Fox Sports: Ramirez SIGNS WITH CUBS!

[ToupeeOnFire]

Len Kasper weighs in:

 

Whenever a team loses 96 games and has the type of season the Cubs had, everyone takes the blame, which is fair. It's a team effort. But those "little" things that seemed magnified last year were more about aesthetics than about what REALLY ailed the club. The absolute #1 thing the Cubs need to improve upon offensively next year

ultimately isn't hustle - it's scoring more runs. And Aramis Ramirez helps you score runs because he gets on base and he hits for power. Do I want hustle? Of course, but hustle without patience and power at the plate brings you...not much. Juan Pierre would tell you that early last year. When he wasn't getting on base, his hustle didn't

really matter offensively. Only when he began getting on base did it really come into play.

 

I know that might be construed as a controversial viewpoint, but what I like to do when it comes to baseball is to prioritize what's most important and I believe people get some of these things in the wrong order sometimes. The #1 goal of an offense is to score runs and the #1 goal of defense/pitching is to prevent runs. The best way to

score is to 1) get on base and 2) hit for power (and conversely, a pitching staff and its defense is trying to prevent those things). They're the top 2 ways to score, period. Hustle is a part of getting on base for sure, but who has gotten on base more than any other player in the game over the past 7 or 8 years by a wide margin?

Barry Bonds, not necessarily the poster child for hustle. If you had the slowest player in the league who got on base at a .400 clip, he's more valuable offensively than the fastest player in the league who gets on at a .300 clip (that is, not taking into consideration their slugging abilities).

If there is some kind of smear campaign, the biggest shill (lacky, mouthpiece, etc.) of them all* isn't buying into it.

 

(*I'm joking by the way. Len for GM!)

[Guest]

That's a great situation to be in Bruce. I was surprised you listed yourself first to be honest so I thought this must be the case. Do you think his approach will change now that Dusty and MacPhail are gone?

[Sammy Sofa]

Thanks for the updates, Bruce. I really appreciate you keeping us updated with what you know or think is going on...helps calm a lot of my fears!

[Bruce Miles]

That's a great situation to be in Bruce. I was surprised you listed yourself first to be honest so I thought this must be the case. Do you think his approach will change now that Dusty and MacPhail are gone?

 

No, I don't expect any changes. I got along with Andy MacPhail really well. As I've said many times, he's an interesting, well-read and personable guy. I really like him.

Jim is Jim. He's great with the media and will stay the same.

John McDonough is terrific. As the marketing chief, he dealt with many different types of people. He's also very, very good with the media.

I won't miss Dusty. As interesting as he was as a guy, he never seemed to warm up to the beat writers or Chicago in general.

I hear Lou Piniella gets along great with his beat writers, and he's saying the right things about Chicago.

So I'm looking forward to how things are going to be.

[soapy]

I heart Len.

[CubinNY]

I heart Len.

 

Len should write an Op-Ed piece for the Tribune sports page.

[Banedon]

I heart Len.

 

Len should write an Op-Ed piece for the Tribune sports page.

 

You meant Daily Herald right????

[jtownie]

That's a great situation to be in Bruce. I was surprised you listed yourself first to be honest so I thought this must be the case. Do you think his approach will change now that Dusty and MacPhail are gone?

 

No, I don't expect any changes. I got along with Andy MacPhail really well. As I've said many times, he's an interesting, well-read and personable guy. I really like him.

Jim is Jim. He's great with the media and will stay the same.

John McDonough is terrific. As the marketing chief, he dealt with many different types of people. He's also very, very good with the media.

I won't miss Dusty. As interesting as he was as a guy, he never seemed to warm up to the beat writers or Chicago in general.

I hear Lou Piniella gets along great with his beat writers, and he's saying the right things about Chicago.

So I'm looking forward to how things are going to be.

 

What about his approach as GM? Is he more inclined to go after OBP guys now or is his view of how to build a baseball team closer to what we have seen over the past few years; guys who can catch the ball and have speed?

[Bruce Miles]

That's a great situation to be in Bruce. I was surprised you listed yourself first to be honest so I thought this must be the case. Do you think his approach will change now that Dusty and MacPhail are gone?

 

No, I don't expect any changes. I got along with Andy MacPhail really well. As I've said many times, he's an interesting, well-read and personable guy. I really like him.

Jim is Jim. He's great with the media and will stay the same.

John McDonough is terrific. As the marketing chief, he dealt with many different types of people. He's also very, very good with the media.

I won't miss Dusty. As interesting as he was as a guy, he never seemed to warm up to the beat writers or Chicago in general.

I hear Lou Piniella gets along great with his beat writers, and he's saying the right things about Chicago.

So I'm looking forward to how things are going to be.

 

What about his approach as GM? Is he more inclined to go after OBP guys now or is his view of how to build a baseball team closer to what we have seen over the past few years; guys who can catch the ball and have speed?

 

OBP will be on the table at this year's organizational meetings. I do know Pierre's low OBP got the Cubs' attention, and that's some progress.

[goonys evil twin]

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.

 

November 11 makes sense to me.

 

Bruce, my thoughts on this were Hendry had a chance to make this easier by guaranteeing Ramirez more years, and bumping the salary a bit, a long time ago. But waiting for the season to end took away any leverage he had. I got the feeling Hendry was confident Ramirez wouldn't even exercise that option. Do you you think he misread the market, or Ramirez's intentions? Do you think he could have had Ramirez for something like 4/48 months ago? Going into this season, Ramirez was every bit the free agent to be that Lee was, the only difference being that Aramis had a fallback, but Lee was obviously the priority.

[jtownie]

That's a great situation to be in Bruce. I was surprised you listed yourself first to be honest so I thought this must be the case. Do you think his approach will change now that Dusty and MacPhail are gone?

 

No, I don't expect any changes. I got along with Andy MacPhail really well. As I've said many times, he's an interesting, well-read and personable guy. I really like him.

Jim is Jim. He's great with the media and will stay the same.

John McDonough is terrific. As the marketing chief, he dealt with many different types of people. He's also very, very good with the media.

I won't miss Dusty. As interesting as he was as a guy, he never seemed to warm up to the beat writers or Chicago in general.

I hear Lou Piniella gets along great with his beat writers, and he's saying the right things about Chicago.

So I'm looking forward to how things are going to be.

 

What about his approach as GM? Is he more inclined to go after OBP guys now or is his view of how to build a baseball team closer to what we have seen over the past few years; guys who can catch the ball and have speed?

 

OBP will be on the table at this year's organizational meetings. I do know Pierre's low OBP got the Cubs' attention, and that's some progress.

That's just....awesome! Wow! Thanks for taking the time here. One question I have always wondered is if Hendry's views of baseball are a product of his manager or if he actually runs the team with his own views as the focal point of his choices. I'm sure it's a combination but I often wonder if he puts his own views first.

[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.

 

November 11 makes sense to me.

 

Bruce, my thoughts on this were Hendry had a chance to make this easier by guaranteeing Ramirez more years, and bumping the salary a bit, a long time ago. But waiting for the season to end took away any leverage he had. I got the feeling Hendry was confident Ramirez wouldn't even exercise that option. Do you you think he misread the market, or Ramirez's intentions? Do you think he could have had Ramirez for something like 4/48 months ago? Going into this season, Ramirez was every bit the free agent to be that Lee was, the only difference being that Aramis had a fallback, but Lee was obviously the priority.

 

If anything, Hendry probably misread Ramirez's intentions and probably relied too much on Ramirez's and the agent's "word" that they wouldn't leave ("word" might be too strong; "stated desire" is probably better, but I don't know how Jim interpreted it). Neither side wanted to talk during the season. And the out clause was a MacPhail creation at the last minute.

[RichHillIsABeast]

MacPhail may be a nice guy, but that out clause wasn't too bright. I don't know what he would have had to give up not to have that in there, but I can't imagine it was anything we'd regret now.

[goonys evil twin]

MacPhail may be a nice guy, but that out clause wasn't too bright. I don't know what he would have had to give up not to have that in there, but I can't imagine it was anything we'd regret now.

 

I don't have a problem with the out clause itself. The problem is not treating Aramis like a free agent last offseason. He was in a better position than Lee, because he had all the free agency rights of Lee, but with an insurance benefit of guaranteed years. If you are thinking of him as a pending free agent, just like Lee, you are in a position to negotiate a deal that is lower than the one you gave Lee. We're not talking about a 36 year old on the decline, who is less likely to exercise such an option. Ramirez is still in his prime, this is exactly when players want to be free agents.

[RichHillIsABeast]

MacPhail may be a nice guy, but that out clause wasn't too bright. I don't know what he would have had to give up not to have that in there, but I can't imagine it was anything we'd regret now.

 

I don't have a problem with the out clause itself. The problem is not treating Aramis like a free agent last offseason. He was in a better position than Lee, because he had all the free agency rights of Lee, but with an insurance benefit of guaranteed years. If you are thinking of him as a pending free agent, just like Lee, you are in a position to negotiate a deal that is lower than the one you gave Lee. We're not talking about a 36 year old on the decline, who is less likely to exercise such an option. Ramirez is still in his prime, this is exactly when players want to be free agents.

 

Why even create the need to treat him like a pending FA by including the opt out clause?

 

Ramirez's agents bent the Cubs over the barrel on that contract. I wonder what they'll wring out of the Cubs this time.

[goonys evil twin]

Why even create the need to treat him like a pending FA by including the opt out clause?

 

Ramirez's agents bent the Cubs over the barrel on that contract. I wonder what they'll wring out of the Cubs this time.

 

I'd prefer it if the out clause wasn't an issue. It would have been nice if it wasn't included. However, it's presence does not mean the Cubs had to let it get to the point where he used it.

[RichHillIsABeast]

Why even create the need to treat him like a pending FA by including the opt out clause?

 

Ramirez's agents bent the Cubs over the barrel on that contract. I wonder what they'll wring out of the Cubs this time.

 

I'd prefer it if the out clause wasn't an issue. It would have been nice if it wasn't included. However, it's presence does not mean the Cubs had to let it get to the point where he used it.

 

I doubt either side was willing to talk. Ramirez was sitting pretty and looking to get more money by opting out. That was clear from the moment the contract was signed.

 

There was no incentive for Ramirez to talk to the Cubs about an extension or new contract leading up to his opt out year.

[goonys evil twin]

There was no incentive for Ramirez to talk to the Cubs about an extension or new contract leading up to his opt out year.

 

There was no incentive to listen to an offer last winter/spring? I doubt that. There is always incentive for a player to talk about an extension.

 

More guaranteed years and more money is incentive enough. If Ramirez suffered the same injury Lee had, or had a down year, he wouldn't be in line to get the monster contract he'll get this offseason. That's why guys will always listen to offers.

[CubsWin]

There was no incentive for Ramirez to talk to the Cubs about an extension or new contract leading up to his opt out year.

 

There was no incentive to listen to an offer last winter/spring? I doubt that. There is always incentive for a player to talk about an extension.

 

More guaranteed years and more money is incentive enough. If Ramirez suffered the same injury Lee had, or had a down year, he wouldn't be in line to get the monster contract he'll get this offseason. That's why guys will always listen to offers.

Listen and sign are two completely different things. If you sign early, you are essentially betting against yourself and robbing yourself of the opportunity to play the open market.

 

How many talented athletes like Aramis Ramirez who are close to the best at their position have the type of ego that is going to bet against themselves? Not many, if any.

 

The only way this deal gets done early and avoids the open market is if Hendry makes such a large offer that Ramirez is willing to give up the opportunity to miss out on being a FA. But, like you said, with the possibility out there of Ramirez getting injured like Lee did or having a down year, why would it be in the Cubs best interest to give him such a contract before the season is played? So, like Bruce Miles said, it takes two to tango and there was no incentive for either side to sign a deal early. Unless, of course, the player is truly loyal and wants to give the team a hometown discount. But I can't fault Ramirez for not doing that.

[goonys evil twin]

There was no incentive for Ramirez to talk to the Cubs about an extension or new contract leading up to his opt out year.

 

There was no incentive to listen to an offer last winter/spring? I doubt that. There is always incentive for a player to talk about an extension.

 

More guaranteed years and more money is incentive enough. If Ramirez suffered the same injury Lee had, or had a down year, he wouldn't be in line to get the monster contract he'll get this offseason. That's why guys will always listen to offers.

Listen and sign are two completely different things. If you sign early, you are essentially betting against yourself and robbing yourself of the opportunity to play the open market.

 

How many talented athletes like Aramis Ramirez who are close to the best at their position have the type of ego that is going to bet against themselves? Not many, if any.

 

The only way this deal gets done early and avoids the open market is if Hendry makes such a large offer that Ramirez is willing to give up the opportunity to miss out on being a FA.

 

So does that mean D. Lee has no confidence in himself? Players routinely sign before going to free agency.

[Guest]

Lee isn't really comparable since he wasn't guaranteed anything if he got hurt whereas Ramirez is guaranteed $11 million or whatever his salary is. In other words, Ramirez is risking a couple million a year - much less than Lee would have been risking.

[goonys evil twin]

Lee isn't really comparable since he wasn't guaranteed anything if he got hurt whereas Ramirez is guaranteed $11 million or whatever his salary is. In other words, Ramirez is risking a couple million a year - much less than Lee would have been risking.

 

It sure is comparable. It's not the same, but clearly comparable. If you guaranteed Ramirez 4/48 last February, are you telling me there's no way he thinks about it because he's guaranteed 2/22? Ramirez was a free agent to be last offseason, and the prudent thing would have been to starting talking turkey then, not waiting until the last minute.

 

Hendry never realized Ramirez was going to exercise the option. He relied on his faith that Ramirez wanted to stay a Cub as a means to keep the cost down.

[frostwyrm]

There was no incentive for Ramirez to talk to the Cubs about an extension or new contract leading up to his opt out year.

 

There was no incentive to listen to an offer last winter/spring? I doubt that. There is always incentive for a player to talk about an extension.

 

More guaranteed years and more money is incentive enough. If Ramirez suffered the same injury Lee had, or had a down year, he wouldn't be in line to get the monster contract he'll get this offseason. That's why guys will always listen to offers.

True. For example, Nomar turned down a 4/60 extension offer from the Red Sox and has been on one year deals ever since. He gambled and lost, although I'm sure he won't end up on welfare anytime soon.

[jtownie]

Lee isn't really comparable since he wasn't guaranteed anything if he got hurt whereas Ramirez is guaranteed $11 million or whatever his salary is. In other words, Ramirez is risking a couple million a year - much less than Lee would have been risking.

 

It sure is comparable. It's not the same, but clearly comparable. If you guaranteed Ramirez 4/48 last February, are you telling me there's no way he thinks about it because he's guaranteed 2/22? Ramirez was a free agent to be last offseason, and the prudent thing would have been to starting talking turkey then, not waiting until the last minute.

 

Hendry never realized Ramirez was going to exercise the option. He relied on his faith that Ramirez wanted to stay a Cub as a means to keep the cost down.

Hendry could have found out what it was going to cost to keep Ramirez and decided whether or not to pursue a trade in the season if the cubs were bad....which they were.

 

I wonder if the fans will ever find out if Ramirez truly had a no-trade clause.

[Guest]

Lee isn't really comparable since he wasn't guaranteed anything if he got hurt whereas Ramirez is guaranteed $11 million or whatever his salary is. In other words, Ramirez is risking a couple million a year - much less than Lee would have been risking.

 

It sure is comparable. It's not the same, but clearly comparable. If you guaranteed Ramirez 4/48 last February, are you telling me there's no way he thinks about it because he's guaranteed 2/22? Ramirez was a free agent to be last offseason, and the prudent thing would have been to starting talking turkey then, not waiting until the last minute.

 

Hendry never realized Ramirez was going to exercise the option. He relied on his faith that Ramirez wanted to stay a Cub as a means to keep the cost down.

 

I don't think its comparable at all. I don't think Ramirez jumps on 4/48 knowing he will get at least that much and likely more with one more good season. What's his incentive? Even if he has a bad year, he will still be only 30 when he is a free agent and is very likely to get at least $12 million a year for two years at that point. If he was 35 years old your argument might make more sense but not for a 28 year old. Signing that extension is far more likely to cost him money than make him money so why would he do it? As it is now, he is in the driver's seat - chances are his agents are savvy enough to see that coming and with a guaranteed fallback 2 year deal, there is no reason he would have negotiated. Giving him the out clause created this situation.