Rates & Barrels: A show about Baseball · The Athletic

A José Ramírez Extension & Taking Shots at the Expense of Contact

January 29, 2026·1 hr 7 min·5 clips

Why José Ramírez's low zone contact rate might actually be a secret weapon for his Hall of Fame trajectory.

The hosts discuss José Ramírez's contract extension with the Guardians and analyze the trade-off between power and contact in hitting, focusing on low zone contact hitters like O'Neill Cruz. They also explore potential MLB offseason moves, including trades for Brendan Donovan and signings like Zach Gallen, while debating strategic adjustments for players like Mark Vientos and Walker Buehler.

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