Players often don’t set out to become trivia answers in games like Immaculate Grid, but Yohan Ramirez has found himself a recurring name for New York Mets fans. Recently, the Pittsburgh Pirates made headlines by reuniting with Ramirez, who previously spent time with the team in 2022 and 2023, pitching 27 and 34.1 innings respectively, both times with a 3.67 ERA.
Ramirez’s journey through the 2024 season was anything but stable. After joining the Mets from the Chicago White Sox in December 2023, he made the Opening Day roster but quickly became part of a whirlwind. Throughout the season, he pitched for four different teams, embodying the role of a baseball vagabond.
Despite his travels, he didn’t see any action in major league games during August or September. His new minor league deal with the Pirates may finally provide him some stability, allowing him to settle in without the constant upheaval of moving teams.
Ramirez’s career has shown resilience through challenges, and while his path may have been unconventional, the Pirates’ decision to bring him back signals that there’s still belief in his potential. His journey through multiple teams highlights the unpredictability of a professional sports career, reminding us that every player has a unique story to tell.
Yohan Ramirez experienced a tumultuous 2024, marked by rapid changes and challenging performances. Acquired by the Mets from the Chicago White Sox in December 2023, he initially made the Opening Day roster but quickly became notable for a failed attempt to bean Rhys Hoskins—a moment that defined his brief stint with the team.
Ramirez’s season took him on a significant journey across the league. He was traded to the Baltimore Orioles for cash on April 11 but returned to the Mets via waivers on May 6. Just two weeks later, on May 20, he was sent to the Los Angeles Dodgers, where he logged 29.1 innings with a 5.52 ERA. His final stop came with a July 28 waiver claim by the Boston Red Sox, which had him crossing back to the East Coast.
Despite some signs of potential, such as a 4.26 FIP indicating possible bad luck, Ramirez struggled throughout the season. His cumulative ERA of 6.20 across four teams and a WHIP of 1.46 paint a clear picture of inconsistency. Notably, he failed to secure a win, finishing the year with an unremarkable 0-5 record.
While his 2024 was challenging, the interest shown by multiple teams suggests that Ramirez still has opportunities ahead. His journey highlights the unpredictable nature of baseball, where perseverance may eventually lead to a turnaround in his career.
David Stearns saw enough in Ramirez to acquire him relatively early in the offseason. Out of minor league options, he bet on Ramirez to pitch well enough out of spring. In retrospect, it remains unbelievable that he made the Mets Opening Day roster over Reed Garrett, Dedniel Nunez, and, to a lesser extent because he was a starter, Jose Butto.
A minor league deal for Ramirez is much more fitting. It’ll at least let him get settled into some sort of an environment. Will we ever see him in the major leagues again? The inability for teams to give up on him in 2024 suggests he very well should get another opportunity.
