Aramis Ramirez

[Cubs Fan Dan]

2 things I would like to point out, over a full season Ramirez's number equate to about 28 HR's, 126 RBI's with a .919 OPS. If his shoulder was 100% this year does Aramis look like a guy who is taking the next step? I understand he is already a strong RBI guy but it looks to me that he and Lee next year are ready to put up their biggest year as a 3-4 combo.

 

My other point is with all the reasons why this team is out of the race, does anyone think that a healthy Ramirez all season changes this? I understand you can pull up how many wins a player is worth but that does not break down the day to day of having Ramirez in all these 1 run games the Cubs lost. The guy is a stud whos approach seems to be getting better every year. I think with him on the team in June this would be a different season.

[Keener98]

Umm I think Ramirez took a step forward about 5 seasons ago when he posted a 951OPS and followed that up with basically 900 or better OPS's in every season following.

[jersey cubs fan]

What next step? He is the player he's been for 6 years.

 

And there's no point in speculating about what could have been with a full season of Ramirez because other than being a consistently good player, he's also proven to be a guy who fairly consistently misses big chunks of time.

[inari]

This is probably Aramis' third best season as a Cub even stretched out over a full season. Next step? Eh.

[inari]

This is probably Aramis' third best season as a Cub even stretched out over a full season. Next step? Eh.

[Backtobanks]

2 things I would like to point out, over a full season Ramirez's number equate to about 28 HR's, 126 RBI's with a .919 OPS. If his shoulder was 100% this year does Aramis look like a guy who is taking the next step? I understand he is already a strong RBI guy but it looks to me that he and Lee next year are ready to put up their biggest year as a 3-4 combo.

 

My other point is with all the reasons why this team is out of the race, does anyone think that a healthy Ramirez all season changes this? I understand you can pull up how many wins a player is worth but that does not break down the day to day of having Ramirez in all these 1 run games the Cubs lost. The guy is a stud whos approach seems to be getting better every year. I think with him on the team in June this would be a different season.

 

As I've posted before, a healthy Ramirez and Soriano certainly would have kept the Cubs in contention. All teams have to prepare for injuries, but there's no way to prepare for the excessive injuries that the Cubs (and Mets) had this year.

[Little Slide Rooter]

2 things I would like to point out, over a full season Ramirez's number equate to about 28 HR's, 126 RBI's with a .919 OPS. If his shoulder was 100% this year does Aramis look like a guy who is taking the next step? I understand he is already a strong RBI guy but it looks to me that he and Lee next year are ready to put up their biggest year as a 3-4 combo.

 

My other point is with all the reasons why this team is out of the race, does anyone think that a healthy Ramirez all season changes this? I understand you can pull up how many wins a player is worth but that does not break down the day to day of having Ramirez in all these 1 run games the Cubs lost. The guy is a stud whos approach seems to be getting better every year. I think with him on the team in June this would be a different season.

 

One thing Ive thought about is say Ramirez is healthy all season, and this hypothetically translates to a better May and June. say were 5-8 games in 1st by the time the trade deadline rolls around. Do the Cardinals still trade their #1 prospect for Matt Holliday, and if they dont, do they still have the ridiculous August that they had?

[kroth1342]

2 things I would like to point out, over a full season Ramirez's number equate to about 28 HR's, 126 RBI's with a .919 OPS. If his shoulder was 100% this year does Aramis look like a guy who is taking the next step? I understand he is already a strong RBI guy but it looks to me that he and Lee next year are ready to put up their biggest year as a 3-4 combo.

 

My other point is with all the reasons why this team is out of the race, does anyone think that a healthy Ramirez all season changes this? I understand you can pull up how many wins a player is worth but that does not break down the day to day of having Ramirez in all these 1 run games the Cubs lost. The guy is a stud whos approach seems to be getting better every year. I think with him on the team in June this would be a different season.

 

As I've posted before, a healthy Ramirez and Soriano certainly would have kept the Cubs in contention. All teams have to prepare for injuries, but there's no way to prepare for the excessive injuries that the Cubs (and Mets) had this year.

 

Perhaps not prepare, but the Cubs could have dealt with the injuries better - say by taking Soriano out immediately after he was hurt. If this necessitated surgery, so be it, replace him with Fox. Showing too much deference to Soriano is the organization's fault.

[rynefan]

I think Ramirez is going to have a killer season next year. It seems that the shoulder is not near 100 percent just yet, but the offseason should take care of that.

[champaignchris]

Ram is, and has been since 2004, one of the most consistent players in the National League. You can pretty well chalk in 140 G, 30 HR, 100 RBI, .300/.390/.525 every year. I suspect, barring another significant injury, that's about what you'll see from him again next year.

[Clem Fandango]

Next year is a potential walk year for Ramirez. I know the walk-year production is a myth, but still... if he wants to opt out and test the free agent market, he might step up his game a bit next season

[jersey cubs fan]

Next year is a potential walk year for Ramirez. I know the walk-year production is a myth, but still... if he wants to opt out and test the free agent market, he might step up his game a bit next season

 

Or he might just do what he's done for 6 years and be really good.

[SouthSideRyan]

Next year is a potential walk year for Ramirez. I know the walk-year production is a myth, but still... if he wants to opt out and test the free agent market, he might step up his game a bit next season

 

He didn't step up his game a bit the last time he was able to opt out.

[Clem Fandango]

Next year is a potential walk year for Ramirez. I know the walk-year production is a myth, but still... if he wants to opt out and test the free agent market, he might step up his game a bit next season

 

He didn't step up his game a bit the last time he was able to opt out.

 

But he did play in 157 games, the most he's ever played in a Cubs uniform, when at the time he was always getting injured and missing a few games at a time because of nagging leg injuries. Perhaps he played through some of the pain that year, which he may try and do next year provided he doesn't have another freak injury like he did this year? Proving he's healthy enough to withstand a full season while providing the production he's already capable of will be impressive enough to possibly warrant opting out. The whole reason his numbers are skewed are because of injuries.

 

2006 also career bests in HR and RBI

[DiamondMind]

 

Or he might just do what he's done for 6 years and be really good.

 

I'll go with this answer.

[Wheelimus]

I'd much rather get myself to sleep at night with lies that ARam for a full season would have led us to the playoffs this year. A lot better than "it's all that bum " "'s fault" randomly inserting Bradley, or Z, or Soto, or Aaron Miles into that sentence.

 

Don't get me wrong though...Aaron Miles totally needs ran off this team in the offeseason. =D>

[jersey cubs fan]

I'd much rather get myself to sleep at night with lies that ARam for a full season would have led us to the playoffs this year. A lot better than "it's all that bum " "'s fault" randomly inserting Bradley, or Z, or Soto, or Aaron Miles into that sentence.

 

Don't get me wrong though...Aaron Miles totally needs ran off this team in the offeseason. =D>

 

The correct answer is Soriano, and it really is correct. Bradley and Z shouldn't even be in the discussion.

[Wheelimus]

I'd much rather get myself to sleep at night with lies that ARam for a full season would have led us to the playoffs this year. A lot better than "it's all that bum " "'s fault" randomly inserting Bradley, or Z, or Soto, or Aaron Miles into that sentence.

 

Don't get me wrong though...Aaron Miles totally needs ran off this team in the offeseason. =D>

 

The correct answer is Soriano, and it really is correct. Bradley and Z shouldn't even be in the discussion.

 

Thanks a lot. I'd created a perfect mental block that removed Soriano from all memory. Now you've reminded me that he's still on the team, still makes way too much money, and will be even older next year.

 

I'll be trying to kill those brain cells if anyone needs me...

[inari]

This seems like as good a place for this news as any.

 

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/chi-23-cubs-brewers-chicago-sep23,0,6770078.story

 

Aramis is going to base his decision on whether or not to opt out primarily on whether or not the Cubs field a winner next year. That's what he says, anyway.

[Guest]

This seems like as good a place for this news as any.

 

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/chi-23-cubs-brewers-chicago-sep23,0,6770078.story

 

Aramis is going to base his decision on whether or not to opt out primarily on whether or not the Cubs field a winner next year. That's what he says, anyway.

What is "a winner"?

 

They stand a real good chance to field a better than .500 team with little to no change in personnel.

 

If they make the playoffs, is that fielding a winner?

 

Do they have to make the series?

 

Do they have to win?

 

 

Aramis has been our best, most consistent player for a long time. But it wouldn't be the worst thing for the team for him to opt out of his contract.

[Clem Fandango]

If the team has no shot at winning next year (or at least looks like it midseason), I wonder if he'd waive his NTC if we were to trade him to a contender so long as he agreed not to opt out of his contract if he were traded.

 

Imagine the haul we could get for Aramis Ramirez at the trade deadline next year if he's healthy and producing like he normally does.

[TruffleShuffle]

i suspect that ARam's decision will have more to do with whether he can get $30.6M over 2 years on the open market than whether cubs are winning or losing in 2010.

[Gingerballs Lives]

Aramis is awesome and I hope he retires a Cub after winning 4 World Series.

[Burtonbell]

Cubs 3B Aramis Ramirez missed Tuesday's win over the Pirates with a sore shoulder. MLB.com reports that Ramirez could be shut down for the season.

(Updated 09/30/2009).

Fantasy Analysis

Ramirez has been plagued by injuries some this season but remains a must-start Fantasy option when healthy and active. That is what he'll be next season.

 

From Cbssportsline.com

Here's the mlb.com article, Gregg shut down as well.

 

http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090929&content_id=7228990&vkey=news_chc&fext=.jsp&c_id=chc

 

So does this mean Jake Fox will get some starts over there at third?

[Pushfrog98]

Cubs 3B Aramis Ramirez missed Tuesday's win over the Pirates with a sore shoulder. MLB.com reports that Ramirez could be shut down for the season.

(Updated 09/30/2009).

Fantasy Analysis

Ramirez has been plagued by injuries some this season but remains a must-start Fantasy option when healthy and active. That is what he'll be next season.

 

From Cbssportsline.com

Here's the mlb.com article, Gregg shut down as well.

 

http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090929&content_id=7228990&vkey=news_chc&fext=.jsp&c_id=chc

 

So does this mean Jake Fox will get some starts over there at third?

Are you crazy? Why would Fox get any kind of playing time when you have prospective talent like Bobby Scales and Aaron Miles on the bench?