After an eight-year run with the Chicago White Sox, veteran Alexei Ramirez signed a one-year, $3 million deal in the offseason to become the San Diego Padres' every-day shortstop. The move does little to help the durable Ramirez's fantasy stock, though.
The power that Ramirez flashed early in his career has largely diminished over the years. He had 40 home runs over his final four years in Chicago after hitting at least 15 in each of the first four (69 total). His average dipped to a career-low .249 last season and his 17 steals were his fewest since 2011. It's not all doom and gloom for Ramirez. He has always produced solid contact at the plate, as he's never had more than 84 strikeouts in a season. Barring injuries or a complete lack of production, he should play every day and bat in the top half of the order for San Diego. But Ramirez only warrants starting consideration in NL-only leagues or the deepest of traditional leagues.