photo: Bryan Ramos (Jonathan Dyer/USA TODAY Sports)
MLB’s waiver churn game continued on Friday, February 6 as the St. Louis Cardinals claimed third baseman Bryan Ramos off waivers from the Baltimore Orioles.
The 23-year-old was an Oriole for just five days, as his contract was acquired from the Chicago White Sox on February 1 for cash considerations. Ramos had been designated for assignment by the Pale Hose, with the cash deal likely done because Baltimore feared that Ramos would have been first claimed by another club with higher priority in the waiver process.
Especially given Ramos’ short time with them, the Orioles likely acquired him with the hope they could sneak him though waivers and stash him in Triple-A, reusing the 40-man roster spot on another player.
This general approach across the game, with no minimum time on a roster required, has led to former Cardinals outfielder Michael Siani being claimed off waivers four times in the last three months alone.
Ramos, a Havana, Cuba native, was a July 2nd signing by the White Sox in 2018. After reaching Double-A in 2022, he was selected to the 40-man roster that November to protect him from the Rule 5 draft. He spent all of 2023 at Double-A and also performed in the Arizona Fall League.
To open 2024, Ramos returned to Double-A, and in early May, made the unusual move from there straight to MLB. For the remainder of that season and all of 2025, he toggled back and forth multiple times between Chicago and Triple-A Charlotte.
In the process, Ramos used up all three of his minor league options. This crucial fact limits flexibility of any team that employs him – unless they can get him off their 40-man roster.
With St. Louis, Ramos (at least for now) takes the 40-man spot vacated by the traded Brendan Donovan.
In 169 career games at the Triple-A level, Ramos has slashed .235/.321/.404/.725 with 24 home runs. His K rate is 21.8% and walk rate is just 9.4%.
In the majors, Ramos has had a tough time, with a line of .198/.244/.333/.577 in 119 plate appearances over 36 games with the Pale Hose in 2024 and 2025.
Brian Walton’s take
It is difficult to envision how Ramos could make St. Louis’ roster out of camp, barring significant injuries to others. The club already has on the 40-man roster Nolan Gorman, Thomas Saggese, Cesar Prieto and Jose Fermin plus top prospect JJ Wetherholt, all of whom can play the hot corner.
And with no minor league options remaining, Ramos would have to go back on waivers before having a chance to be reassigned to Memphis.
I don’t see Ramos as a good fit, short or long term, for the Cardinals as they are currently configured.
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