As expected, the Los Angeles Dodgers extended free agent shortstop Hanley Ramirez a qualifying offer prior to Monday's deadline.
The defending National League West champions also announced that reliever Brian Wilson has elected to exercise the player option on his contract and remain with the Dodgers for the 2015 season.
Tendering Ramirez the one-year, $15.3 million offer enables the Dodgers to receive draft-pick compensation should the three-time All-Star sign with another team.
As the likely top free agent shortstop available on this offseason's market, Ramirez is almost certain to decline the offer in hopes of securing a multi- year deal.
The 30-year-old is a career .300 hitter and batted .345 with 20 home runs in just 86 games for Los Angeles in 2013. Ramirez's production slipped some this past season, though he still hit a respectable .283 with 13 homers, 71 RBI and 14 stolen bases over 128 games.
Wilson, who saved 36 games or more in four straight seasons for the rival San Francisco Giants from 2008-11, was re-signed by the Dodgers to a one-year contract that included the 2015 option prior to last season. The veteran right-hander will earn $9.5 million next year.
The 32-year-old is coming off a disappointing 2014 campaign in which Wilson posted a 4.66 ERA in 61 appearances.
[SportsNetwork.com]
