White Sox shortstop Alexei Ramirez chases a 3-1 curve in the dirt: Puzzled fans scratch their heads
The White Sox aggressive offseason continued this week as the team announced Wednesday that it has reached an agreement to extend the contract of shortstop Alexei Ramirez. The 5-year extension guarantees the services of the 28 year old infielder for at least another 12 bases on balls, and more than 1,800 head-scratching plate appearances.
White Sox General Manager Kenny Williams spoke to reporters after the deal was announced. In his talk to the press, Williams reiterated that Ramirez’s puzzling approach to the plate and the club’s overarching strategy of relying exclusively on home runs for run production made the extension an imperativeve.
“We’re thrilled to be able to announce today that we’ve reached an agreement with Alexei Ramirez that keeps him on Chicago’s South Side for ar least another 1,800 befuddling at-bats,” said Williams. “Whether it’s his propensity for chasing pitches when he’s ahead in the count, or his reluctance to try to make more contact when a pitcher has two strikes on him, Alexei is an important part of our team’s plan to score runs in an extremely inefficient manner. The truth is, we’re not sure we can finish 3rd in the A.L. Central without him.”
For his part, Ramirez, who most GMs deem wildly overrated due to his paltry .320 career on-base percentage, is happy to extend his tenure with the club that signed him as a free-swinging Cuban prospect.
“Today is a very exciting day for me,” Ramirez said in a conference call with reporters. “I look at the White Sox organization as my home. From swinging through take signs, to trying to pull fastballs on the outer part of the plate, to ignoring what a pitcher gives me to work with, I can’t imagine leaving fans confused anywhere other than right here.”
Growing up outside of Cleveland, Ohio, Chandler formed a youthful and lasting love for sports, politics, comedy and melted cheese (full disclosure). The Chicago Dope is where his four loves often converge. He hopes you think this site is as dope as he does. 
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