Contrary to prior speculation, the Florida Marlins have not asked shortstop Hanley Ramirez to consider playing another position, reports Joe Capozzi of the Palm Beach Post. Ramirez denied the speculation through Andy Mota, one of his representatives.
The Marlins star is recovering from shoulder surgery he underwent in September, but will be healthy by February, when Spring Training starts. As Capozzi notes, "it’d be a tough call for the Marlins to bring Ramirez back on a surgically-repaired shoulder in a different position."
It doesn't sound as though the Marlins are in a hurry to determine where they want Ramirez to play. Larry Beinfest, the team's president of baseball operations, had this to say in late September:
I think he did a good job at shortstop — that’s where he’s played since he’s come to the big leagues with us — so let’s get him healthy, let’s get him back in the lineup and we’ll go from there.
Ramirez struggled mightily in 2011, batting a career-worst .243, a full 99 points off his National League-leading average of .342 he posted in 2009. Regardless of the position he plays, the Marlins have to hope he returns to form--he's owed $46.5 million over the next three seasons.