LOS ANGELES — The Padres requested unconditional release waivers on Alexei Ramirez on Sunday, ending a short tenure for the shortstop.
Ramirez signed a one-year, $4 million deal in January. The Padres had hoped the one-time All-Star would solve their long-running weakness at shortstop, if only for a season. But the 34-year-old continued to decline this season, hitting just .240 with five home runs in 128 games. According to FanGraphs, he ranked last among qualifying position players with minus-2.0 wins above replacement.
Had Ramirez produced at a league-average rate, he still would have become a mismatching part amid the Padres' rebuild.