few rounds more and picking up Elvis Andrus?  I know that shortstop is pretty thin, but we’re looking at this from a production standpoint and the possibility of grabbing A-Rod and then either Tulo, Rollins or Jeter is pretty damn good.  Maybe if Hanley was still swiping 50 bases or instead knocking 40+ HR, then I’d be inclined to throw this argument right out the window, but the fact remains, that while 20-20 is phenomenal from such a thin position, it can also be found in other areas like second or third, two positions that are relatively thin as well.

     I’m going to have to cut this a little short today due to time constarints, but I’d love to hear some of your feedback and then re-visit this discussion every so often and then again at the end of the year.

     Talk to me people!  What are your thoughts on Hanley as the #2 pick overall in fantasy?  Forget the half-assing it in the field.  I won’t even acknowledge it.  If Manny can just be Manny, then Hanley can just be Hanley.  We’re talking strictly fantasy baseball production.  Let’s hear it!

Tagged as: A-Rod, Alex Rodriguez, Chase Utley, Derek Jeter, elvis andrus, fantasy baseball, Fantasy Baseball Advice, fantasy baseball drafts, fantasy baseball leagues, fantasy baseball perspective, fantasy baseball production, fantasy baseball trades, hanley ramirez, Jimmy Rollins, keeper leagues, Manny Ramirez, Migiel Cabrera, Prince Fielder, ryan braun, Troy Tulowitzki