Fox Sports: Ramirez SIGNS WITH CUBS!

[rawaction]

I don't think "love of Chicago" is enough to keep a good player around if the money's better elsewhere and the teams are playoff contenders.

 

That's just my HO.

 

Agreed. But "love of Chicago" or not, Aramis was gonna opt out of this contract. The time to be upset was the beginning of 2005, not today.

[CuseCubFan69]

If you were hired for your job 2 years ago, had the ability to re-negotiate your pay, and knew there were several other companies with a need for your specific position, wouldn't you want to see what the other companies are willing to pay for your position before agreeing to take a salary from your current employer?

 

What's the point of the opt-out clause if Ramirez wasn't gonna use it?

 

Heck yeah. That's why I said in July he was going to get 14 and not with the Cubs.

[Wheelimus]

He might get 14, but I'm hoping it's with the Cubs. With the payroll wallet opened up there's no excuse to not pay him what we have to. "Full market value"? Sure, why not. Better than having Mike Lowell at third.

[USSoccer]

Hendry has 2 weeks to sign him. If he doesn't, he should be fired 5 minutes after Ramirez signs elsewhere.

 

That opt ot was stupid, and if Hendry is trying to get Ramirez below market value, he's stupid. Ramirez held all the cards. He deserves market value based on his play since he's been a Cub. He deserves it far more than Derrek Lee did, and yet here we are, no progress reported, and we're on estep closer to having Mark DeRosa hit .270 with 15 HR's in 2007 at 3B.

Edited October 30, 2006 by USSoccer

[Brian]

Until Hendry proves that he can bid with the big boys, Aramis is as good as gone.

[CuseCubFan69]

I don't think "love of Chicago" is enough to keep a good player around if the money's better elsewhere and the teams are playoff contenders.

 

That's just my HO.

 

Agreed. But "love of Chicago" or not, Aramis was gonna opt out of this contract. The time to be upset was the beginning of 2005, not today.

 

MacPhail was probably worried about his perfect record of not going to arbitration.

[CuseCubFan69]

He might get 14, but I'm hoping it's with the Cubs. With the payroll wallet opened up there's no excuse to not pay him what we have to. "Full market value"? Sure, why not. Better than having Mike Lowell at third.

 

I see a 5/70 minimum for Ramirez and I agree, I hope it's with the Cubs. A sixth year may be the deciding factor in this.

[CubColtPacer]

I don't think "love of Chicago" is enough to keep a good player around if the money's better elsewhere and the teams are playoff contenders.

 

That's just my HO.

 

Agreed. But "love of Chicago" or not, Aramis was gonna opt out of this contract. The time to be upset was the beginning of 2005, not today.

 

I've never understood the hatred of the opt out clause. Sure, everyone knew he was going to opt out after two years. If Ramirez and his agent came to the table though at the beginning of 2005 and said "You give us this or we go to free agency after the year" do you expect the ownership to just let him go to free agency? It at least delayed things for one year-now the team has to lock him up.

[TheDude]

It was a great bargining tool for the Cubs to proclaim that they are going to spend a lot during the off season to win. I'm sure Ramirez never heard that rumor. I think shouting this out for the world to hear wasn't the smartest thing they could have done and by going the free agent route is a smart move by Tessio, he was always smarter.....I mean Ramirez.

 

How else does an organization demonstrate to a player they want to win? The organization hires a manager with a WS ring and publicly states they want to win and they will go after players that can help them win.

 

I don't see how this 'wasn't the smartest thing'.

 

By action not words. They can talk all they want but I want action and blabbing that they'll spend mega bucks this off season isn't the route I would have gone when I'm nogotiating with a guy that will be a free agent soon. Yeah, it's fine to hire good people and state they are out there to win but weren't they suppose to be doing that all along? I just think it cost them an extra 1 to 3 million a year with Ramirez but that's my opinion.

 

Exactly how can the team provide 'action' at this stage of the offseason (or earlier), when it would be tampering or outside accepted practice?

 

Aramis likely made up his mind to opt out a long time ago. I don't see how any action taken by the Cubs management the last 3 months can be viewed as impacting his decision, although I think it was their intent to make an impression on him.

 

Aramis is like any other talented athlete in the modern era, he want to get paid his market value.

[Bruce Miles]

This is a formality. All eligible players file to protect themselves. In and of itself, it means nothing. Remember, that the Cubs are the only team that can sign him for the next couple of weeks.

 

Bruce, I understand what you are saying. However, at the same time I can't help but wonder why?

 

If Aramis wants to stay in Chicago

If Hendry wants Aramis to stay in Chicago

Then, shouldn't they have worked out the parameters of a contract before this?

 

I mean, holy crist, he's only been the most productive Cub player for the last three years (combined).

 

What is the problem? He's 28, he's arguably one the best players at his position in MLB, and he's publically stated he wants to be in Chicago.

 

I can't help but panic.

 

As to the first part, when were they going to work out the parameters ofa new contract, during the season? Most players don't like to do this. That leaves now, and they've been negotiating.

As for the "problem," you answered your own question. He's 28 and productive. Add to that a scarce market for third basemen and you've got one hell of a seller's market. Of the 200-odd eligible free agents, all end up filing if they don't sign back with their teams right away. That's just smart business.

[Soul]

I don't think "love of Chicago" is enough to keep a good player around if the money's better elsewhere and the teams are playoff contenders.

 

That's just my HO.

 

Agreed. But "love of Chicago" or not, Aramis was gonna opt out of this contract. The time to be upset was the beginning of 2005, not today.

 

Understood. I would only plead that March/April '05 was like, blur-bad deal-blur-more Neifi-blur-Wood/Prior hurt-ouch-bad season coming, etc.

 

You know?

[cjbucks]

Let the hand wringing begin - hopefully it won't be followed by a year of Joe "the Joker" Randa at 3b for the Cubs. That might make me suicidal.

[frostwyrm]

The warm weather aspect may be important than we think. Aram had a miserable start in 2006 and in 2005 he didn't get hot until the last week of May. It's possible he believes the cold in Wrigley is keeping him from putting up the type of season numbers he's capable of, and it might even be true.

[CuseCubFan69]

It was a great bargining tool for the Cubs to proclaim that they are going to spend a lot during the off season to win. I'm sure Ramirez never heard that rumor. I think shouting this out for the world to hear wasn't the smartest thing they could have done and by going the free agent route is a smart move by Tessio, he was always smarter.....I mean Ramirez.

 

How else does an organization demonstrate to a player they want to win? The organization hires a manager with a WS ring and publicly states they want to win and they will go after players that can help them win.

 

I don't see how this 'wasn't the smartest thing'.

 

By action not words. They can talk all they want but I want action and blabbing that they'll spend mega bucks this off season isn't the route I would have gone when I'm nogotiating with a guy that will be a free agent soon. Yeah, it's fine to hire good people and state they are out there to win but weren't they suppose to be doing that all along? I just think it cost them an extra 1 to 3 million a year with Ramirez but that's my opinion.

 

Exactly how can the team provide 'action' at this stage of the offseason (or earlier), when it would be tampering or outside accepted practice?

 

Aramis likely made up his mind to opt out a long time ago. I don't see how any action taken by the Cubs management the last 3 months can be viewed as impacting his decision, although I think it was their intent to make an impression on him.

 

Aramis is like any other talented athlete in the modern era, he want to get paid his market value.

 

Yes you're right Ramirez wants the money and I don't blame him at all. I just don't think it was a good negotiating move by the Cubs to say they are upping payroll so early. I'd of kept it close to the vest and offered him a 5/70 before his free period and hoped that surprised or overwhelmed him into signing and that's how I'd have made an impression on him. Now, that number is expected and probably going to go up.

[CubinNY]

Aramis likely made up his mind to opt out a long time ago. I don't see how any action taken by the Cubs management the last 3 months can be viewed as impacting his decision, although I think it was their intent to make an impression on him.

 

How about giving him a Beltre or Lee like contract?

 

If the Cubs knew he was going to opt out, why not "give him an offer he can't refule" to keep the Godfather refernce going?

 

Hendry is playing with fire here. And I was upset in 2005 when the contract was announced.

 

I hope the Cubs resign him, but I don't like the odds.

[CuseCubFan69]

It was a great bargining tool for the Cubs to proclaim that they are going to spend a lot during the off season to win. I'm sure Ramirez never heard that rumor. I think shouting this out for the world to hear wasn't the smartest thing they could have done and by going the free agent route is a smart move by Tessio, he was always smarter.....I mean Ramirez.

 

So Derrek Lee is Clemenza?

 

I hope so! He ended up on the winning team.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Can anyone remember the last time Hendry failed to retain a player he wanted to keep?

[rawaction]

I don't think "love of Chicago" is enough to keep a good player around if the money's better elsewhere and the teams are playoff contenders.

 

That's just my HO.

 

Agreed. But "love of Chicago" or not, Aramis was gonna opt out of this contract. The time to be upset was the beginning of 2005, not today.

 

I've never understood the hatred of the opt out clause. Sure, everyone knew he was going to opt out after two years. If Ramirez and his agent came to the table though at the beginning of 2005 and said "You give us this or we go to free agency after the year" do you expect the ownership to just let him go to free agency? It at least delayed things for one year-now the team has to lock him up.

 

Well, Ramirez had no leverage then. He was not due for free agency yet. He didn't have the Cubs by the balls like he does now.

Edited October 30, 2006 by rawaction

[USSoccer]

Can anyone remember the last time Hendry failed to retain a player he wanted to keep?

 

Can you remember the last time when one of those players deserved a top flight contract on the open market?

 

There's a big difference between Hendry wanting to keep Neifi and Glendon, and Hendry paying what Aramis deserves to be paid. He's going to let him walk.

[Soul]

Add to all this the fact that I really like ARam. I know he's a little lazy sometimes, but he seems like a really good kid. Mostly just quiet and productive.

 

Oh well, enough of my crying. I hope Hendry pulls off a deal to keep him. Doing so would be a significant achievement given the level of interest ARam is already drawing.

[Brian]

Can anyone remember the last time Hendry failed to retain a player he wanted to keep?

 

Can you remember the last time when one of those players deserved a top flight contract on the open market?

 

Nomar. Though he had injury concerns.

[rawaction]

Can anyone remember the last time Hendry failed to retain a player he wanted to keep?

 

Can you remember the last time when one of those players deserved a top flight contract on the open market?

 

There's a big difference between Hendry wanting to keep Neifi and Glendon, and Hendry paying what Aramis deserves to be paid. He's going to let him walk.

 

Granted he has re-signed most of his own FA's early, but he has a pretty good track record with Wood, Lee, Barrett, and others.

[USSoccer]

Can anyone remember the last time Hendry failed to retain a player he wanted to keep?

 

Can you remember the last time when one of those players deserved a top flight contract on the open market?

 

Nomar. Though he had injury concerns.

 

Nomar was a shell of his former self. Aramis is the best player the Cubs have had FA eligible since Greg Maddux.

[USSoccer]

Can anyone remember the last time Hendry failed to retain a player he wanted to keep?

 

Can you remember the last time when one of those players deserved a top flight contract on the open market?

 

There's a big difference between Hendry wanting to keep Neifi and Glendon, and Hendry paying what Aramis deserves to be paid. He's going to let him walk.

 

Granted he has re-signed most of his own FA's early, but he has a pretty good track record with Wood, Lee, Barrett, and others.

 

Barrett's not as good, Lee had a career year and got resigned a year before FA, and Wood was also resigned a year before FA.

 

If Hendry were truly serious about Aramis being his "#1 priority", this would have been done by now.

[Abe Frohman]

If you were Aramis Ramirez - what would you do? This is his ONLY chance as a free agent (in his PRIME) to really cash in. He is going to get $15 million, at least.

 

Would you want to come back to the Cubs if you were in his shoes? Who knows, since we don't know what it is like to play for the Cubs. My guess is, he has had enough. I will be very surprised if Aramis returns. This whole organization - which seemed to be stepping to becoming a dominant club just 2 years ago - has flopped into the toilet. Mostly because of injuries, which may or may not have been preventable.

 

I imagine Ramirez will be undecided for a couple months, which is tough for the Cubs since they have to rebuild the team. I am just hoping that we have a much more offensive outfield and can sign an All-Star SS.

 

Hell, pick up Benji Molina and move Barrett to 3B. If he has the ability to play a solid 3B, there are plenty of holes to fill with power in the Cubs lineup. Go after Manny Ramirez or something. Get creative.