2012 3B Options

[MWV]

With Ramirez' contract expiring at the close of the 2011 season, how do the Cubs fill 3B?

 

The FA list is not pretty (from MLB trade rumors):

 

Jose Bautista (31)

Wilson Betemit (30)

Casey Blake (38) - $6MM club option with a $1.25MM buyout

Jorge Cantu (30)

Eric Chavez (34)

Craig Counsell (41)

Joe Crede (34)

Mark DeRosa (37)

Greg Dobbs (33)

Edwin Encarnacion (29) - $3.5MM club option

Pedro Feliz (37)

Jerry Hairston Jr. (36)

Wes Helms (36)

Omar Infante (30)

Felipe Lopez (32)

Jose Lopez (28)

Melvin Mora (40)

Nick Punto (34)

Aramis Ramirez (34)

Miguel Tejada (38)

Omar Vizquel (45)

 

While I would prefer the Cubs not tender a lengthy extension to Aramis, he may be the most appealing option of the bunch. If he could be had for 1-2 years, that might be the best option.

No immediate heir to 3B springs to mind from within in the Cubs system (barring an improbably outstanding 2011 campaign from Vitters). Thoughts? Trade possibilities?

[imb]

i still have a big crush on encarnacion, but im assuming the reds pick up that option

[Derwood]

i still have a big crush on encarnacion, but im assuming the reds pick up that option

 

He's on the Blue Jays

 

Or is that the joke?

[Cubs Fan Dan]

I could see Rammy's option being picked up in Vitters proves he is only another year away. Out of that list though I would only keep my eye on Cantu, Bautista and Encarnacion. I think there are a lot of variables that will play into it, DeWitt could possibly slide over if needed. If Colvin's power is legit and the Cubs do land a big 1B(Fielder, Pujols) I could possibly see the Cubs sacrificing offense in the IF. My guess if Rammy has a good season he is back for one more year.

[XZero771679666304]

Much depends on how Aramis plays this year. If he plays well (.900 OPSish), I suspect the Cubs will pick up that option.

[Northside Blues]

Some other viable options are Garrett Atkins and Jorge Cantu, if they have backup solutions. I guess I can be the first to play the obligatory Pujols answer (I kid). Honestly, the Cubs have a chance to move Baker/DeWitt over there if we can get a better 2B/SS next year. The 2B market is attractive: Jose Reyes, Rickie Weeks, Kelly Johnson, Jimmy Rollins, and potentially Rafael Furcal and Brandon Phillips. Cano and Aaron Hill have options that will almost certainly be picked up. Bill Hall is another candidate.

 

Honestly, all of those guys are I'd prefer at 2B long term (or Castro to 2B if Reyes or Rollins are interested). I'd absolutely love for the Cubs to get Rickie Weeks. We'd finally have a lead off hitter type player to shut people up, and on top of that he actually gets on base and is good. It's a win-win.

 

I'd guess that Alex Gordon would be available on the trade market. They have Kila, Baker and shortly Moustakas/Hosmer/etc at DH/1B/3B.

[Clem Fandango]

i still have a big crush on encarnacion, but im assuming the reds pick up that option

 

He's not clutch

[SouthSideRyan]

If Bautista did that last year, imagine how good he'll do in his contract year Mojo

[MWV]

With Ramirez' contract expiring at the close of the 2011 season, how do the Cubs fill 3B?

Blah, blah, blah...

Did you forget about Aramis' option in 2012?

 

Yeah, I did.

[Sammy Sofa]

Unless Aramis just tanks this year I really just hope they exercise the team option and bring him back for 2012.

 

Hopefully he's just so amazing he wins the MVP and his 2012 becomes guaranteed.

[Cubswin11]

Some other viable options are Garrett Atkins and Jorge Cantu, if they have backup solutions. I guess I can be the first to play the obligatory Pujols answer (I kid). Honestly, the Cubs have a chance to move Baker/DeWitt over there if we can get a better 2B/SS next year. The 2B market is attractive: Jose Reyes, Rickie Weeks, Kelly Johnson, Jimmy Rollins, and potentially Rafael Furcal and Brandon Phillips. Cano and Aaron Hill have options that will almost certainly be picked up. Bill Hall is another candidate.

 

Honestly, all of those guys are I'd prefer at 2B long term (or Castro to 2B if Reyes or Rollins are interested). I'd absolutely love for the Cubs to get Rickie Weeks. We'd finally have a lead off hitter type player to shut people up, and on top of that he actually gets on base and is good. It's a win-win.

 

I'd guess that Alex Gordon would be available on the trade market. They have Kila, Baker and shortly Moustakas/Hosmer/etc at DH/1B/3B.

Weeks' bat is good enough to be at 3B, I understand shifting him from 2B to 3B marginalizes his value some, but he could be considered a 3B option on top of a 2B option

[imb]

i still have a big crush on encarnacion, but im assuming the reds pick up that option

 

He's on the Blue Jays

 

Or is that the joke?

 

well, im dumb.

 

ANYWAY, i still like him.

[Northside Blues]

Some other viable options are Garrett Atkins and Jorge Cantu, if they have backup solutions. I guess I can be the first to play the obligatory Pujols answer (I kid). Honestly, the Cubs have a chance to move Baker/DeWitt over there if we can get a better 2B/SS next year. The 2B market is attractive: Jose Reyes, Rickie Weeks, Kelly Johnson, Jimmy Rollins, and potentially Rafael Furcal and Brandon Phillips. Cano and Aaron Hill have options that will almost certainly be picked up. Bill Hall is another candidate.

 

Honestly, all of those guys are I'd prefer at 2B long term (or Castro to 2B if Reyes or Rollins are interested). I'd absolutely love for the Cubs to get Rickie Weeks. We'd finally have a lead off hitter type player to shut people up, and on top of that he actually gets on base and is good. It's a win-win.

 

I'd guess that Alex Gordon would be available on the trade market. They have Kila, Baker and shortly Moustakas/Hosmer/etc at DH/1B/3B.

Weeks' bat is good enough to be at 3B, I understand shifting him from 2B to 3B marginalizes his value some, but he could be considered a 3B option on top of a 2B option

 

Yeah but each of our 2B have more experience at 3B, it'd be easier to move them over (doesnt change the offense since Baker/DeWitt would be at 2B and Weeks at 3B or the opposite). Just leave him at 2B, and then we can upgrade 3B in a more traditional sense when there's something that fits.

[Rob]

If we don't bring back Ramirez and Bautista gets paid like he's on track to, I think our best bet may actually be Marquez Smith. I'm a believer he can peak as an average major league 3B for a couple seasons.

[KingCubsFan]

If we don't bring back Ramirez and Bautista gets paid like he's on track to, I think our best bet may actually be Marquez Smith. I'm a believer he can peak as an average major league 3B for a couple seasons.

It will be interesting to see how he does in AAA this year. When he was drafted, he was known for having great tools but being raw, so it's possible he's a late-bloomer.

[daske17]

I've mentioned it before, and one of these days it may be true!

 

If Ramirez opts out and if the Cubs are unable to lock down Pujols or Fielder, could the Cubs pull an upset and trade for David Wright?

 

Given the Mets financial trouble, he becomes the Mets' most expensive position player following 2011 with two years and $31 million remaining on his contract. Would they be willing to part with him for cheap pitching and possibly Vitters?

[Northside Blues]

If Ramirez opts out and if the Cubs are unable to lock down Pujols or Fielder, could the Cubs pull an upset and trade for David Wright?

 

Given the Mets financial trouble, he becomes the Mets' most expensive position player following 2011 with two years and $31 million remaining on his contract. Would they be willing to part with him for cheap pitching and possibly Vitters?

 

Not likely unless New York wants to go completely back to the building blocks. Jose Reyes ($11m), Carlos Beltran ($18.5m), Oliver Perez ($12m), Luis Castillo ($6m) and possibly Francisco Rodriguez ($15m w/ buyout) are all coming off the books after this season. That's around $60m.

[CUB51679667546]

Wow, not a lot of options under 30. Has 3B become unhip or something?

[Sammy Sofa]

Wow, not a lot of options under 30. Has 3B become unhip or something?

 

"Unhip?"

 

Most teams wisely lock up any young, good 3B they have for a long, long time.

[Guest]

Wow, not a lot of options under 30. Has 3B become unhip or something?

 

More and more guys who come on strong at the start of their careers are getting extensions that buy out several FA years. Think of Tulowitzki, Longoria, Zimmerman, Carlos Gonzalez, Votto, etc.

[Old Style]

VITTERS

[BigSlick]

I, too, always liked Encarnacion, because he seemed always like a decent hitter that never got any love. Apparently he can barely field at third though.

[champaignchris]

Barring a major injury this year, I'd be willing to bet that A-Ram is our starting 3B in 2012.

[UK1679666180]

Use that money towards successfully getting Pujols, they could put Vance @ 3B and still be in good shape.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Use that money towards successfully getting Pujols, they could put Vance @ 3B and still be in good shape.

 

Uh....have you seen me field grounders? It could get really ugly.