Tigers sign two-time All-Star Wilson Ramos to one-year free agent contract

DETROIT -- The Detroit Tigers today announced that the club has signed catcher Wilson Ramos to a one-year Major League contract.

Ramos joins the Tigers after playing the last two seasons with the New York Mets, combining to bat .276/.339/.410 with 25 doubles, 19 home runs and 88 RBI over 186 games. Since 2018, Ramos has been one of the best-hitting catchers in baseball, leading all backstops (min. 450 plate appearances) with a .288 (287x997) batting average, ranking second in hits (287), third in RBI (158), fourth in total bases (438), fifth in extra-base hits (82) and doubles (47), seventh in on-base percentage (.346), eighth in walks (86) and tied for eighth in home runs (34).

“Adding a reliable veteran catcher was one of our priorities this offseason, and we know that Wilson will be a great fit for that role,” said Al Avila, Detroit Tigers Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations and General Manager. “He’s still producing on the field at a high level after 11 years in the big leagues, and we feel his presence in the clubhouse will be a major positive both for our young catchers and pitching staff.”

“I’m excited to join this team during such at exciting time,” said Ramos. “Whether it’s playing in a lineup with Miguel Cabrera or working with a really talented group of young pitchers, this was an opportunity that I was excited to take on. I’m looking forward to getting to work with my coaches and teammates soon, and winning baseball games for the fans in Detroit.”

The native of Valencia, Venezuela has been one of the most reliable backstops in baseball since debuting in 2010, including earning a pair All-Star Game selections (2016 and 2018) and the Silver Slugger Award (2016), while receiving votes for MVP (2016) and Rookie of the Year (2011). Among 116 catchers with at least 500 plate appearances since 2010, he ranks sixth in batting average (.274), eighth in home runs (128), ninth in hits (915) and RBI (514), and 10th in total bases (1,449).

As a corresponding move, infielder Sergio Alcántara has been designated for assignment.