Hanley Ramirez talking contract extension with Dodgers, per report

The Dodgers and Hanley Ramirez have had preliminary talks on a contract extension, the shortstop told Dionisio Soldevila of ESPN Deportes on Friday.

"We are negotiating something, but going step by step. I still have a year, but want to stay the rest of my career in Los Angeles because they have treated me very well and traded for me when I was down," Ramirez told Soldevila (loosely translated). "I can not talk about money or years, but we are negotiating and something could happen this winter."

He has one more year remaining on his current contract, and is due $16 million in 2014.

Ramirez, who turns 30 on Dec. 23, had one of the most fascinating seasons in Dodgers history in 2013. He hit .345/.402/.638 with 20 home runs and 25 doubles. When healthy Ramirez was arguably the MVP of the National League, but there is a caveat. Ramirez only played 86 games, limited by a dislocated left thumb, a strained left hamstring, a jammed shoulder, and an irritated nerve in his back.

Ramirez also told Soldevila he is still recovering from two broken ribs — suffered by getting hit by a Joe Kelly pitch in Game 1 of the NLCS — and working on a program for his lower back.

Signing Ramirez and Clayton Kershaw to contract extensions appear to be high priorities for the Dodgers this offseason, as both are eligible for free agency after the 2014 season. The team already has eight players — Adrian Gonzalez, Alexander Guerrero, Carl Crawford, Matt Kemp, Andre Ethier, Yasiel Puig, Zack Greinke, Hyun-jin Ryu — signed through at least 2017.