Will Lee and Ramirez be back in 2011?

[Ski]

Lee is at the end of his contract this year, and Ramirez has a $14 million player option. Will the Cubs resign Lee, and will Ramirez exercise his option, or will both become free agents? Lee will turn 35 this year, but could still put up decent numbers for at least two more years after 2010, I'm guessing. Ramirez is younger and better than Lee (besides last year and 2005) but would he make more than his option in free agency by opting out? Both of these players would be hard to replace at their current production level, Ramirez especially.

 

What do you guys think?

[17 Seconds]

it will all depend on how they each perform this season.

[mhuber92211]

Ramirez if definitely exercising the option. I vote to let Lee walk and thank him for his excellent Cub Career

[Sammy Sofa]

I hope they let Lee walk after his deal up and that they let Ramirez do the same if he opts out. Ideally, I hope they can reach an agreement with both to be able to trade them before their deals are up despite the NTC's.

[Cubbie Swagger]

I think I'd bring Ramirez back for awhile longer regardless. I think I'd keep him at least long enough to see if Vitters pans out as a Cub. As far as Lee, I would see how he does this season. But unless he puts up spectacular numbers again, I'd most likely let him go. Either that or sign him to a much cheaper 1 or 2 year deal.

[17 Seconds]

Ramirez if definitely exercising the option.

 

unless he has problems with his shoulder

[cubsfan5150]

I've got a feeling that we aren't going to be very good this year, so hopefully Lee and Ramirez play VERY well and we can trade them for some useful parts. Either way, I don't think either will be back with the Cubs in 2011. Our window is closed, no WS for a few more years at least.

[BCVM22]

I vote to let Lee walk and thank him for his excellent Cub Career

 

While that's a viable option as far as what to do with Lee, who then plays first base in 2011 [and beyond]?

[Guest]

it will all depend on how they each perform this season.

 

And what each demands after the year in terms of money and years for a contract.

[17 Seconds]

it will all depend on how they each perform this season.

 

And what each demands after the year in terms of money and years for a contract.

 

which will be based on how they each perform this season

[rocket]

I vote to let Lee walk and thank him for his excellent Cub Career

 

While that's a viable option as far as what to do with Lee, who then plays first base in 2011 [and beyond]?

 

they'll find someone. 1B isn't a hard position to fill.

[A-Cal]

there are a ton of free agent first basemen after this season...and we could always go the cheap route

 

i am ready for a change, i hope they are both gone

[Guest]

there are a ton of free agent first basemen after this season...and we could always go the cheap route

 

i am ready for a change, i hope they are both gone

 

Lance Berkman HOU *

Wes Helms FLA

Jason Giambi COL

Ross Gload FLA

Paul Konerko CWS

Derrek Lee CHC

David Ortiz BOS *

Lyle Overbay TOR

Carlos Pena TB

Albert Pujols STL *

 

Considering Pujols and Berkman will definitely have their options picked up, that's not a very inspiring list, and a certain downgrade from Lee.

[Cubs Fan Dan]

Maybe following Lee's departure Hendry or whoever is the GM can pull of a deal for Adrian Gonzalez. A sign and trade deal for him would be one of the best routes to go IMO.

[Little Slide Rooter]

We could always go for a 1 year deal for someone and then fo after Prince Fielder in '12. I know that they Brewers want to give him an extension, but I really dont see it happening on Scott Boras' watch, unless its one of those deals which cripple them financially for years to come.

[Tracer Bullet]

there are a ton of free agent first basemen after this season...and we could always go the cheap route

 

i am ready for a change, i hope they are both gone

 

Lance Berkman HOU *

Wes Helms FLA

Jason Giambi COL

Ross Gload FLA

Paul Konerko CWS

Derrek Lee CHC

David Ortiz BOS *

Lyle Overbay TOR

Carlos Pena TB

Albert Pujols STL *

 

Considering Pujols and Berkman will definitely have their options picked up, that's not a very inspiring list, and a certain downgrade from Lee.

 

Isn't Adam Dunn a FA after this year?

[Cubswin11]

there are a ton of free agent first basemen after this season...and we could always go the cheap route

 

i am ready for a change, i hope they are both gone

 

Lance Berkman HOU *

Wes Helms FLA

Jason Giambi COL

Ross Gload FLA

Paul Konerko CWS

Derrek Lee CHC

David Ortiz BOS *

Lyle Overbay TOR

Carlos Pena TB

Albert Pujols STL *

 

Considering Pujols and Berkman will definitely have their options picked up, that's not a very inspiring list, and a certain downgrade from Lee.

 

Isn't Adam Dunn a FA after this year?

Yeah, I most likely would like for us to let Lee walk. He has been very good for us but I think it's time to part ways. My top two options would be for Hendry to sign Dunn or find a way to make a trade for Adrian Gonzalez. If that doesn't work Overbay on a 1 year deal wouldn't be horrible and then we could wait and see for the next offseason when I believe Fielder and maybe Gonzalez are FA.

[Old Style]

I wouldn't be upset if we let DLee walk, especially if he is asking for too much. I am hesitant to say we should let Aramis go, though. When healthy, he has been a damn good player at a position that has been a black hole at Wrigley for decades. I hope he stays with the Cubs for a while, possibly moving to 1B in a few years.

[Burtonbell]

Who are this year's free agent 3B? The 1b list isn't that inspiring, but if the 3b list is even worse...next year could get ugly unless Hendry (or maybe whoever the new GM is) pulls a trade off.

[C.C.]

I'm placing my bets on Ram DH'ing for the Red Sox. Just got that feeling.

[dew1679666265]

Who are this year's free agent 3B? The 1b list isn't that inspiring, but if the 3b list is even worse...next year could get ugly unless Hendry (or maybe whoever the new GM is) pulls a trade off.

 

Here you go:

 

Garrett Atkins COL

Wilson Betemit CWS

Jorge Cantu FLA

Eric Chavez OAK *

Pedro Feliz PHI

Bill Hall SEA *

Brandon Inge DET

Maicer Izturis LAA

Mike Lowell BOS

Melvin Mora BAL

Nick Punto MIN *

Scott Rolen CIN

Ty Wigginton BAL

 

Off the top of my head, Cantu and Atkins might be of some interest.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

I think that FA list should tell you there's a pretty good chance Lee does not walk. I'm guessing two-year extension.

 

Ramirez will parlay his player option into a three-year option at slightly lower money.

[Roast]

I think that FA list should tell you there's a pretty good chance Lee does not walk. I'm guessing two-year extension.

 

Ramirez will parlay his player option into a three-year option at slightly lower money.

Would the cubs sign him to 3, though, with Vitters working his way through the system?

[Hairyducked Idiot]

Would the cubs sign him to 3, though, with Vitters working his way through the system?

 

Yes. And it'd be foolish of them not to for Vitters' sake, if they really want Ramirez.

 

You don't hold spots open for prospects, especially prospects who haven't seen a AA pitch yet.

 

Not directed at anyone in particular, but it's funny how every time the big league club's fortunes take a dip, people start latching onto prospects and writing out lineups five years in advance. How's that Kelton/Montanez/Choi infield working for us?

[Guest]

Maybe following Lee's departure Hendry or whoever is the GM can pull of a deal for Adrian Gonzalez. A sign and trade deal for him would be one of the best routes to go IMO.

 

While it would be great to land Gonzalez, the cost is simply not going to be worth it. He has 2 years left on his deal now, which means he will have 1 year left if/when Lee walks. Unless you can be assured of locking him up for the next 8 to 10 years, the talent you would have to give up to get him would be astounding. Gonzalez is dirt cheap this year and next. Anyone who trades for him will be giving up the farm.

 

The guy who traded Peavy and everyone prior to Peavy is gone. They have new ownership and a new GM who isn't going to just dump people for the sake of dumping them. Gonzalez is cheap enough that San Diego has no reason to trade him. Besides being from San Diego and a minority in a town that would love to increase their minority ticket sales, he's a classy individual that the town clings to now that just about everyone else is gone. He is one of their last hopes to put butts in seats in an economically unfriendly climate.