PEORIA, Ariz. -- For seven years, Alexei Ramirez was one of the most reliable shortstops in baseball -- a force at the plate by his position's standards and a consistent performer who never seemed to fall into prolonged slumps.
Then, in the first half of 2015, he wasn't that player anymore. Ramirez hit .224/.249/.292 before the All-Star break last season -- a dreadful start to a contract year. His second-half numbers (.277/.325/.432) were essentially on par with the rest of his career, but his poor start scared off more than a few potential suitors in free agency.