The A’s, Blue Jays and Red Sox are interested in Hanley Ramirez

By Craig CalcaterraJul 24, 2012, 11:37 AM EDT
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This morning we heard that the Marlins are making Hanley Ramirez available. Bob Nightengale reports that he’s in demand:

He’d represent an upgrade for the A’s, no doubt. At least if you don’t think Brandon Inge is gonna carry that team offensively. In Boston and Toronto he’d make more sense as a shortstop.  In all cases, he’s a gamble: will the change of scenery make him what he once was? Or will he be a $31.5 million+ bust?

Video: Starling Marte refuses to take first base after being hit by pitch

Tim Warner/Getty Images
By Bill BaerJul 16, 2019, 9:31 PM EDT
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Pirates outfielder Starling Marte was hit on the hand by a Jack Flaherty pitch in the fourth inning of Tuesday night’s game against the Cardinals. Rather than take first base, Marte — who came to the plate with a runner on first base — insisted to home plate umpire Bruce Dreckman that the ball hit the knob of the bat, not his hand. Marte was allowed to continue his at-bat, though manager Clint Hurdle came out to discuss the ruling with Dreckman. Marte eventually grounded into a fielder’s choice. He then got caught attempting to steal second base and the Pirates scored zero runs in the inning.

According to Baseball Prospectus, a team that has runners on first and second with no outs is expected to score 1.55 runs. Having a runner on first base with one out yields 0.56 expected runs. Marte essentially cost his team a run by rejecting first base. Oops.