11:34 PM: And so it begins. Joe Capozzi of the Palm Beach Post hears that Hanley Ramirez is “distraught” over the prospect of changing positions to make room for Jose Reyes.
6:25 PM: We’ve heard plenty of speculation that Hanley Ramirez could force his way out of Miami following the signing of Jose Reyes. It may happen eventually, but the Marlins appear committed to trying to make things work.
According to Danny Knobler of CBSSports.com, Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria said this afternoon that he considers Ramirez “part of the plan, part of the core.” Furthermore, he expressed confidence that Ramirez will be amenable to a move to third base.
“Hanley is a super-professional,” Loria, the Marlins owner, said Monday. “We will work with him, make everything comfortable for him.”
Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com hears that Ramirez has a “strong preference” to remain at shortstop, but that he will handle the matter professionally. And it would behoove him to embrace the move if he wants to be part of a winner. But if he sulks a couple of months from now and forces a trade, the Marlins may end up taking one step forward and one step back.
