New NSBB Article on Ramirez

[CubinNY]

Manny doesn't have a history of leg issues.

 

Really?

How many years has that been an issue for him?

 

I know, I'm just giving you a hard time. :P

 

He's had some injury issues in the past, but nothing quite a serious as A-Ram's. Also, Lowell had no major injury issues whatsoever, as memory serves me.

I thought Lowell played through nagging back injuries for a long time.

 

But I'm going off memory there, so I could be mistaken.

 

Lowell had testicular cancer and has had back issues. Also he always seemed to fade in the second half of the season. I never liked him quite as much as I liked Aramis. But the point of your article is well taken and not something I thought of before I read it. You have at least one up on Paul Sullivan.

[Guest]

You have at least one up on Paul Sullivan.

LOL - I'm not sure how to take that! :D

[Laura]

What are you considering a long-term contract in this scenario? Anything over 3 years?

 

It's true, the Cubs didn't and don't have options. But they won't concede to a rebuilding effort. If nothing else, the Tribune Co. is breaking apart and they want to retain the short-term value of the asset. Which is worrisome in that Hendry will be under pressure to trade what few players of value in the farm system for another stopgap who can be easily labeled and marketed.

[BigbadB]

There are plenty out there of unathletic guys that fell off a performance cliff shortly after turning 30.

 

Yeah, we can go back and forth on this all day, but we pretty much agree that this Aramis deal isn't the deal breaker with Hendry. It started well before this.

 

And the list of failures is way too long to bother with right now.

[Guest]

What are you considering a long-term contract in this scenario? Anything over 3 years?

 

It's true, the Cubs didn't and don't have options. But they won't concede to a rebuilding effort. If nothing else, the Tribune Co. is breaking apart and they want to retain the short-term value of the asset. Which is worrisome in that Hendry will be under pressure to trade what few players of value in the farm system for another stopgap who can be easily labeled and marketed.

Unfortunately, there are no "A" players we'll be missing if Hendry did empty the farm system. There are some guys I very much want to see get a shot at the bigs, but at this point there are no top end prospects that I'd label as untradeable.

 

Which is at least as disconcerting to me as the current state of the 25 man roster.

[Laura]

Why trade the Bs if you can't good return?

 

Given the grim outlook, I'd rather hang on to a Pie for CF than trade him + a handful of take-your-picks for another Pierre.

 

eta: Of course, I retain high hopes for Gallagher & Veal being eventual contributors.

[Guest]

Why trade the Bs if you can't good return?

 

Given the grim outlook, I'd rather hang on to a Pie for CF than trade him + a handful of take-your-picks for another Pierre.

 

eta: Of course, I retain high hopes for Gallagher & Veal being eventual contributors.

I hear ya. It's still possible to make logical moves and put together a good team in 2007. It's just going to be really, really hard to do.

[Andy]

This and the other Ramirez thread seem to have been for naught. Ramirez signed. :D

[BigbadB]

I guess Tim and I can continue this discussion in 5 or 6 years. :D

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Quick, take the article down, Tim! ;)

[BigbadB]

Quick, take the article down, Tim! ;)

 

Wha???

 

It's his first article in eons. He can't take it down without a replacement. I'm sure he had a victory speech written up for this monumental occasion. Right, Tim?

[Guest]

I can't win. :D

 

Time to write a new article. I'd love to find out whether ARam got a full NTC in this deal before I celebrate too much, though.

 

O_O - I hope they'll use your logic here. Get a few more good years out of Aramis and then deal him before the cliff.

[jtownie]

I can't win. :D

 

Time to write a new article. I'd love to find out whether ARam got a full NTC in this deal before I celebrate too much, though.

 

O_O - I hope they'll use your logic here. Get a few more good years out of Aramis and then deal him before the cliff.

Unless the Cubs have really changed their philosophy they will do what they normally do and wait until he is fully off the cliff and then run him out of town while picking up most of what's left of his contract.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

I can't win. :D

 

Time to write a new article. I'd love to find out whether ARam got a full NTC in this deal before I celebrate too much, though.

 

O_O - I hope they'll use your logic here. Get a few more good years out of Aramis and then deal him before the cliff.

Unless the Cubs have really changed their philosophy they will do what they normally do and wait until he is fully off the cliff and then run him out of town while picking up most of what's left of his contract.

 

Correct.

[Outshined_One]

O_O - I hope they'll use your logic here. Get a few more good years out of Aramis and then deal him before the cliff.

 

One step at a time, imo. Hopefully, that cliff will turn out to be a soft hillside which starts in the 5th year of his deal. :D

[Soriano12]

Even with Ramirez, the offense was among the very worst in baseball. The Cubs now have to get at least two big bats to reach an average offense.

 

Can't really agree wtih that part of the article. Provided Ramirez continues his steady numbers, and D. Lee comes back 100%, this offense will be middle of the pack IMO. Now if the Cubs add even another big bat, say Soriono, or Drew(my prefered choice) and upgrade 2B(via a trade for Marcus Giles) I think this offense could be very good.

 

I can't stress how bad Gene Clines and Sarge Matthews were for this team.

They should not provide baseball instruction on any level.

[Guest]

the article is obsolete!

[NewUserName]

I know it is in hindsight but Tim I liked your article. It really frustrates me that the Cubs fans think that throwing money at the problem will fix it. Having a productive minor league system is the only way to be able to compete on a year in year out basis. That being said I was for resigning ARam. I am usually against signing big name free agents especially when the market is so weak. In ARams case though his age shows that he still has on average 4 prime seasons left. This in my eyes makes his case more similar to Beltrans. The average free agent is usually at the end of his prime years(CLee and Soriano) and his new team will be paying for production that they gave for the old team.

 

I do like the main point of your article. Its not so much that ARam may have left. Its that we would have been in a hopeless situation if he did leave. With so little on the team now and even less coming up in the next year from the minors the Cubs have painted themselves into a scary corner that throwing money at the problem may be the only immediate way out. Of course if we dont improve our minor league system we will only be digging a deeper hole for 2009

[Guest]

I can't win. :D

 

Time to write a new article. I'd love to find out whether ARam got a full NTC in this deal before I celebrate too much, though.

 

O_O - I hope they'll use your logic here. Get a few more good years out of Aramis and then deal him before the cliff.

 

By then Hendry will be gone. Trading him after three great years would be brilliant.

[Guest]

Even with Ramirez, the offense was among the very worst in baseball. The Cubs now have to get at least two big bats to reach an average offense.

 

Can't really agree wtih that part of the article. Provided Ramirez continues his steady numbers, and D. Lee comes back 100%, this offense will be middle of the pack IMO. Now if the Cubs add even another big bat, say Soriono, or Drew(my prefered choice) and upgrade 2B(via a trade for Marcus Giles) I think this offense could be very good.

 

I can't stress how bad Gene Clines and Sarge Matthews were for this team.

They should not provide baseball instruction on any level.

The article was written from the POV that ARam was gone. In which case, one extra bat in addition to Lee wouldn't have made the Cubs any better than average.

[Wilmo]

I can't win. :D

 

Time to write a new article. I'd love to find out whether ARam got a full NTC in this deal before I celebrate too much, though.

 

O_O - I hope they'll use your logic here. Get a few more good years out of Aramis and then deal him before the cliff.

 

In my best Forrest Gump voice. "You got magic fingers Lt. Tim."

 

Quick write an article on how the Cubs missed out on opportunity to sign Soriano and Zito. (insert any free agent you might want more)

 

Hell it worked with Ramirez. :P

[Guest]

I'd rather bemoan missing the bid on Daisuke!

[Guest]

Okay, my second article of the day is now up for your perusal. :D

[Soriano12]

Okay, my second article of the day is now up for your perusal. :D

 

What is your view on trying to get Zambrano locked up soon to avoid him hitting the open market next offseason?

[Guest]

Okay, my second article of the day is now up for your perusal. :D

 

What is your view on trying to get Zambrano locked up soon to avoid him hitting the open market next offseason?

If (and it is a big if) the Cubs are going to go whole hog this offseason and acquire another couple premier players, I'd love to lock up Z. But I'd probably hold off on that until the spring.