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The Washington Nationals had nine eligible players file for arbitration earlier this week. Then they traded one, right-handed reliever Tyler Clippard, last night. This afternoon, the Nats managed to agree to terms with one of the eight left, avoiding the need for an arbitration hearing with 27-year-old Nats' catcher Wilson Ramos.
After an injury shortened +1.7 fWAR season in 2013 in which he put up a .272/.307/.470 line with nine doubles and 16 HRs in 78 games and 303 plate appearances, Ramos avoided arbitration when he signed a 1-year/$2.095M deal for 2014.
Ramos struggled with injuries again last season, however, in a +2.0 fWAR campaign, missing time with a broken hamate bone in his left hand which required surgery after he suffered the break on Opening Day, and another hamstring issue.
After putting up a .267/.299/.399 line in 88 games and 361 plate appearances, over which he hit 12 doubles and 11 home runs, Ramos has, according to CBSSports.com's Jon Heyman, reportedly agreed on a 1-year/$3.55M deal for 2015:
Wilson Ramos settles at $3.55M with nats
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeymanCBS) January 15, 2015
The Nationals announced the deal, though not the salary information, late this afternoon:
The #Nats have agreed to terms C Wilson Ramos, avoiding arbitration for the 2015 season. #HornsUP pic.twitter.com/bfof6sSAfx
— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) January 15, 2015
The Nationals also sent out a press release today announcing that Ramos won the 2014 Tony Conigliaro Award, which is given to, "a major league player who has overcome adversity through the attributes of spirit, determination and courage, that were the trademark," of Conigliari, the late, one-time Boston Red Sox' slugger whose "promising career was tragically cut short when he was hit in the face by a pitch at Fenway Park on August 18, 1967."
While noting the injuries and personal difficulties including the kidnapping ordeal in his home country of Venezuela, that Ramos has overcome early in his career, the release notes that the young backstop, "continues to solidy himself as one of the best young catchers in the National League," and currently, "... owns the second-best catchers' ERA (3.39) among active backstops with at least 300 games behind the plate."
Members of Tony Conigliaro's family will present the award at the Boston Baseball Writers' Association's annual dinner on January 22, 2015.
Congrats to @WRamosC3 on the Boston BBWAA Tony Conigliaro Award! The Buffalo embodies spirit, determination & courage pic.twitter.com/rmflT0Mx6G
— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) January 12, 2015