Ramos joins Mets; club designates Edgin
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SEATTLE -- Like many around baseball, AJ Ramos expected the Marlins to trade him prior to Monday's non-waiver Trade Deadline. But he never considered that a team such as the Mets, outside of realistic playoff contention, might acquire him.
"I heard all kinds of names and different teams, but I didn't hear the Mets at all," said Ramos, whom the Mets added to their active roster before Sunday's 9-1 loss to the Mariners, designating left-hander Josh Edgin for assignment. "So when they told me, I had to ask, 'Wait, are you sure?' Then I was like, 'All right, let's go.'"
It didn't take much to convince Ramos of New York's merits. He enjoys the city and has friends who live there. Most of all, he has seen enough of the team to believe it can compete in 2018. That is why the Mets acquired Ramos for two prospects on Friday, looking to fortify their bullpen for next season.
In 40 appearances for the Marlins, Ramos held a 3.63 ERA, which inflated to 3.98 after he gave up two runs in his debut Sunday at Safeco Field. Ramos is under team control for 2018.
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"I can tell from looking across at these guys that they have fun, they're hardworking, this is a good environment," he said. "And then as soon as I walked on the bus this morning, it just reconfirmed that. Everybody was saying hello. Everybody was joking with each other. It's a good place to come into. I've always loved New York, the city. So I'm eager and excited to get started.
"I know that they're not far off from competing in the playoffs. I'm just looking to help that, to add to that."
To make room for Ramos, the Mets -- in a surprise move -- designated Edgin for assignment. Though the left-hander struggled at times this season, allowing a .280 average and .772 OPS to same-sided pitchers, he held a 3.65 ERA overall -- more than two runs lower than that of right-hander Fernando Salas. Edgin also has two more years of team control, but was a non-tender candidate due to the roughly $1 million he could have made through arbitration this winter.
A team official said the move was not a precursor for a trade of Edgin. Industry sources called it likely that another club claims the left-hander off waivers.