Heliot Ramos proud to join Yankees following SF Giants trade

ARLINGTON, Texas — If Heliot Ramos’ All-Star appearance at this very ballpark two years ago didn’t cement his status as one of the Giants’ biggest recent homegrown success stories, then his second straight Opening Day start this year should have left little doubt.Ramos became the franchise’s first left fielder to do so since Barry Bonds two decades earlier.Just over four months later, Ramos looked at one of the televisions in the visitors’ clubhouse at Globe Life Park and couldn’t believe what he saw along with his name on the screen.“My heart was beating hard,” Ramos said.Just a little while later, hugs were being exchanged and the soon-to-be 27-year-old Puerto Rican had time to process his shocking — if not surprising — trade to the New York Yankees.“If they traded for me, it’s because they want me,” Ramos said.“I’m very proud I’m with the Yankees at the end of the day.

That’s an organization that as a kid, in Puerto Rico, everybody knows about and everybody wants to play for.So I’m happy for this new chapter.”It would have been hard to imagine the Giants moving off Ramos when the season began.

But his defense never fully recovered from a terrible 2025, and his offense never quite reached the heights that made him an All-Star in his first full season as an everyday player.Ramos was 17 years old when the Giants drafted him 19th overall in 2017.Nine years and two presidents of baseball operations later, Buster Posey made him the second former first-round pick traded away this season, joining catcher Patrick Bailey, who was sent to Cleveland in May.He had been their longest-tenured position player.

Now, besides Logan Webb and injured infielder Casey Schmitt, the entire 26-man roster has been turned over since the end of 2023.“Obviously I love the Giants,” he said.“It’s all I know.

I’m very blessed that they … gave me the chance to be a big leaguer, gave me the chance to be who I am today.They’ve seen me grow,...