Fox Sports: Ramirez SIGNS WITH CUBS!

[USSoccer]

Pierre sure didn't produce in April and May. Why give him big bucks? But you won't hear any outcry from the media on that...Pierre works really hard and he hustles.

 

Is that true? I've seen recent columns from Mr. Miles and from the Sun Times guys stating their opinions that Hendry should let Pierre walk because he's not worth a 3 year - $27M deal.

 

Bruce is the exception.

 

Also, lets talk about Greg Maddux. He had a terrible May, June AND July. Where's Rozner's column about how Maddux quit on the team, or should hang it up, or wasn't worth $9m/yr?

 

He's a hypocrite with an axe to grind. He defends "his" guys and rips the ones who are not.

Edited November 2, 2006 by USSoccer

[HoopsCubs]

Pierre sure didn't produce in April and May. Why give him big bucks? But you won't hear any outcry from the media on that...Pierre works really hard and he hustles.

 

Is that true? I've seen recent columns from Mr. Miles and from the Sun Times guys stating their opinions that Hendry should let Pierre walk because he's not worth a 3 year - $27M deal.

 

The Suntimes guy I read wants Pierre back.

 

DeLuca or Marriotti?

[goonys evil twin]

Pierre sure didn't produce in April and May. Why give him big bucks? But you won't hear any outcry from the media on that...Pierre works really hard and he hustles.

 

Is that true? I've seen recent columns from Mr. Miles and from the Sun Times guys stating their opinions that Hendry should let Pierre walk because he's not worth a 3 year - $27M deal.

 

The Suntimes guy I read wants Pierre back.

 

DeLuca or Marriotti?

 

I don't read Marriotti.

[Laura]

Whether you like him or not, or like his writing style or not, Mr. Rozner has always been a big fan of a player's positive attitude and hard work ethic. That's been my observation reading his work since 1988. That's why he was always very pro-Dawson, Grace, Sandberg, Dunston, Maddux, Jordan, Hinrich, Grossman, etc... and negative towards guys like Palmeiro, Sosa, Patterson, Aramis, Horace Grant, Jalen Rose, Cade McNown, etc... I think what he is pointing out is his perception that Aramis is lackadaisical, and it really bugs him. Ancillary thought: I think he's questioning whether or not it makes sense to pay a guy $16M a year for 5 years if he can't put up numbers in April and May?

 

Just my $0.02: I really like the thought of Aramis being a Cub. I really don't like the idea of paying him $80M over 5 years.

 

I don't agree with him on Aramis, but I wanted to point out that it's not like he had suddenly jumped on the 'lazy' bandwagon.

 

What I got out of the quote is that he doesn't like overpaying Aramis but doesn't see much of an alternative since Hendry is under a Win Now mandate and Aramis wasn't traded at the deadline.

[goonys evil twin]

Pierre sure didn't produce in April and May. Why give him big bucks? But you won't hear any outcry from the media on that...Pierre works really hard and he hustles.

 

Is that true? I've seen recent columns from Mr. Miles and from the Sun Times guys stating their opinions that Hendry should let Pierre walk because he's not worth a 3 year - $27M deal.

 

Bruce is the exception.

 

Also, lets talk about Greg Maddux. He had a terrible May, June AND July. Where's Rozner's column about how Maddux quit on the team, or should hang it up, or wasn't worth $9m/yr?

 

He's a hypocrite with an axe to grind. He defends "his" guys and rips the ones who are not.

 

If you talk to him via cell phone on your way to spring training, you can count on glowing reviews.

[BigbadB]

April 2004: .308/.333/.626/.959

May 2004: .306/.372/.500/.872

 

It's not like he NEVER hits in April and May.

 

I attribute lack of hustle or even the appearance of lack of hustle to the manager. Dusty allowed it to take place. I don't think Piniella will.

 

As far as letting balls go by him into left field, Aramis is in line for a gold glove. Granted, I don't think he's gold glove material and I give no credibility to a fielding award that values offensive production, but ignoring how well he played there this year is just plain silly.

[Banedon]

Mariotti:

 

So we can assume Piniella isn't coming to Cubdom to watch four kid pitchers follow Carlos Zambrano in the rotation. We can assume he wants Hendry to pursue Barry Zito or Vicente Padilla for the No. 2 slot and that he has no interest in playing the Mark Prior-Kerry Wood waiting game. We can assume he told Hendry to get him a leadoff hitter, whether it's re-signing Juan Pierre or, better, throwing big bucks at Alfonso Soriano. And if you'd really like to dream, consider that a certain New York-dazed, postseason-phobic superstar has a great relationship with Piniella.

 

Couch:

 

That's two players, $30 million. It appears that Barry Zito and Jason Schmidt are going elsewhere, so how about signing Texas' Vicente Padilla and St. Louis' Jeff Suppan for the rotation? What would that cost, another $13 million? Re-sign Juan Pierre to what would probably be a small raise, and you now have a good team.

 

As far as Deluca, I'm not finding any "opinion" piece where there's a stated preference on Juan. Simply references like "Leadoff hitter Juan Pierre is a free agent and is as good as gone with Baker leaving."

[Bruce Miles]

Wow, is this ever an interesting discussion. Let me clarify a few things, at least from my point of view:

In nine years of traveling with the Cubs, no one has ever "planted" a story with me. It just doesn't work that way. To say there is an orchestrated "smear" campaign is ridiculous. Jim Hendry regularly talks to very few media people. In order, I'd say it's: 1. Myself, 2. Paul Sullivan, 3, Bruce Levine, 4. WGN Radio, 5. Jeff Vorva (Daily Southtown), 6. Whoever is writing these days for the Sun-Times, 7. Carrie Muskat (cubs.com), 8. All others. He rarely talks to columnists and to the Score, which really doesn't have a full-time baseball reporter.

Jim has no interest in "smearing" Ramirez, in large part because he wants him back and needs him back. In the end, I think Ramirez will stay. Remember, too, that there are two sides to every negotiation. Is the agent and are the agents (the esteemed Adam Katz is part of this agency) playing the game totally honestly and keeping their word? We'll find out.

Ramirez's bad image has to do with several factors. First is public relations. Aramis is not good with the media _ I've seen him blow people off who want to do nice stories. Sammy (1998-2003) got a break because he dealt well with the media. Mark Grace learned early on to be nice.

Another reason is that many media members are not sabermetrically friendly. I'm about it. So you get people looking at defense and hustle and all that. My position is that the Cubs MUST keep him.

Now, this board is also very specialized. Believe it or not, I get a lot of e-mails saying to let the bum walk (he isn't going to hustle, as we all know) out of town.

Maybe that helps. Maybe not.

[USSoccer]

April 2004: .308/.333/.626/.959

May 2004: .306/.372/.500/.872

 

It's not like he NEVER hits in April and May.

 

I attribute lack of hustle or even the appearance of lack of hustle to the manager. Dusty allowed it to take place. I don't think Piniella will.

 

As far as letting balls go by him into left field, Aramis is in line for a gold glove. Granted, I don't think he's gold glove material and I give no credibility to a fielding award that values offensive production, but ignoring how well he played there this year is just plain silly.

 

Seriously, I'd love for one of these 2 to come here and try and debate this. There's just a mountain of contradictory evidence.

[USSoccer]

In nine years of traveling with the Cubs, no one has ever "planted" a story with me. It just doesn't work that way. To say there is an orchestrated "smear" campaign is ridiculous.

 

Thanks for checking in, Bruce!

 

I admitted that it's highly unlikely that Hendry has anything to do with the volume of anti-Aramis articles in the papers and reoprts on the radio, but the frequency of it all is just amazing to me.

 

I know you said a lot of media aren't sabermetrically clued in, so to speak, but Aramis isn't a player you need to look at deep stats to see the value of. He puts up big numbers in the traditional "triple crown" stats. I just don't get the articles ignoring all of his positive contributions.

 

How bad with the media must he be, then!

 

One question if you have time: The SCORE did report that the two sides were close to getting something done, in the neighborhood of 5/$70. Any truth to this?

Edited November 2, 2006 by USSoccer

[Banedon]

Wow, is this ever an interesting discussion. Let me clarify a few things, at least from my point of view:

In nine years of traveling with the Cubs, no one has ever "planted" a story with me. It just doesn't work that way. To say there is an orchestrated "smear" campaign is ridiculous. Jim Hendry regularly talks to very few media people. In order, I'd say it's: 1. Myself, 2. Paul Sullivan, 3, Bruce Levine, 4. WGN Radio, 5. Jeff Vorva (Daily Southtown), 6. Whoever is writing these days for the Sun-Times, 7. Carrie Muskat (cubs.com), 8. All others. He rarely talks to columnists and to the Score, which really doesn't have a full-time baseball reporter.

Jim has no interest in "smearing" Ramirez, in large part because he wants him back and needs him back. In the end, I think Ramirez will stay. Remember, too, that there are two sides to every negotiation. Is the agent and are the agents (the esteemed Adam Katz is part of this agency) playing the game totally honestly and keeping their word? We'll find out.

Ramirez's bad image has to do with several factors. First is public relations. Aramis is not good with the media _ I've seen him blow people off who want to do nice stories. Sammy (1998-2003) got a break because he dealt well with the media. Mark Grace learned early on to be nice.

Another reason is that many media members are not sabermetrically friendly. I'm about it. So you get people looking at defense and hustle and all that. My position is that the Cubs MUST keep him.

Now, this board is also very specialized. Believe it or not, I get a lot of e-mails saying to let the bum walk (he isn't going to hustle, as we all know) out of town.

Maybe that helps. Maybe not.

 

Thanks for the input Bruce. I'm not sure that there was really an implication that Hendry was behind a smear campaign....maybe there was and I just ignored it...that's certainly possible. I certainly don't believe that. I just think there's a perception about A-ram out there that tends to overwhelm any of the statistical evidence (even non-sabermetric stats) that he's been a top performer during his Cubs career. I think your input about his relationship with the media is very telling as far as that goes though.

 

I guess I'm just disappointed that he would get so much focus when there were so many areas that actually are problematic.

[CubinNY]

In nine years of traveling with the Cubs, no one has ever "planted" a story with me. It just doesn't work that way. To say there is an orchestrated "smear" campaign is ridiculous.

 

Thanks for checking in, Bruce!

 

I admitted that it's highly unlikely that Hendry has anything to do with the volume of anti-Aramis articles in the papers and reoprts on the radio, but the frequency of it all is just amazing to me.

 

I know you said a lot of media aren't sabermetrically clued in, so to speak, but Aramis isn't a player you need to look at deep stats to see the value of. He puts up big numbers in the traditional "triple crown" stats. I just don't get the articles ignoring all of his positive contributions.

 

How bad with the media must he be, then!

 

That is exactly right. No slight to Bruce, but these articles are examples of lazy journalism. Marriotti is typical of this type of journalism, as is Mike Lupica. They write the esay story and don't delve into the facts or tell the reader anything they might not already know or be predisposed to think.

 

It's not just sports, it's this type of journalism that helped us get into Iraq.

[USSoccer]

 

Thanks for the input Bruce. I'm not sure that there was really an implication that Hendry was behind a smear campaign....maybe there was and I just ignored it...that's certainly possible.

 

I had written that this wreaked of a smear campaign, but admitted the actual probability was low. So that can o' worms was my fault.

[HoopsCubs]

Wow, is this ever an interesting discussion. Let me clarify a few things, at least from my point of view:

In nine years of traveling with the Cubs, no one has ever "planted" a story with me. It just doesn't work that way. To say there is an orchestrated "smear" campaign is ridiculous. Jim Hendry regularly talks to very few media people. In order, I'd say it's: 1. Myself, 2. Paul Sullivan, 3, Bruce Levine, 4. WGN Radio, 5. Jeff Vorva (Daily Southtown), 6. Whoever is writing these days for the Sun-Times, 7. Carrie Muskat (cubs.com), 8. All others. He rarely talks to columnists and to the Score, which really doesn't have a full-time baseball reporter.

Jim has no interest in "smearing" Ramirez, in large part because he wants him back and needs him back. In the end, I think Ramirez will stay. Remember, too, that there are two sides to every negotiation. Is the agent and are the agents (the esteemed Adam Katz is part of this agency) playing the game totally honestly and keeping their word? We'll find out.

Ramirez's bad image has to do with several factors. First is public relations. Aramis is not good with the media _ I've seen him blow people off who want to do nice stories. Sammy (1998-2003) got a break because he dealt well with the media. Mark Grace learned early on to be nice.

Another reason is that many media members are not sabermetrically friendly. I'm about it. So you get people looking at defense and hustle and all that. My position is that the Cubs MUST keep him.

Now, this board is also very specialized. Believe it or not, I get a lot of e-mails saying to let the bum walk (he isn't going to hustle, as we all know) out of town.

Maybe that helps. Maybe not.

 

It's always great for us as a community when the esteemed Mr. Miles sets us straight on topics the board can only speculate on. Wouldn't it be great if he was GM?

[Bruce Miles]

Wow, is this ever an interesting discussion. Let me clarify a few things, at least from my point of view:

In nine years of traveling with the Cubs, no one has ever "planted" a story with me. It just doesn't work that way. To say there is an orchestrated "smear" campaign is ridiculous. Jim Hendry regularly talks to very few media people. In order, I'd say it's: 1. Myself, 2. Paul Sullivan, 3, Bruce Levine, 4. WGN Radio, 5. Jeff Vorva (Daily Southtown), 6. Whoever is writing these days for the Sun-Times, 7. Carrie Muskat (cubs.com), 8. All others. He rarely talks to columnists and to the Score, which really doesn't have a full-time baseball reporter.

Jim has no interest in "smearing" Ramirez, in large part because he wants him back and needs him back. In the end, I think Ramirez will stay. Remember, too, that there are two sides to every negotiation. Is the agent and are the agents (the esteemed Adam Katz is part of this agency) playing the game totally honestly and keeping their word? We'll find out.

Ramirez's bad image has to do with several factors. First is public relations. Aramis is not good with the media _ I've seen him blow people off who want to do nice stories. Sammy (1998-2003) got a break because he dealt well with the media. Mark Grace learned early on to be nice.

Another reason is that many media members are not sabermetrically friendly. I'm about it. So you get people looking at defense and hustle and all that. My position is that the Cubs MUST keep him.

Now, this board is also very specialized. Believe it or not, I get a lot of e-mails saying to let the bum walk (he isn't going to hustle, as we all know) out of town.

Maybe that helps. Maybe not.

 

It's always great for us as a community when the esteemed Mr. Miles sets us straight on topics the board can only speculate on. Wouldn't it be great if he was GM?

 

Thanks, Hoops, but no, it would not be great!!

[HoopsCubs]

Wow, is this ever an interesting discussion. Let me clarify a few things, at least from my point of view:

In nine years of traveling with the Cubs, no one has ever "planted" a story with me. It just doesn't work that way. To say there is an orchestrated "smear" campaign is ridiculous. Jim Hendry regularly talks to very few media people. In order, I'd say it's: 1. Myself, 2. Paul Sullivan, 3, Bruce Levine, 4. WGN Radio, 5. Jeff Vorva (Daily Southtown), 6. Whoever is writing these days for the Sun-Times, 7. Carrie Muskat (cubs.com), 8. All others. He rarely talks to columnists and to the Score, which really doesn't have a full-time baseball reporter.

Jim has no interest in "smearing" Ramirez, in large part because he wants him back and needs him back. In the end, I think Ramirez will stay. Remember, too, that there are two sides to every negotiation. Is the agent and are the agents (the esteemed Adam Katz is part of this agency) playing the game totally honestly and keeping their word? We'll find out.

Ramirez's bad image has to do with several factors. First is public relations. Aramis is not good with the media _ I've seen him blow people off who want to do nice stories. Sammy (1998-2003) got a break because he dealt well with the media. Mark Grace learned early on to be nice.

Another reason is that many media members are not sabermetrically friendly. I'm about it. So you get people looking at defense and hustle and all that. My position is that the Cubs MUST keep him.

Now, this board is also very specialized. Believe it or not, I get a lot of e-mails saying to let the bum walk (he isn't going to hustle, as we all know) out of town.

Maybe that helps. Maybe not.

 

It's always great for us as a community when the esteemed Mr. Miles sets us straight on topics the board can only speculate on. Wouldn't it be great if he was GM?

 

Thanks, Hoops, but no, it would not be great!!

 

Oh! Come on - we want to go to the post-season man. Just think if a sabermetric savvy guy like yourself made personnel decisions for this club. Even at half of Hendry's inflated price, you'd be set and a hero! Well, you are already our hero...

[Bruce Miles]

In nine years of traveling with the Cubs, no one has ever "planted" a story with me. It just doesn't work that way. To say there is an orchestrated "smear" campaign is ridiculous.

 

Thanks for checking in, Bruce!

 

I admitted that it's highly unlikely that Hendry has anything to do with the volume of anti-Aramis articles in the papers and reoprts on the radio, but the frequency of it all is just amazing to me.

 

I know you said a lot of media aren't sabermetrically clued in, so to speak, but Aramis isn't a player you need to look at deep stats to see the value of. He puts up big numbers in the traditional "triple crown" stats. I just don't get the articles ignoring all of his positive contributions.

 

How bad with the media must he be, then!

 

That is exactly right. No slight to Bruce, but these articles are examples of lazy journalism. Marriotti is typical of this type of journalism, as is Mike Lupica. They write the esay story and don't delve into the facts or tell the reader anything they might not already know or be predisposed to think.

 

It's not just sports, it's this type of journalism that helped us get into Iraq.

 

You get no argument from me about lazy journalism. There's too much of it out there.

[Guest]

Bruce,

From the sounds of it, you have a pretty good relationship with Mr. Hendry. Do you ever discuss any of the negative things you have written regarding his decisions?

[RichHillIsABeast]

It's not just sports, it's this type of journalism that helped us get into Iraq.

 

Can you go 1 day without posting an Iraq/Bush reference on a baseball message board?

 

Just checking. :wink:

[USSoccer]

Bruce, I had to edit this into my previous post, so I'm not sure if you saw it, but the Score reported that the Cubs and Ramirez were "close" on a deal around 5/$70. Is there any truth to this?

[Bruce Miles]

Bruce,

From the sounds of it, you have a pretty good relationship with Mr. Hendry. Do you ever discuss any of the negative things you have written regarding his decisions?

 

All the time, and it's always very professional. Jim has always told me that if the team is doing poorly, then he has to "take it." I don't get personal ever in writing about a player, manager or management type, and I believe that helps. I'm happy and proud to say that Jim and I are willing to agree on some subjects and willing to "agree to disagree" on others. I can't ask for much better.

[Bruce Miles]

Bruce, I had to edit this into my previous post, so I'm not sure if you saw it, but the Score reported that the Cubs and Ramirez were "close" on a deal around 5/$70. Is there any truth to this?

 

No truth, at least in the way they made it sound. My Cubs people tell me this likely will go down to Nov. 11.

[CubinNY]

It's not just sports, it's this type of journalism that helped us get into Iraq.

 

Can you go 1 day without posting an Iraq/Bush reference on a baseball message board?

 

Just checking. :wink:

 

I was just pointing out it is not only sports.

 

BTW>Someone has to do it, becuase the media is too lazy. We are at war and American's are dying (at an average of more than 3/day last month) and all they can talk about is John F. Kerry's stupid attempt at humor.

 

With Aramis they are taking a minor flaw and parroting it as if it is a defining characteristic. He's been the most productive Cub player for three years and all they can talk about is running out grounders and fly balls. I think the FJM blog is over the top at times, but with the Aramis blog they were right on the money.

Edited November 2, 2006 by CubinNY

[USSoccer]

Bruce, I had to edit this into my previous post, so I'm not sure if you saw it, but the Score reported that the Cubs and Ramirez were "close" on a deal around 5/$70. Is there any truth to this?

 

No truth, at least in the way they made it sound. My Cubs people tell me this likely will go down to Nov. 11.

 

Sigh. Okay. Any insight on how far apart they are?

[Bruce Miles]

Bruce, I had to edit this into my previous post, so I'm not sure if you saw it, but the Score reported that the Cubs and Ramirez were "close" on a deal around 5/$70. Is there any truth to this?

 

No truth, at least in the way they made it sound. My Cubs people tell me this likely will go down to Nov. 11.

 

Sigh. Okay. Any insight on how far apart they are?

 

The difference isn't that great. I don't know the exact numbers, but what I reported the other day and what the trade rumors cite reported are in the ballpark. But the agent is going to squeeze until the last minute. The last time they signed Aramis to an extension, Adam Katz, who is one of the agency's principals, swooped in at the very last minute to seek changes and sweeteners. I fully expect the same thing this time, which is why I said you have to look at both sides in any negotiation.