A-Ram update

[frostwyrm]

Alou is a DH. He can no longer stay healthy while playing defense, and his defense is terrible anyway.

 

DH, or PH. If they could get him to sign for 4 million to mostly platoon with Jones and pinch hit, they could limit his defensive liability.

I don't know why he'd accept a part-time role on an NL team when he could go to the AL and DH every day, and maybe even stay healthy too.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Here's Bruce's most recent take on the Ramirez talks.

 

Slow going: Cubs sources report slow progress in contract talks with third baseman Aramis Ramirez, but they caution not to read too much into that. Ramirez will opt out of the final two years and $22.5 million of his contract and become a free agent if the Cubs don’t re-sign him.

 

The Cubs remain cautiously optimistic a deal can get done.

[OBPMatters]

Here's Bruce's most recent take on the Ramirez talks.

 

Slow going: Cubs sources report slow progress in contract talks with third baseman Aramis Ramirez, but they caution not to read too much into that. Ramirez will opt out of the final two years and $22.5 million of his contract and become a free agent if the Cubs don’t re-sign him.

 

The Cubs remain cautiously optimistic a deal can get done.

 

I wish he could lend some insight as to why there doesn't seem to be a sense of urgency on the part of the Cubs.

[USSoccer]

Here's Bruce's most recent take on the Ramirez talks.

 

Slow going: Cubs sources report slow progress in contract talks with third baseman Aramis Ramirez, but they caution not to read too much into that. Ramirez will opt out of the final two years and $22.5 million of his contract and become a free agent if the Cubs don’t re-sign him.

 

The Cubs remain cautiously optimistic a deal can get done.

 

I wish he could lend some insight as to why there doesn't seem to be a sense of urgency on the part of the Cubs.

 

It sure seems like Hendry is being extremely casual about this. Does he not know that Ramirez would likely be the best FA available if he opts out?

[Guest]

Screw it up, and it's a major step backwards right out of the gate. Both fans and the media will immediately see right through the PR talk and realize it's business as usual for the lovable losers.

 

A preliminary guess tells me the majority of the media is anti-Ramirez. And most of them would be more than fine with Hendry letting him walk. And if he replaces Ramirez with ARod or Tejada, or loses Ramirez and gains Lee and Soriano, I'd bet the majority of fans would be fine with that trade off.

 

I think you are correct in your assessment of the media being anti-Ramirez. And the feelings about Aramis from the members of the media that I have spoken to range from he's unlikable to he's very unlikable to he's just a bad guy (like Sammy). The story goes that Moises really kept Aramis in line (behavior-wise) in 2004 - after Moises departed, Aramis was "left to his own devices." Interpret that as you will - I was given no details. In talking to my sources, I just get the sense that Aramis is not liked in that clubhouse or by management - his lackadaisical attitude has irked a lot of folks on and off the field. There just doesn't seem to be a sense of urgency in keeping him despite his great numbers.

 

So does Hendry sign Moises Alou to a 1 year $6m deal (matching last year's salary) to get 300-400 ABs and babysit Ramirez? The general public absolutely loved Alou.

 

Hendry should never have let him go in the first place! :x

 

Water under the bridge, I know.

 

I don't know how Hendry feels about Moises these days. I know I wouldn't mind seeing Moises at $4M platooning with Jones.

My rewrite of that statement would read, "Hendry should never have signed him in the first place."

 

Sigh. I want to rewind time, trade Alou after 2003 and sign Vlad.

[HoopsCubs]

My rewrite of that statement would read, "Hendry should never have signed him in the first place." Sigh. I want to rewind time, trade Alou after 2003 and sign Vlad.

 

As much as I love Alou, I would have applauded that move.

[CubinNY]

Screw it up, and it's a major step backwards right out of the gate. Both fans and the media will immediately see right through the PR talk and realize it's business as usual for the lovable losers.

 

A preliminary guess tells me the majority of the media is anti-Ramirez. And most of them would be more than fine with Hendry letting him walk. And if he replaces Ramirez with ARod or Tejada, or loses Ramirez and gains Lee and Soriano, I'd bet the majority of fans would be fine with that trade off.

 

I think you are correct in your assessment of the media being anti-Ramirez. And the feelings about Aramis from the members of the media that I have spoken to range from he's unlikable to he's very unlikable to he's just a bad guy (like Sammy). The story goes that Moises really kept Aramis in line (behavior-wise) in 2004 - after Moises departed, Aramis was "left to his own devices." Interpret that as you will - I was given no details. In talking to my sources, I just get the sense that Aramis is not liked in that clubhouse or by management - his lackadaisical attitude has irked a lot of folks on and off the field. There just doesn't seem to be a sense of urgency in keeping him despite his great numbers.

 

So does Hendry sign Moises Alou to a 1 year $6m deal (matching last year's salary) to get 300-400 ABs and babysit Ramirez? The general public absolutely loved Alou.

 

Hendry should never have let him go in the first place! :x

 

Water under the bridge, I know.

 

I don't know how Hendry feels about Moises these days. I know I wouldn't mind seeing Moises at $4M platooning with Jones.

My rewrite of that statement would read, "Hendry should never have signed him in the first place."

 

Sigh. I want to rewind time, trade Alou after 2003 and sign Vlad.

I like that idea. I'll add Beltran in 2004/05

[Mizzou]

Here's Bruce's most recent take on the Ramirez talks.

 

Slow going: Cubs sources report slow progress in contract talks with third baseman Aramis Ramirez, but they caution not to read too much into that. Ramirez will opt out of the final two years and $22.5 million of his contract and become a free agent if the Cubs don’t re-sign him.

 

The Cubs remain cautiously optimistic a deal can get done.

 

I wish he could lend some insight as to why there doesn't seem to be a sense of urgency on the part of the Cubs.

 

It sure seems like Hendry is being extremely casual about this. Does he not know that Ramirez would likely be the best FA available if he opts out?

Wasn't he quoted towards the end of the season as saying that he'd like to get it done a couple weeks after the season ended? What happened to that plan, Jim?

[USSoccer]

Here's Bruce's most recent take on the Ramirez talks.

 

Slow going: Cubs sources report slow progress in contract talks with third baseman Aramis Ramirez, but they caution not to read too much into that. Ramirez will opt out of the final two years and $22.5 million of his contract and become a free agent if the Cubs don’t re-sign him.

 

The Cubs remain cautiously optimistic a deal can get done.

 

I wish he could lend some insight as to why there doesn't seem to be a sense of urgency on the part of the Cubs.

 

It sure seems like Hendry is being extremely casual about this. Does he not know that Ramirez would likely be the best FA available if he opts out?

Wasn't he quoted towards the end of the season as saying that he'd like to get it done a couple weeks after the season ended? What happened to that plan, Jim?

 

Sadly, this is typical Hendry. Wait, and wait, and wait.

 

And just wait-we'll end up with Scott Moore at 3B.

[RichHillIsABeast]

Here's Bruce's most recent take on the Ramirez talks.

 

Slow going: Cubs sources report slow progress in contract talks with third baseman Aramis Ramirez, but they caution not to read too much into that. Ramirez will opt out of the final two years and $22.5 million of his contract and become a free agent if the Cubs don’t re-sign him.

 

The Cubs remain cautiously optimistic a deal can get done.

 

I wish he could lend some insight as to why there doesn't seem to be a sense of urgency on the part of the Cubs.

 

It sure seems like Hendry is being extremely casual about this. Does he not know that Ramirez would likely be the best FA available if he opts out?

Wasn't he quoted towards the end of the season as saying that he'd like to get it done a couple weeks after the season ended? What happened to that plan, Jim?

 

Sadly, this is typical Hendry. Wait, and wait, and wait.

 

And just wait-we'll end up with Scott Moore at 3B.

 

It could also be Ramirez's agent slowing things down. ARam's got Hendry over a barrel and the closer he gets to optting out, the more likely he is to get his 15M.

[NCCubFan]

Sigh. I want to rewind time, trade Alou after 2003 and sign Vlad.

Where's Doc Brown when we need him? :D

 

http://www.spencer1984.com/image/m116a.jpg

[nilodnayr]

Sigh. I want to rewind time, trade Alou after 2003 and sign Vlad.

Where's Doc Brown when we need him? :D

 

http://www.spencer1984.com/image/m116a.jpg

 

I think the answer to that is really damn busy...

 

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000502/

[CuseCubFan69]

Here's Bruce's most recent take on the Ramirez talks.

 

Slow going: Cubs sources report slow progress in contract talks with third baseman Aramis Ramirez, but they caution not to read too much into that. Ramirez will opt out of the final two years and $22.5 million of his contract and become a free agent if the Cubs don’t re-sign him.

 

The Cubs remain cautiously optimistic a deal can get done.

 

I wish he could lend some insight as to why there doesn't seem to be a sense of urgency on the part of the Cubs.

 

It sure seems like Hendry is being extremely casual about this. Does he not know that Ramirez would likely be the best FA available if he opts out?

Wasn't he quoted towards the end of the season as saying that he'd like to get it done a couple weeks after the season ended? What happened to that plan, Jim?

 

Sadly, this is typical Hendry. Wait, and wait, and wait.

 

And just wait-we'll end up with Scott Moore at 3B.

 

Why? Alex Gonzalez isn't doing anything right now, he could play 3rd.

[davearm]

Sadly, this is typical Hendry. Wait, and wait, and wait.

 

And just wait-we'll end up with Scott Moore at 3B.

 

It could also be Ramirez's agent slowing things down. ARam's got Hendry over a barrel and the closer he gets to optting out, the more likely he is to get his 15M.

Exactly. I'm sure it's not Hendry that's holding this up.

 

ARam and his agent are playing chicken, hoping that Hendry blinks and jacks up his offer. There's no urgency on their side, so why not?

[Laura]

The Free Agent Filing Period begins the day after the World Series ends and runs for 15 days. If Aramis exercises his player option, he would file for free agency during this time. That wouldn't preclude the Cubs from re-signing him.

 

If he were to file early, though, I'd interpret it as indicating that progress on a new contract has stalled.

 

I'm still hoping this gets done.

[Wheelimus]

Certainly Hendry has to know that any hope for 2007 rests on resigning Aram. If it comes down to overpaying a million or two, or losing Aram, overpay.

[USSoccer]

What would make me feel better if there was any word of progress.

[Laura]

Matt Hurst / Inland Empire Press-Enterprise[/url]"] Ramirez has said he would like to remain in Chicago, but he can opt out of his current contract, leaving open the possibility the Angels could sign him. He hit .291 with 38 homers and 119 RBI this year.

 

His agent, Paul Kinzer, and the Cubs are working on a contract extension to add to the $33.5 million Ramirez is owed, including a 2009 option year. If that falls through, Ramirez will opt out to become a free agent.

 

"We've got a good idea of what teams need and who would be interested," Kinzer said. "They (the Angels) are definitely one of the teams we'd talk to."

 

Over the past three years Ramirez, 28, has averaged 35 home runs and 105 RBI. He would certainly cost the Angels a lot more than if they had re-signed Troy Glaus. Instead, the Dallas McPherson experiment fell on its face, and the Angels could be paying at least twice the price of the four-year, $45 million deal Glaus got two winters ago.

 

Kinzer said Ramirez would be seeking "six years for a lot of money" on the open market.

 

"With his age, we're looking for at least six years," he said. "We'll let the market dictate (price). This is going to be a very robust market."

[Brian]

Kinzer salivating over the "very robust market" makes me want to jump out of my window :x

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

That update doesn't look good. My guess is Kinzer wants to add 6 years to the current deal and Hendry only wants three.

[mg420]

i think they might settle on a 75 mil (5/15) contract if aram wants to stay a cub.

[CubColtPacer]

6 years, at least 90 million dollars from what the article is saying. That is getting steep. I still want to sign him, but for that kind of money and that kind of years it's beginning to get very dicey.

[UBlink]

Hendry can always offer another 4 or 5 year deal with the right to opt out after 2 years and we'll be right here again 2 years from now. Who didn't see this coming 2 years ago?

[CubFanPhilly]

If his demands are 6/90 you have to think about moving on. That would likely mean the Cubs couldn't contend in 2007, but you can't ruin the budget five or six years down the line either. With that said, if the 6th year is a club option with a reasonable buyout, I'd still be OK with it.

[rawaction]

I got a couple things from that article.

 

1. Aramis is only opting out of his contract because he can. I think he, personally, is fine with playing out his current contract, but knows it would be stupid to do so.

 

2. Aramis will re-sign with the Cubs for less than 6 years. 4yr/$60M or 5/$75 should get it done easily. And I don't see why the Cubs would have a problem giving up that. Actually a 4 year deal still makes him likely to get another big contract if his body holds up, as he would be just 32 at the end of it.