Fox Sports: Ramirez SIGNS WITH CUBS!

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

This doesn't bode well. It's going to be tough to build this team into a contender with the limited options available. If we lose out to Ramirez, it becomes that much more daunting.

 

Hendry has dug him a hole here. He knows that he doesn't have time for a re-tooling year. If he doesn't get Ramirez signed, I fear what moves he might make.

 

In an ideal setting, it would be re-sign Ramirez or retool for a run in 2008. Hendry doesn't have that option. I wouldn't be surprised to see Ramirez hold out for a 6/90 deal.

[frostwyrm]

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.

 

Yeah, but in the movie Michael ran the family. The Cubs have Fredo running the show.

[USSoccer]

This doesn't bode well. It's going to be tough to build this team into a contender with the limited options available. If we lose out to Ramirez, it becomes that much more daunting.

 

Hendry has dug him a hole here. He knows that he doesn't have time for a re-tooling year. If he doesn't get Ramirez signed, I fear what moves he might make.

 

In an ideal setting, it would be re-sign Ramirez or retool for a run in 2008. Hendry doesn't have that option. I wouldn't be surprised to see Ramirez hold out for a 6/90 deal.

 

He's easily worth that, BTW.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

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.

 

Or maybe he's just using the time alotted to get the best contract he can. Now that Ramirez has opted out, Hendry will in all likelihood be forced to up the offer to sign him, which if history is any indication, is what's probably going to happen.

[CuseCubFan69]

This doesn't bode well. It's going to be tough to build this team into a contender with the limited options available. If we lose out to Ramirez, it becomes that much more daunting.

 

Hendry has dug him a hole here. He knows that he doesn't have time for a re-tooling year. If he doesn't get Ramirez signed, I fear what moves he might make.

 

In an ideal setting, it would be re-sign Ramirez or retool for a run in 2008. Hendry doesn't have that option. I wouldn't be surprised to see Ramirez hold out for a 6/90 deal.

 

He's easily worth that, BTW.

 

It's looks like his off season workout worked out very well for him. Chaa-Ching!

[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.

 

Or maybe he's just using the time alotted to get the best contract he can. Now that Ramirez has opted out, Hendry will in all likelihood be forced to up the offer to sign him, which if history is any indication, is what's probably going to happen.

 

What history? I'd say it's far more likely that Hendry allows him to walk and signs someone completely lousy to play 3B than it is that Hendry actually pays a top 5 player at his position market value.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

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

 

Or maybe he's just using the time alotted to get the best contract he can. Now that Ramirez has opted out, Hendry will in all likelihood be forced to up the offer to sign him, which if history is any indication, is what's probably going to happen.

 

What history? I'd say it's far more likely that Hendry allows him to walk and signs someone completely lousy to play 3B than it is that Hendry actually pays a top 5 player at his position market value.

 

The history I was just talking about. While each situation is different, Hendry has always locked up the players he wants to keep. He's in negotiations with Ramirez and Ramirez is opting out to improve his leverage. I'm not saying to blow it off and ignore the situation, but there's an excess of hand-wringing over it. If we're still in the same spot by next Friday, then it's time to really worry.

[BigbadB]

I have no faith that Aramis will be back. And Hendry better lose his job if Aramis signs elsewhere.

 

Losing Aramis would be the icing on the cake to what I would call one of the absolute worst hatchet jobs a GM could ever pull off in such short order.

[USSoccer]

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

 

Or maybe he's just using the time alotted to get the best contract he can. Now that Ramirez has opted out, Hendry will in all likelihood be forced to up the offer to sign him, which if history is any indication, is what's probably going to happen.

 

What history? I'd say it's far more likely that Hendry allows him to walk and signs someone completely lousy to play 3B than it is that Hendry actually pays a top 5 player at his position market value.

 

The history I was just talking about. While each situation is different, Hendry has always locked up the players he wants to keep. He's in negotiations with Ramirez and Ramirez is opting out to improve his leverage. I'm not saying to blow it off and ignore the situation, but there's an excess of hand-wringing over it. If we're still in the same spot by next Friday, then it's time to really worry.

 

Why Friday? He's had every day since the season ended to resolve this. No progress has been reported. Bruce can ever verify that they aren't anywhere close. Why be optimistic, or wait an arbitrary amount of days for pointing out that (once again) Hendry has screwed up and put our team in a terrible position? And again, there is no history for this situation. Hendry has never had a player as good as ARam be FA eligible.

[A New Era]

You guys ever think it's possible that JH offered 5/75 but AR wants MORE? It's possible AR might be asking for something like 5/85.

[frostwyrm]

I still think there's a reasonable chance Aramis comes back. Hendry really is desperate to save his job and has cash to spend. The Dodgers and Angels are more attractive desinations but Hendry could outbid them by a substantial margin. He's definitely what I would call a motivated buyer.

[USSoccer]

You guys ever think it's possible that JH offered 5/75 but AR wants MORE? It's possible AR might be asking for something like 5/85.

 

So? He's still worth that cost.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

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

 

Or maybe he's just using the time alotted to get the best contract he can. Now that Ramirez has opted out, Hendry will in all likelihood be forced to up the offer to sign him, which if history is any indication, is what's probably going to happen.

 

What history? I'd say it's far more likely that Hendry allows him to walk and signs someone completely lousy to play 3B than it is that Hendry actually pays a top 5 player at his position market value.

 

The history I was just talking about. While each situation is different, Hendry has always locked up the players he wants to keep. He's in negotiations with Ramirez and Ramirez is opting out to improve his leverage. I'm not saying to blow it off and ignore the situation, but there's an excess of hand-wringing over it. If we're still in the same spot by next Friday, then it's time to really worry.

 

Why Friday? He's had every day since the season ended to resolve this. No progress has been reported. Bruce can ever verify that they aren't anywhere close. Why be optimistic, or wait an arbitrary amount of days for pointing out that (once again) Hendry has screwed up and put our team in a terrible position? And again, there is no history for this situation. Hendry has never had a player as good as ARam be FA eligible.

 

Because it takes two people to sign the contract. Before now, it's not in Ramirez's interest to sign because he hasn't opted out yet, and the chance he might not works in Hendry's favor. Now that he's opted out, Hendry has to up the offer, and he'll probably do so. The next friday comment is in response to the amount of time we have exclusive rights to negotiate with Ramirez. If they're still nowhere close to each other near the end of that, then go crazy. But until now it wasn't in Ramirez's interest to sign, and it wasn't in Hendry's interest to up his offer.

[Mizzou]

You guys ever think it's possible that JH offered 5/75 but AR wants MORE? It's possible AR might be asking for something like 5/85.

 

So? He's still worth that cost.

Let me ask you a question, since you seem hell bent on resigning Ramirez. At what cost do you just tell him to walk away? What's the most you'd be willing to give him?

[TheDude]

Why Friday? He's had every day since the season ended to resolve this. No progress has been reported. Bruce can ever verify that they aren't anywhere close. Why be optimistic, or wait an arbitrary amount of days for pointing out that (once again) Hendry has screwed up and put our team in a terrible position? And again, there is no history for this situation. Hendry has never had a player as good as ARam be FA eligible.

 

Ramirez holds the cards, not Hendry. Ramirez dictates the pace of the negotiation, not Hendry. The stalling is primarily on Ramirez not Hendry.

[KingCubsFan]

I don't know what will be worse if Ramirez leaves. The fact that he's gone, or the idea of opening up the papers the next day and seeing idiot writers applaud the Cubs for not meeting the demands of a "lazy" and "selfish" player who wouldn't be able to meet the demands of Lou Piniella, complete with a reference to World Series MVP David Eckstein.

[USSoccer]

You guys ever think it's possible that JH offered 5/75 but AR wants MORE? It's possible AR might be asking for something like 5/85.

 

So? He's still worth that cost.

Let me ask you a question, since you seem hell bent on resigning Ramirez. At what cost do you just tell him to walk away? What's the most you'd be willing to give him?

 

More than 5/$90, I think, would be excessive. Although it depends. He's 28 years old. He's very productive. He plays an improving 3B. And most importantly, we'd be getting his prime years, which is key.

 

I'd shoot for something like 4/$65 or 5/$80. I'd even give him another opt out clause if he wanted. No trade? Done.

 

Understand that there's no point in announcing payroll increases and intentions of contending, and then letting your best offensive player walk over $3m per extra. If it means we have to deal Izturis or have to go with a young player on the bench instead of some washed up regular, so be it.

Edited October 30, 2006 by USSoccer

[USSoccer]

Why Friday? He's had every day since the season ended to resolve this. No progress has been reported. Bruce can ever verify that they aren't anywhere close. Why be optimistic, or wait an arbitrary amount of days for pointing out that (once again) Hendry has screwed up and put our team in a terrible position? And again, there is no history for this situation. Hendry has never had a player as good as ARam be FA eligible.

 

Ramirez holds the cards, not Hendry. Ramirez dictates the pace of the negotiation, not Hendry. The stalling is primarily on Ramirez not Hendry.

 

Nothing in your response speaks to what I wrote. I don't think Hendry is stalling. I think Hendry was stupid for allowing it to get to this point.

[A New Era]

You guys ever think it's possible that JH offered 5/75 but AR wants MORE? It's possible AR might be asking for something like 5/85.

 

So? He's still worth that cost.

 

I didn't say he wasn't worth that cost. I'm saying the stalling has more to do with Ramirez not accepting any offers, and possibly keeps upping the price as soon as Hendry offers a higher price.

[TheDude]

Why Friday? He's had every day since the season ended to resolve this. No progress has been reported. Bruce can ever verify that they aren't anywhere close. Why be optimistic, or wait an arbitrary amount of days for pointing out that (once again) Hendry has screwed up and put our team in a terrible position? And again, there is no history for this situation. Hendry has never had a player as good as ARam be FA eligible.

 

Ramirez holds the cards, not Hendry. Ramirez dictates the pace of the negotiation, not Hendry. The stalling is primarily on Ramirez not Hendry.

 

Nothing in your response speaks to what I wrote. I don't think Hendry is stalling. I think Hendry was stupid for allowing it to get to this point.

 

"He's had every day since the season ended to resolve this. No progress has been reported."

 

That is you putting the lack of progress of Hendry. That is what I responded to, and it is directly relevant.

[USSoccer]

Why Friday? He's had every day since the season ended to resolve this. No progress has been reported. Bruce can ever verify that they aren't anywhere close. Why be optimistic, or wait an arbitrary amount of days for pointing out that (once again) Hendry has screwed up and put our team in a terrible position? And again, there is no history for this situation. Hendry has never had a player as good as ARam be FA eligible.

 

Ramirez holds the cards, not Hendry. Ramirez dictates the pace of the negotiation, not Hendry. The stalling is primarily on Ramirez not Hendry.

 

Nothing in your response speaks to what I wrote. I don't think Hendry is stalling. I think Hendry was stupid for allowing it to get to this point.

 

"He's had every day since the season ended to resolve this. No progress has been reported."

 

That is you putting the lack of progress of Hendry. That is what I responded to, and it is directly relevant.

 

That's me explaining that giving Hendry an additional 2 weeks before starting to hand-wring. when he's had a month to get something done is silly. Why continue to be patient when the majority of the time has passed?

[ConstableRabbit]

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

 

Or maybe he's just using the time alotted to get the best contract he can. Now that Ramirez has opted out, Hendry will in all likelihood be forced to up the offer to sign him, which if history is any indication, is what's probably going to happen.

 

What history? I'd say it's far more likely that Hendry allows him to walk and signs someone completely lousy to play 3B than it is that Hendry actually pays a top 5 player at his position market value.

 

The history I was just talking about. While each situation is different, Hendry has always locked up the players he wants to keep. He's in negotiations with Ramirez and Ramirez is opting out to improve his leverage. I'm not saying to blow it off and ignore the situation, but there's an excess of hand-wringing over it. If we're still in the same spot by next Friday, then it's time to really worry.

 

Why Friday? He's had every day since the season ended to resolve this. No progress has been reported. Bruce can ever verify that they aren't anywhere close. Why be optimistic, or wait an arbitrary amount of days for pointing out that (once again) Hendry has screwed up and put our team in a terrible position? And again, there is no history for this situation. Hendry has never had a player as good as ARam be FA eligible.

 

Because it takes two people to sign the contract. Before now, it's not in Ramirez's interest to sign because he hasn't opted out yet, and the chance he might not works in Hendry's favor. Now that he's opted out, Hendry has to up the offer, and he'll probably do so. The next friday comment is in response to the amount of time we have exclusive rights to negotiate with Ramirez. If they're still nowhere close to each other near the end of that, then go crazy. But until now it wasn't in Ramirez's interest to sign, and it wasn't in Hendry's interest to up his offer.

 

Exactly.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

"He's had every day since the season ended to resolve this. No progress has been reported."

 

That is you putting the lack of progress of Hendry. That is what I responded to, and it is directly relevant.

 

That's me explaining that giving Hendry an additional 2 weeks before starting to hand-wring. when he's had a month to get something done is silly. Why continue to be patient when the majority of the time has passed?

 

Again, that's because there's no way Ramirez is going to get a good enough deal before he opts out. I don't have a problem with Hendry trying to get a good deal for Ramirez before he opted out. Now that he has, if Hendry doesn't up the ante he'll lose Ramirez and he'll be to blame. But just throwing up the number of days that he hasn't been able to ink Ramirez is pointless without context. And that context is that Ramirez has no reason to negotiate until he has leverage, and he gets that leverage once he opts out.

[TheDude]

Why continue to be patient when the majority of the time has passed?

 

Because, as I stated, he's not the one being patient. The other party in the negotiation is the one being patient.

[abuck1220]

You guys ever think it's possible that JH offered 5/75 but AR wants MORE? It's possible AR might be asking for something like 5/85.

 

then hendry should give it to him.