With a new ballpark finally on the horizon, the Florida Marlins are beginning to loosen their purse strings. Shortstop Hanley Ramirez has agreed to the framework of a $70 million, six-year contract to remain with the Marlins, a person familiar with the negotiations said Saturday. Florida’s 2008 payroll of $22 million is by far the smallest in the major leagues.
Ramirez’s contract would average $11.7 million a year. The Marlins’ best-paid player this season is closer Kevin Gregg at $2.5 million.
The 24-year-old Ramirez, who will make $439,000 this season, would be eligible for arbitration after this season. He was the NL Rookie of the Year in 2006 and had a breakout season in 2007, when he hit .332 with 29 home runs, 81 RBIs and 51 stolen bases.
He’s off to a fine start again this year for first-place Florida, hitting .336 with eight homers, 21 RBIs and 13 stolen bases going into Saturday night’s game at Washington.