Heliot Ramos, a 26-year-old outfielder, was traded from the San Francisco Giants to the New York Yankees on Monday, marking a significant shift in his career as he pursues his first Major League postseason opportunity. Drafted by the Giants and having spent his entire professional career with them, Ramos expressed mixed emotions about the trade but said he quickly embraced the move, especially given his admiration for the Yankees, a team he grew up watching in Puerto Rico.

Ramos, an All-Star in 2024, arrived in New York with a season total of nine home runs and a .728 OPS. In his debut with the Yankees, he went hitless in four at-bats while playing left field but expressed enthusiasm about contributing to a team currently in playoff contention. “This is an organization that, right now, is on a good run. I just want to contribute. I’m looking forward to winning and playing in October, for sure,” he said.

The Yankees have faced challenges in their outfield due to absences of key players Aaron Judge and Cody Bellinger, creating an opening for Ramos to see regular playing time in the coming weeks. Manager Aaron Boone indicated that Ramos might be tested in right field as well, suggesting a flexible role as the season progresses.

Ramos acknowledged some limitations, particularly in defense, which he described as “decent” but inconsistent. His offensive production has also been split along the lines of handedness; his numbers against right-handed pitchers (.256 batting average, .696 OPS) trail those against left-handers (.292 batting average, .835 OPS). Nonetheless, Ramos brings power potential to the lineup, noting that he had used the hitting challenges in San Francisco’s Oracle Park as motivation to improve, believing that success there could transfer to other venues.

Aware of the high expectations that come with playing for the Yankees, Ramos emphasized his confidence and readiness to contribute. He cited inspirations from his youth, including Yankees legends Jorge Posada and Derek Jeter, and the influence of stories about Bernie Williams from his father. Comparing aspects of his style to Andrew McCutchen, Ramos said he aims to forge his own path with the team during the final weeks of the regular season and any subsequent playoff games.

“I feel like every day I’m gonna go out there and I’m gonna get four hits,” Ramos remarked. “Obviously it’s not that because it’s not like that every day. ... At the end of the day, I’m a pretty confident guy. I’m gonna bring a lot to the table, I think, just with the type of mindset that I have, with the type of game, like, that I have.”