DUNEDIN, FL - FEBRUARY 21: Harold Ramirez #48 of the Toronto Blue Jays poses for a portait during a MLB photo day at Florida Auto Exchange Stadium on February 21, 2017 in Dunedin, Florida. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)

Blue Jays: What training focus should the team adopt this off-season? by Tino Merianos

Former Toronto Blue Jays prospect Harold Ramirez has inked a minor-league pact with the Miami Marlins.

The Blue Jays acquired Harold Ramirez along with Reese McGuire and Francisco Liriano from the Pittsburgh Pirates in exchange for pitcher Drew Hutchison in 2016. Ramirez has had an up and down minor league career thus repeating Double-A for the third time in 2018.

The 24-year old was the Eastern League batting champ last season hitting .320/.365/.471 with 11 home runs and 16 stolen bases in 120 games with the Fisher Cats. Ramirez is also enjoying a successful Venezuelan Winter League campaign where he is currently hitting .366 in 36 games with Caracas.

Ramirez is definitely a worthy low-risk gamble for the Marlins and could benefit from a change of scenery with a new organization.

The Miami Marlins signed outfielder Harold Ramirez, who was part of the Pirates Francisco Liriano trade. Ramirez is still just 24 years old. Won the Eastern League batting title (.320 average) this past season while still with the Blue Jays — John Dreker (@JohnDreker) November 27, 2018

Alvarez Finds Common Ground With Washington

The Washington Nationals also signed former Jays and Marlins hurler Henderson Alvarez to a minor-league deal. Alvarez broke into the league with the Blue Jays in 2011 but was shipped to Miami as part of the 11-player blockbuster trade in 2012 involving Jose Reyes.

The 28-year old sported a respectable 3.23 earned run average in three seasons with the Marlins before spending last season with Philadelphia.

Greene Latches On With The Royals

Sticking with the X-Files theme, prospect Connor Greene latched on with the Kansas City Royals yesterday after receiving his walking papers from the St. Louis Cardinals. Greene was selected by the Jays in the 7th round of the 2013 amateur draft but failed to maximize his full potential in Toronto.

Greene was shipped to the Cardinals in the Randal Grichuk trade last offseason. The fireballer is in all probability better suited for a bullpen role at this stage of his career if he plans on reaching the majors.

Yesterday the Jays substituted reliever Oliver Drake for Mark Leiter Jr as all 30 MLB teams continue to reshuffle their 40-man rosters in preparation of the upcoming Rule 5 Draft.