Aramis Ramirez Contract (was Carroll-Indications of Opt Out)

[USSoccer]

I simply hope Hendry realizes that keeping Ramirez is just about the only likely way for us to compete next season.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

How reliable has his "reports" been in the past?

 

It actually is a pretty good site. I visit it daily. He doesn't too much of the rumor thing. But again it's just a rumor, although dones't seem like a far fetched one.

 

It's a good site for following Wrigley happenings. His recent transaction rumors haven't panned out. This season it's been 1) a trade for A-Rod, 2) TWalker to the Giants was 'imminent' (the Hillenbrand debacle supposedly kiboshed that at the last moment), and 3) Maddux would not be traded at the deadline. Not sure if I've missed any.

 

So, his sources are pretty much dealing a sombrero for the season. I feel better now saying there's probably not much to this one either.

[Laura]

That's the way it goes with rumors. Sooner or later he'll get one right, though. Hope it's not this one.

[Magnetic Curses]

aram would be stupid not to opt out. and i can't say that i'd be a huge proponent of re-signing him. in fact, our best chance at success next seasons lies with our ability to acquire TWO top of the rotation starting pitchers like zito and schmidt.

 

best case scenario, we let aram go, moore proves to be worthy of replacing some of his offensive production and we snag a low-risk big bat to put in the outfield like edmonds (if he'll come for around 3-4 mil for 1 year), replace pierre with clark and move him to right and find a taker for jacque.

 

clark

theriot

DLee

edmonds

barrett

murton

moore

izturis

 

zambrano

zito

schmidt

hill

prior

 

re-sign wood and try to move dempster, perhaps eating a significant portion of his salary if we have to. this team could compete.

[USSoccer]

aram would be stupid not to opt out. and i can't say that i'd be a huge proponent of re-signing him. in fact, our best chance at success next seasons lies with our ability to acquire TWO top of the rotation starting pitchers like zito and schmidt.

 

best case scenario, we let aram go, moore proves to be worthy of replacing some of his offensive production and we snag a low-risk big bat to put in the outfield like edmonds (if he'll come for around 3-4 mil for 1 year), replace pierre with clark and move him to right and find a taker for jacque.

 

clark

theriot

DLee

edmonds

barrett

murton

moore

izturis

 

zambrano

zito

schmidt

hill

prior

 

re-sign wood and try to move dempster, perhaps eating a significant portion of his salary if we have to. this team could compete.

 

Sully, that's a really bad idea. Realize that Aramis is the best offensive 3B in the NL right now. You don't just let him go and let Scott Moore try and replace him. Additionally, the chances of signing both Zito and Schmidt are next to zero.

 

That's a last place lineup in support of a merly above average pitching staff.

 

Aramis is easily worth as much as Hendry gave Lee, if not more by virtue of his age. The safest avenue to go would be to sign Aramis before he opts out, sign Soriano, play Pie in CF, resign Wade Miller and sign Vicente Padilla.

 

Lee

Soriano

Izturis

Ramirez

Murton

Pie

Jones

Barrett

 

Zambrano

Padilla

Prior

Hill

Mateo/Marshall/Miller/Guzman/Insert arm here.

 

It costs about the same as your roster, but it's much, much more balanced. Instead of an anemic offense and an above average, very expensive pitching staff, you have a fairly potent offense (albeit short on OBP) with an above average pitching staff.

Edited September 30, 2006 by USSoccer

[E.J.]

aram would be stupid not to opt out. and i can't say that i'd be a huge proponent of re-signing him. in fact, our best chance at success next seasons lies with our ability to acquire TWO top of the rotation starting pitchers like zito and schmidt.

 

best case scenario, we let aram go, moore proves to be worthy of replacing some of his offensive production and we snag a low-risk big bat to put in the outfield like edmonds (if he'll come for around 3-4 mil for 1 year), replace pierre with clark and move him to right and find a taker for jacque.

 

clark

theriot

DLee

edmonds

barrett

murton

moore

izturis

 

zambrano

zito

schmidt

hill

prior

 

re-sign wood and try to move dempster, perhaps eating a significant portion of his salary if we have to. this team could compete.

 

Sully, that's a really bad idea. Realize that Aramis is the best offensive 3B in the NL right now. You don't just let him go and let Scott Moore try and replace him. Additionally, the chances of signing both Zito and Schmidt are next to zero.

 

That's a last place lineup in support of a merly above average pitching staff.

 

Aramis is easily worth as much as Hendry gave Lee, if not more by virtue of his age.

 

Agreed. That lineup would probably be worse than this year's lineup, and there's virtually zero chance we sign Zito and Schmidt. If Aramis leaves we really are in trouble. Hendry might as well start building for 2008 and beyond instead of trying to contend next year if Aramis does indeed leave.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

aram would be stupid not to opt out. and i can't say that i'd be a huge proponent of re-signing him. in fact, our best chance at success next seasons lies with our ability to acquire TWO top of the rotation starting pitchers like zito and schmidt.

 

best case scenario, we let aram go, moore proves to be worthy of replacing some of his offensive production and we snag a low-risk big bat to put in the outfield like edmonds (if he'll come for around 3-4 mil for 1 year), replace pierre with clark and move him to right and find a taker for jacque.

 

clark

theriot

DLee

edmonds

barrett

murton

moore

izturis

 

zambrano

zito

schmidt

hill

prior

 

re-sign wood and try to move dempster, perhaps eating a significant portion of his salary if we have to. this team could compete.

 

Sully, that's a really bad idea. Realize that Aramis is the best offensive 3B in the NL right now. You don't just let him go and let Scott Moore try and replace him. Additionally, the chances of signing both Zito and Schmidt are next to zero.

 

That's a last place lineup in support of a merly above average pitching staff.

 

.

 

While I agree it is near an impossibility to sign both Schmidt and Zito, that pitching staff is much better than above average. It likely would be the best pitching staff in baseball.

[Magnetic Curses]

aram would be stupid not to opt out. and i can't say that i'd be a huge proponent of re-signing him. in fact, our best chance at success next seasons lies with our ability to acquire TWO top of the rotation starting pitchers like zito and schmidt.

 

best case scenario, we let aram go, moore proves to be worthy of replacing some of his offensive production and we snag a low-risk big bat to put in the outfield like edmonds (if he'll come for around 3-4 mil for 1 year), replace pierre with clark and move him to right and find a taker for jacque.

 

clark

theriot

DLee

edmonds

barrett

murton

moore

izturis

 

zambrano

zito

schmidt

hill

prior

 

re-sign wood and try to move dempster, perhaps eating a significant portion of his salary if we have to. this team could compete.

 

Sully, that's a really bad idea. Realize that Aramis is the best offensive 3B in the NL right now. You don't just let him go and let Scott Moore try and replace him. Additionally, the chances of signing both Zito and Schmidt are next to zero.

 

That's a last place lineup in support of a merly above average pitching staff.

 

Aramis is easily worth as much as Hendry gave Lee, if not more by virtue of his age. The safest avenue to go would be to sign Aramis before he opts out, sign Soriano, play Pie in CF, resign Wade Miller and sign Vicente Padilla.

 

Lee

Soriano

Izturis

Ramirez

Murton

Pie

Jones

Barrett

 

Zambrano

Padilla

Prior

Hill

Mateo/Marshall/Miller/Guzman/Insert arm here.

 

It costs about the same as your roster, but it's much, much more balanced. Instead of an anemic offense and an above average, very expensive pitching staff, you have a fairly potent offense (albeit short on OBP) with an above average pitching staff.

 

realize that i'm saying that if it means we have the money to sign both schmidt and zito, we let aram walk. pitching is much more important than offense.

 

and i just don't like the staff of the team you've assembled. that's terrible.

 

zito and schmidt would make this staff more than merely above average.

[USSoccer]

 

realize that i'm saying that if it means we have the money to sign both schmidt and zito, we let aram walk. pitching is much more important than offense.

 

and i just don't like the staff of the team you've assembled. that's terrible.

 

zito and schmidt would make this staff more than merely above average.

 

Just because the money's available doesn't mean we'd be able to outbid anyone for either. I have severe doubts about Zito and Schmidt being anything other than overpaid, fairly good pitchers (Schmidt especially). None of their numbers jump out at me and scream #1 starter. They just happen to be the biggest names on the market this winter.

 

I happen to think Prior becomes himself again next season. I think Hill can be just as effective as Zito for about a tenth of the cost. I think Padilla is every bit as good as Schmidt, and will be about half of his cost. Z is Z, and we have plenty of capable 5th starter candidates.

 

Also, if you disagree with my opinion on Zito/Schmidt, why not balance the roster by keeping Aramis and only sign one of Zito/Schmidt? Wouldn't your team be better off having a balance between pitching and offense? Pitching isn't so much more important as to let your best offensive player go to sign 2 guys that aren't in the top 25 at their position.

[NCCubFan]

My feeling is that, since Hendry created this mess and destroyed a team on the verge of the World Championship, Hendry must be held accountable and demanded to turn the team around immediately as a condition for keeping his job regardless of whether Aram re-signs or not. As impossible as it would seem for the Cubs to contend next year without Aram, Hendry needs to be expected to do just that if he wants to keep his job. He created this mess, so he needs to be held responsible for fixing it immediately without expecting fans to suffer through yet another rebuilding program, and if he can't deliver he has to go.

[Guest]

Realize that Aramis is the best offensive 3B in the NL right now.

While I agree that Hendry should do everything in his power to retain Aramis I have to object with this statement. Cabrera is back to playing 3B for the Marlins this season, and he's far and away the best bat at the hot corner. (A position that's extremely well stacked in the NL right now; Cabrera, Ramirez, Wright, Rolen, Zimmerman, Atkins, etc.)

[Jazz]

I think that this is the absolute worst thing that could have happened to the Cubs to begin the offseason. What's even scarier is that even if Hendry does end up resigning him, it might not be immediately after the season, shifting his focus for a period of time on him leaving other FA's to get picked. Here's an optomistic-realistic look at how the offseason could unfold to calm my nerves:

 

1) Baker not resigned

2) Ramirez, and Wood resigned

3) Dempster and Ryan Malone (2B Prospect, Peoria) traded for Emil Brown

4) Pie, Marshall, and Marmol for Andruw Jones, and Tim Hudson

5) Soriano, and Zito signed

 

Theriot

Murton

Lee

Ramirez

A. Jones

J. Jones/Brown

Barrett

Izturis

 

Zambrano

Zito

Hill

Hudson

Prior

[USSoccer]

Realize that Aramis is the best offensive 3B in the NL right now.

While I agree that Hendry should do everything in his power to retain Aramis I have to object with this statement. Cabrera is back to playing 3B for the Marlins this season, and he's far and away the best bat at the hot corner. (A position that's extremely well stacked in the NL right now; Cabrera, Ramirez, Wright, Rolen, Zimmerman, Atkins, etc.)

 

Is Cabrera back playing 3B? Even with him in the mix Aramis stacks up very favorably. Miggy may be the better player in the long run, but right now Aramis is every bit as good.

[Guest]

Realize that Aramis is the best offensive 3B in the NL right now.

While I agree that Hendry should do everything in his power to retain Aramis I have to object with this statement. Cabrera is back to playing 3B for the Marlins this season, and he's far and away the best bat at the hot corner. (A position that's extremely well stacked in the NL right now; Cabrera, Ramirez, Wright, Rolen, Zimmerman, Atkins, etc.)

 

Is Cabrera back playing 3B? Even with him in the mix Aramis stacks up very favorably. Miggy may be the better player in the long run, but right now Aramis is every bit as good.

May I please share in your supply of wacky weed?

 

If I were picking a 3B for tomorrow's game, my list would look like this:

 

Cabrera

 

 

Wright

Ramirez

Atkins

 

But I'd be tempted to pick Atkins third. Realistically, those three could be put in any order depending on your overall preferences on offense. But Cabrera is well above the other three.

[A New Era]

May I please share in your supply of wacky weed?

 

http://www.herbsmoke.com/wackyweed.jpg

[muntjack]

Miguel Cabrera is the best pure hitter in all of baseball.

[E.J.]

Here's some news that should at least leave us a little optimistic:

 

Chicago Sports[/url]"]The Cubs and Aramis Ramirez appear close to finalizing a contract extension to keep him from exercising his option to become a free agent after the season.

 

"They've started talking," Ramirez said. "I'd like to [stay] here. I hope they get it done as soon as they can."

 

 

General manager Jim Hendry seemed equally encouraged, saying, "Hopefully, we'll be able to keep Aramis. He certainly has expressed to me, as well as his people, that he'd like to stay. That would be his preference, so we'll try to work on doing that."

 

Chicago Sun-Times[/url]"]Cubs general manager Jim Hendry is hopeful of signing third baseman Aramis Ramirez to a new deal soon, saying Saturday he already has begun talks with Ramirez's agent and is optimistic Ramirez will remain.

 

''I spoke to [agent] Paul Kinzer [Friday], and I think we'll try to move forward a little bit this week,'' Hendry said. ''Hopefully, we'll be able to keep Aramis. He certainly has expressed to me, as well as his people, that he would like to stay. That would be his preference, so we'll try to work hard on doing that. He's a good player and had a very good season and tremendous second half. Moving forward, we'd like to be able to work it out.''

[C.C.]

Here's some news that should at least leave us a little optimistic:

 

Chicago Sports[/url]"]The Cubs and Aramis Ramirez appear close to finalizing a contract extension to keep him from exercising his option to become a free agent after the season.

 

"They've started talking," Ramirez said. "I'd like to [stay] here. I hope they get it done as soon as they can."

 

 

General manager Jim Hendry seemed equally encouraged, saying, "Hopefully, we'll be able to keep Aramis. He certainly has expressed to me, as well as his people, that he'd like to stay. That would be his preference, so we'll try to work on doing that."

 

Chicago Sun-Times[/url]"]Cubs general manager Jim Hendry is hopeful of signing third baseman Aramis Ramirez to a new deal soon, saying Saturday he already has begun talks with Ramirez's agent and is optimistic Ramirez will remain.

 

''I spoke to [agent] Paul Kinzer [Friday], and I think we'll try to move forward a little bit this week,'' Hendry said. ''Hopefully, we'll be able to keep Aramis. He certainly has expressed to me, as well as his people, that he would like to stay. That would be his preference, so we'll try to work hard on doing that. He's a good player and had a very good season and tremendous second half. Moving forward, we'd like to be able to work it out.''

 

I saw those this morning and made me feel better. Also, it looks like Pierre going to test the FA waters, which is always a good thing.

[USSoccer]

Realize that Aramis is the best offensive 3B in the NL right now.

While I agree that Hendry should do everything in his power to retain Aramis I have to object with this statement. Cabrera is back to playing 3B for the Marlins this season, and he's far and away the best bat at the hot corner. (A position that's extremely well stacked in the NL right now; Cabrera, Ramirez, Wright, Rolen, Zimmerman, Atkins, etc.)

 

Is Cabrera back playing 3B? Even with him in the mix Aramis stacks up very favorably. Miggy may be the better player in the long run, but right now Aramis is every bit as good.

May I please share in your supply of wacky weed?

 

If I were picking a 3B for tomorrow's game, my list would look like this:

 

Cabrera

 

 

Wright

Ramirez

Atkins

 

But I'd be tempted to pick Atkins third. Realistically, those three could be put in any order depending on your overall preferences on offense. But Cabrera is well above the other three.

 

 

I stand corrected, after looking at Cabrera's numbers this season. I hadn't looked at them in awhile.

[soccer10k]

Realize that Aramis is the best offensive 3B in the NL right now.

While I agree that Hendry should do everything in his power to retain Aramis I have to object with this statement. Cabrera is back to playing 3B for the Marlins this season, and he's far and away the best bat at the hot corner. (A position that's extremely well stacked in the NL right now; Cabrera, Ramirez, Wright, Rolen, Zimmerman, Atkins, etc.)

 

Is Cabrera back playing 3B? Even with him in the mix Aramis stacks up very favorably. Miggy may be the better player in the long run, but right now Aramis is every bit as good.

May I please share in your supply of wacky weed?

 

If I were picking a 3B for tomorrow's game, my list would look like this:

 

Cabrera

 

 

Wright

Ramirez

Atkins

 

But I'd be tempted to pick Atkins third. Realistically, those three could be put in any order depending on your overall preferences on offense. But Cabrera is well above the other three.

 

 

I stand corrected, after looking at Cabrera's numbers this season. I hadn't looked at them in awhile.

 

While I figued Cabrera was having a little bit better of a season than ARam, I was surprised to see how much better. The guy is a flat out stud.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

If Ramirez does leave, the Cubs should make an all-out push to acquire Cabrera. He's the one player who could make up for the loss of Aramis.

[RockTheIvy]

If Ramirez does leave, the Cubs should make an all-out push to acquire Cabrera. He's the one player who could make up for the loss of Aramis.

 

If it took three pitchers to get Pierre, I don't even want to think what they would want for Cabrera. Prior, Hill, Pie and Cedeno?

[Bruno7481]

If Ramirez does leave, the Cubs should make an all-out push to acquire Cabrera. He's the one player who could make up for the loss of Aramis.

 

If it took three pitchers to get Pierre, I don't even want to think what they would want for Cabrera. Prior, Hill, Pie and Cedeno?

 

If that is all it would take I'd do it.

 

I think it would take much more than that.

[RockTheIvy]

If Ramirez does leave, the Cubs should make an all-out push to acquire Cabrera. He's the one player who could make up for the loss of Aramis.

 

If it took three pitchers to get Pierre, I don't even want to think what they would want for Cabrera. Prior, Hill, Pie and Cedeno?

 

If that is all it would take I'd do it.

 

I think it would take much more than that.

 

That's true, Cedeno and his league worst OPS probably wouldn't do much.

 

Maybe Prior, Hill, Pie, Veal, Gallagher, Marshall?

[USSoccer]

If Ramirez does leave, the Cubs should make an all-out push to acquire Cabrera. He's the one player who could make up for the loss of Aramis.

 

If it took three pitchers to get Pierre, I don't even want to think what they would want for Cabrera. Prior, Hill, Pie and Cedeno?

 

If that is all it would take I'd do it.

 

I think it would take much more than that.

 

Prior will make about as much as Cabrera next year, so I doubt they'd want him in any deal.

 

I would guess they'd want Hill, Pie, Patterson and Veal.