Fox Sports: Ramirez SIGNS WITH CUBS!

[Laura]

One last story.

 

Matt Hurst / The Press-Enterprise[/url]"] Just when things were supposed to get interesting for the Angels, just when General Manager Bill Stoneman was about to dip deep into owner Arte Moreno's pockets and make offers players couldn't refuse, they lost their top free-agent target for the second year in a row.

 

And it came because of another act of loyalty to another Windy City team.

 

Setting their sights on third baseman Aramis Ramirez since the end of the season, the Angels weren't even able to get an offer in on the first day of free agency as Ramirez agreed to a five-year, $73 million deal with an option for 2012 to remain with the Chicago Cubs on Sunday.

 

Stoneman was prepared to make an offer to knock Ramirez's blue socks off -- perhaps going as high as $100 million -- but the Cubs beat him to it.

 

"When it came right down to it, he didn't want to leave," Ramirez's agent Paul Kinzer said from his cell phone on his way to the general manager meetings in Naples, Fla. "He had a loyalty to them. This is the one time he realizes what he probably left on the table.

 

"That's where he wanted to be. He didn't want to talk to anybody else."

 

Last year the Angels' top target, Paul Konerko, spurned more money to remain with the Chicago White Sox.

Kinzer had some meetings set up with several teams -- the Angels among them -- beginning today in Naples, but "I've got to call those off."

[CaliforniaRaisin]

My turn!!

 

LA Times[/url]"]"The first person who called me when the deal was announced was Bill Stoneman, and he was pretty disappointed," Paul Kinzer, Ramirez's agent, said of the Angels general manager. "If Aramis left Chicago, he probably would have gone to Anaheim — it was the best fit outside of the Cubs. But Chicago came in with their last bullet, and Aramis didn't want to leave."

 

Stoneman was scheduled to meet with Kinzer to extend an offer to Ramirez on Sunday night at the general managers meetings in Naples, Fla.

[ChiCubsFan]

I love Aramis. The escape clause after the 4th year, as many people have mentioned, isn't too big of a deal. I doubt he'd be able to get more money than that at age 32. I guess if he doesn't like the direction the team is heading, it leaves him with the option of going to a contender while he's still near his prime.

 

Now let's get Drew and Schmidt in cubs uniforms.

[NorthsideAvenger]

Is it me, or do anybody here believe that Sorian and Carlos Lee both did a "disgruntled sigh" with a annoyed "aww....crap" when they heard Aramis signed, with some people are calling a "hometown contract?"

 

I think Soriano and Lee can now expected to get offers around what ARamis got, and not what Beltran go (in Soriano's case).

 

Not that it matters, but if there was a "legitimate offer of $100 million" made by the Angels, and ARam took less money to stay with the Cubs (and leaving $27 mill on the table, "alledgely) I wonder what the MLBPA is thinking right now?

[ChiCubsFan]

Is it me, or do anybody here believe that Sorian and Carlos Lee both did a "disgruntled sigh" with a annoyed "aww....crap" when they heard Aramis signed, with some people are calling a "hometown contract?"

 

I think Soriano and Lee can now expected to get offers around what ARamis got, and not what Beltran go (in Soriano's case).

 

Not that it matters, but if there was a "legitimate offer of $100 million" made by the Angels, and ARam took less money to stay with the Cubs (and leaving $27 mill on the table, "alledgely) I wonder what the MLBPA is thinking right now?

 

Well their situations are all different. Also with Aram off the board, the Angels can throw all that money to make sure they get Soriano. And of course, sighing over ONLY making 14 million dollars in one year is insane.

[NorthsideAvenger]

Well their situations are all different. Also with Aram off the board, the Angels can throw all that money to make sure they get Soriano. And of course, sighing over ONLY making 14 million dollars in one year is insane.

 

Ture, but players don't necessarily compare their stats to comparable players (ie Soriano to Beltran), they usually compare their stats with another highly soughtafter FA (ie Soriano/Lee to Ramirez).

 

My guess is...you can throw out Soriano getting $100 million now, and I think you will see teams play one player off the other. I believe both Soriano and Lee will end up with similar contracts as Ramirez.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Is it me, or do anybody here believe that Sorian and Carlos Lee both did a "disgruntled sigh" with a annoyed "aww....crap" when they heard Aramis signed, with some people are calling a "hometown contract?"

 

I think Soriano and Lee can now expected to get offers around what ARamis got, and not what Beltran go (in Soriano's case).

 

Not that it matters, but if there was a "legitimate offer of $100 million" made by the Angels, and ARam took less money to stay with the Cubs (and leaving $27 mill on the table, "alledgely) I wonder what the MLBPA is thinking right now?

 

Actually, Ramirez signing is likely a good thing for Lee and Soriano. Ramirez is now off the market, so teams looking for offense will have to look at Soriano and Lee. Furthermore, Ramirez leaving the market doesn't remove a buyer from the market as the Cubs still have money to spend and are looking for more offense. So, had Ramirez not signed, a team like the Angels probably throws money at Ramirez and removes one team from the pool. As it is now, there is one less FA to get in the way of Lee and Soriano's millions.

 

But realistically, they were all going to be very, very rich regardless with such a shallow pool. One player likely doesn't affect that very much.

[JWCUB]

Is it me, or do anybody here believe that Sorian and Carlos Lee both did a "disgruntled sigh" with a annoyed "aww....crap" when they heard Aramis signed, with some people are calling a "hometown contract?"

 

I think Soriano and Lee can now expected to get offers around what ARamis got, and not what Beltran go (in Soriano's case).

 

Not that it matters, but if there was a "legitimate offer of $100 million" made by the Angels, and ARam took less money to stay with the Cubs (and leaving $27 mill on the table, "alledgely) I wonder what the MLBPA is thinking right now?

 

Actually, Ramirez signing is likely a good thing for Lee and Soriano. Ramirez is now off the market, so teams looking for offense will have to look at Soriano and Lee. Furthermore, Ramirez leaving the market doesn't remove a buyer from the market as the Cubs still have money to spend and are looking for more offense. So, had Ramirez not signed, a team like the Angels probably throws money at Ramirez and removes one team from the pool. As it is now, there is one less FA to get in the way of Lee and Soriano's millions.

 

But realistically, they were all going to be very, very rich regardless with such a shallow pool. One player likely doesn't affect that very much.

 

IMO with the FA market as it is, I think CLee and Soriano will cash in. I don't see the Cubs getting into a bidding war. What I do see is the ARod trade talks heating up. It would not surprise me in the least if ARod was the Cubs 07 starting SS.

[Soul]

Is it me, or do anybody here believe that Sorian and Carlos Lee both did a "disgruntled sigh" with a annoyed "aww....crap" when they heard Aramis signed, with some people are calling a "hometown contract?"

 

I think Soriano and Lee can now expected to get offers around what ARamis got, and not what Beltran go (in Soriano's case).

 

Not that it matters, but if there was a "legitimate offer of $100 million" made by the Angels, and ARam took less money to stay with the Cubs (and leaving $27 mill on the table, "alledgely) I wonder what the MLBPA is thinking right now?

 

Actually, Ramirez signing is likely a good thing for Lee and Soriano. Ramirez is now off the market, so teams looking for offense will have to look at Soriano and Lee. Furthermore, Ramirez leaving the market doesn't remove a buyer from the market as the Cubs still have money to spend and are looking for more offense. So, had Ramirez not signed, a team like the Angels probably throws money at Ramirez and removes one team from the pool. As it is now, there is one less FA to get in the way of Lee and Soriano's millions.

 

But realistically, they were all going to be very, very rich regardless with such a shallow pool. One player likely doesn't affect that very much.

 

IMO with the FA market as it is, I think CLee and Soriano will cash in. I don't see the Cubs getting into a bidding war. What I do see is the ARod trade talks heating up. It would not surprise me in the least if ARod was the Cubs 07 starting SS.

 

We'll see. I still view that as a pipe dream. If it's Zambrano, then I *HOPE* it's a pipe dream.

[C.C.]

I just don't see it. They are going to want zambrano. Maybe a Hill\Pie combo? I don't know.

[ChiCubsFan]

I just don't see it. They are going to want zambrano. Maybe a Hill\Pie combo? I don't know.

 

Trading Hill will create another hole in the rotation. It looks like we don't have much of a chance for Schmidt, Zito, or Matsuzaka, so we would need to overpay for the likes of Vicente Padilla and Ted Lilly just to fill our #2 and #3 spots. I don't really like that idea.

 

I don't see them giving up ARod for just prospects either, so I don't really see it happening.

[JWCUB]

I just don't see it. They are going to want zambrano. Maybe a Hill\Pie combo? I don't know.

 

Trading Hill will create another hole in the rotation. It looks like we don't have much of a chance for Schmidt, Zito, or Matsuzaka, so we would need to overpay for the likes of Vicente Padilla and Ted Lilly just to fill our #2 and #3 spots. I don't really like that idea.

 

I don't see them giving up ARod for just prospects either, so I don't really see it happening.

 

In the GM Meetings thread, Hoops said a source of his said the Yanks were interested in Barrett. Prior, Marshall, Barrett, Eyre and Moore for ARod. If you get ARod, you could live with Blanco as the starting catcher.

[Guest]

I just don't see it. They are going to want zambrano. Maybe a Hill\Pie combo? I don't know.

 

Trading Hill will create another hole in the rotation. It looks like we don't have much of a chance for Schmidt, Zito, or Matsuzaka, so we would need to overpay for the likes of Vicente Padilla and Ted Lilly just to fill our #2 and #3 spots. I don't really like that idea.

 

I don't see them giving up ARod for just prospects either, so I don't really see it happening.

 

In the GM Meetings thread, Hoops said a source of his said the Yanks were interested in Barrett. Prior, Marshall, Barrett, Eyre and Moore for ARod. If you get ARod, you could live with Blanco as the starting catcher.

Hughes for Barrett.

 

I could live with that. :D

[jmajew]

I just don't see it. They are going to want zambrano. Maybe a Hill\Pie combo? I don't know.

 

Trading Hill will create another hole in the rotation. It looks like we don't have much of a chance for Schmidt, Zito, or Matsuzaka, so we would need to overpay for the likes of Vicente Padilla and Ted Lilly just to fill our #2 and #3 spots. I don't really like that idea.

 

I don't see them giving up ARod for just prospects either, so I don't really see it happening.

 

In the GM Meetings thread, Hoops said a source of his said the Yanks were interested in Barrett. Prior, Marshall, Barrett, Eyre and Moore for ARod. If you get ARod, you could live with Blanco as the starting catcher.

Hughes for Barrett.

 

I could live with that. :D

 

I second that.

[ChiCubsFan]

I just don't see it. They are going to want zambrano. Maybe a Hill\Pie combo? I don't know.

 

Trading Hill will create another hole in the rotation. It looks like we don't have much of a chance for Schmidt, Zito, or Matsuzaka, so we would need to overpay for the likes of Vicente Padilla and Ted Lilly just to fill our #2 and #3 spots. I don't really like that idea.

 

I don't see them giving up ARod for just prospects either, so I don't really see it happening.

 

In the GM Meetings thread, Hoops said a source of his said the Yanks were interested in Barrett. Prior, Marshall, Barrett, Eyre and Moore for ARod. If you get ARod, you could live with Blanco as the starting catcher.

Hughes for Barrett.

 

I could live with that. :D

 

Hmm...man, I would love Hughes. Prior, Marshall, Barrett, Eyre, and Moore is a lot to give up for Arod. I wouldn't be so willing to trade Prior when his value is this low. I'd much rather do the deal without Prior and if necessary include another prospect. Maybe Pie, Barrett, Eyre, and Moore? Sign JD Drew, get some pitching, and then we're rolling. Then you can hopefully trade Izturis for anything and put Theriot/Cedeno at 2b.

[BigbadB]

Do the Yankees have room on their 25 man roster to add all those guys? I doubt it.

 

How about sending Pie, Marshall, Mateo and Moore to Florida for Cabrera. If they won't do that deal, how about the same offer to send Dontrelle Willis to the Yankees and A-Rod to the Cubs? Maybe the Cubs offer up Wuertz to the Yankees as an added incentive?

[ChiCubsFan]

Do the Yankees have room on their 25 man roster to add all those guys? I doubt it.

 

How about sending Pie, Marshall, Mateo and Moore to Florida for Cabrera. If they won't do that deal, how about the same offer to send Dontrelle Willis to the Yankees and A-Rod to the Cubs? Maybe the Cubs offer up Wuertz to the Yankees as an added incentive?

 

I think it would take a lot more than that to get Cabrera or Dontrelle. None of those guys are can't miss prospects. I would guess it would take at least one A prospect to get either of them. Maybe not, but I just see the Angels be willing to trade some of their prospects (which are much better than ours) to get Cabrera. Especially after missing out on ARam.

[Backtobanks]

Do the Yankees have room on their 25 man roster to add all those guys? I doubt it.

 

How about sending Pie, Marshall, Mateo and Moore to Florida for Cabrera. If they won't do that deal, how about the same offer to send Dontrelle Willis to the Yankees and A-Rod to the Cubs? Maybe the Cubs offer up Wuertz to the Yankees as an added incentive?

 

I think it would take a lot more than that to get Cabrera or Dontrelle. None of those guys are can't miss prospects. I would guess it would take at least one A prospect to get either of them. Maybe not, but I just see the Angels be willing to trade some of their prospects (which are much better than ours) to get Cabrera. Especially after missing out on ARam.

 

I don't think Dontrelle was a can't miss prospect when the Cubs traded him.

[soccer10k]

I really like ARam now. Not that I didn't before but I'm not sure if I could have turned down an extra $27M to stay with a team that finished in last place the previous year.

[jjgman21]

has there been an official word of whether the signing came too late and cost them the ability to sign 4 type a-b?

 

I know the papers all say it was done on Sunday, but at the trade deadline they get some extra time to get the paperwork in after the primary terms are agreed to, so I'm holding out hope that might have happened here to.

[Guest]

don't you get to sign an extra type A if you lose one?

[Andy]

don't you get to sign an extra type A if you lose one?

Pierre's a B. Someone posted the rankings in this thread earlier. I don't know how he's a B...you'd think the antiquated baseball system would put the league leader in hits at an A even if he had the season Pierre had.

[Geech]

I think his point was that Aramis didn't count against the Cobs' net signings either way. Even if they used up a Type A signing, the Cobs should have gained one when Aramis became a free agent in the first place.

[Laura]

I don't understand this quote from SI.com. Did they just mistakenly name the wrong agent? Is Katz making fun of Kinzer? heh

 

Aramis Ramirez actually received $75 million over five years, not $73 million, but agent Adam Katz thinks he could have gotten a little more had he shopped him around. However, Ramirez wanted to stay in Chicago.

 

I suppose opinions differ on what 'a little more' is.

 

Anyway, it's not too bad; he set a record for increasing his contract after opting out. He increased $53 million from the $22 million he had been guaranteed.

 

This might be why the MLB Players Union wouldn't make a fuss. The 'hometown discount' is all speculative in the end, whereas Aramis and his agent brought in a lot more guaranteed money by opting out in the first place.

[RichHillIsABeast]

I don't understand this quote from SI.com. Did they just mistakenly name the wrong agent? Is Katz making fun of Kinzer? heh

 

Aramis Ramirez actually received $75 million over five years, not $73 million, but agent Adam Katz thinks he could have gotten a little more had he shopped him around. However, Ramirez wanted to stay in Chicago.

 

I suppose opinions differ on what 'a little more' is.

 

Katz is one of the main guys in Kinzer's agency. Same agency. It was Katz that came in with the last minute sweetners including the opt out clause. I think Katz is above Kinzer.

 

I'm pretty sure Kinzer was the one doing the negotiating like last time and never heard if Katz stepped in again. So the name quoted in that article is probably incorrect.