Cubs claim Max Ramirez

[JeffH]

Considering he has options, i think he's more likely ticketed for AAA, and Koyie Hill will still be the big league backup.

 

Out of options.

[Little Slide Rooter]

Sounds like a slightly younger, defensively challenged Chirinos. Any chance they'll keep him in Iowa and try to convery him to 1st? As of no, theres no reason that Wellington Castillo shouldt have 1st dibs on the backup C job.

[Illini Iceman]

What is the deadline to release Hill before they have to pay him whatever they sign him for prior to arbitration?

[Cubs Fan Dan]

Rudy's influence?

[italianocubsfan7]

Bench as of now is: Colvin/Fukudome, Barney, Baker, Hill/Ramirez/Castillo, F.Perez

[Wrigley Rat]

Sounds like a slightly younger, defensively challenged Chirinos. Any chance they'll keep him in Iowa and try to convery him to 1st? As of no, theres no reason that Wellington Castillo shouldt have 1st dibs on the backup C job.

Typing with your nose again? ;)

[Northside Blues]

I like. Ramirez's bat could eventually play at a different position. Unfortunately, it's never played above AA.

[Omar]

Why did we let go of Henry Blanco?

[dew1679666265]

Sounds like a slightly younger, defensively challenged Chirinos.

 

Ramirez has a career minor league OPS 100 points higher than Chirinos'.

[Rob]

This was a solid acquisition. Even if he bombs, he can't possibly be worse than Koyie Hill. But he can be a hell of a lot better.

[haubrich91]

Love this move.

[XZero771679666304]

Like this move a lot. Just replaced Chirinos and then some.

 

But it just reminds me how vexed I am that the Cubs retained Hill.

[Old Style]

Why did we let go of Henry Blanco?

Hendry was afraid of Hank's tattoos.

[rawaction]

I don't see anyway Max Ramirez is ever the #2 C. The Cubs don't like Soto's defensive abilities, and no way they will back him up with a guy that's worse than him. I think Ramirez is a guy that will backup some at 1B and be the offensive catcher if Soto goes down again.

[videographer]

BA's scouting report from 2009

 

Background: Ramirez was traded from Atlanta to Cleveland for Bob Wickman in mid-2006, then shipped to Texas for Kenny Lofton a year later. He spent the first half of 2008 in a catcher/DH platoon with Taylor Teagarden before getting his first big league callup when injuries hit the Rangers in late June.

 

Strengths: Ramirez is a gifted natural hitter who works the count and drives the ball to all fields. His setup has a lot of movement before he gets into hitting position, yet he commands the zone well and is a good two-strike hitter. For the first time in his career, he began unlocking his plus raw power in 2008.

 

Weaknesses: Scouts question whether Ramirez can stay behind the plate, where his arm is fringy, his release is slow, his hands are stiff and his agility is below-average. His well-below-average speed could sabotage his chances of being a .300 hitter in the majors.

 

The Future: Ramirez played some first base in 2008 to improve his versatility, and his future might be as a first baseman/DH/fill-in catcher. Wherever he plays, Ramirez should hit enough to be a solid big league regular, perhaps as soon as 2009

[RynoRules]

Can he play 1B full-time in 2012?

[CubColtPacer]

Can he play 1B full-time in 2012?

 

There's potential there for him to but I'd have a hard time seeing a scenario where he would prove himself enough to give him the job barring a major injury to Pena or Soto this year.

[Guest]

With Ramirez being out of options, is he a replacement for Hill as Soto's main backup?

[Backtobanks]

He sounds like Ryan Doumit.

[BCVM22]

He sounds like Ryan Doumit.

 

Don't know if I strictly agree with that, but you could do a hell of a lot worse than a Ryan Doumit on your roster in a reserve capacity.

[davearm2]

I don't see anyway Max Ramirez is ever the #2 C. The Cubs don't like Soto's defensive abilities, and no way they will back him up with a guy that's worse than him. I think Ramirez is a guy that will backup some at 1B and be the offensive catcher if Soto goes down again.

I have to agree here. I think the folks that think/hope Ramirez will displace Hill on the roster will be disappointed.

 

More likely the Cubs see Ramirez as a bench bat that can start at 1B against tough lefties and do some catching in a pinch (or in the event of an injury to Hill or Soto). Given he's young cheap and has upside, there's still plenty to like even if he's not taking Hill's roster spot.

[Rob]

As much as the cubs FO has stressed defense behind the plate in recent years, I feel it's important to remember Michael Barrett. If Hendry is a big enough believer in his bat (which does profile similarly), he may be willing to overlook any defensive deficiencies.

[Splendid Splinter]

As much as the cubs FO has stressed defense behind the plate in recent years, I feel it's important to remember Michael Barrett. If Hendry is a big enough believer in his bat (which does profile similarly), he may be willing to overlook any defensive deficiencies.

 

 

I don't think it was the FO that has been stressing the defense compared to the managers... I mean Soto is good defensively while being very good to great offensively (in 2 seasons), but they still let Hill have a lot of ABs cuz of his supposed "defense" over Soto. I hope that the end of ST that they do end up releasing Hill and let Max be the backup C/1B.... That way Pena and Soto will a lot of starts while they can still have a day off once in a while and free up a bench spot/12th pitcher... I mean if Soto gets hurt, we can always call up Castillo. it's not like there's a shortage of C now that they have to keep Hill.

 

Even if Max hits like .230, he still brings value due to his OBP and some power where Hill brings nothing offensively IMO.

[davearm2]

If nothing else, this makes the loss of Chirinos that much more insignificant.

[dew1679666265]

Did Quade's usage of Soto/Hill match Lou's? I didn't pay enough attention late in the year to know, but I haven't heard similar comments from Quade on Soto's D compared to Hill's as I did from Lou.