Cubs 3rd Base next year?

[waffle]

can we consolidate in one thread the group think on this? Yes, there are alot of unknowns (GM/Manager/$$$) but I think we could still make a good first pass analysis

 

Likely? Obtainable? Wishful thinking?

[bukie]

I'm not sure there is a consensus group think.

 

Ramirez was arguably the best offensive 3B this year in a severe down year for offensive 3B. If he declares for free agency, he's easily the best 3B option on the market, and yet is just a class B free agent, so the compensation for letting him go isn't great.

 

On the flip side, looking for a replacement from outside the organization is almost certainly going to considerably downgrade the offense from 3B the Cubs are getting, so the most cost-sensible option would likely be to piece together a 3B platoon from within the organization using assets like Baker, DeWitt, LeMahieu, Flaherty, or even Barney or Vitters, if we're really getting crazy.

[UMFan83]

The options other than Aramis seem really depressing considering he was one of the top 3-4 3rd basemen in baseball this year.

 

What's Steve Buechele doing?

[otis89]

Bringing Ramirez back is the obvious, logical choice, so of course the Cubs won't do it.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

Fangraphs and Baseball-Reference each have him giving back a huge chunk of his offense with poor defense and baserunning (FG has him at -14.3 runs in the field and on the bases). All in all, he was a 3.6 WAR player this year on both sites, and that was his best season in three years.

 

Looks to me like $15 million or so is basically neutral value for him. I could take it or leave it and not be unhappy either way. Replacing him might at least be out best chance to improve our defense and give our poor pitchers a break.

[jersey cubs fan]

Considering it is much more difficult to acquire other teams' free agents than keep your own I absolutely think they have to bring Ramirez back. Letting him go leaves you even more desperate for an enormous influx of talent for just a chance to contend next year. He's not a negative draw on the payroll, he adds production that nobody in the system is even close to providing, and he plays a position that is difficult to fill.

[SouthSideRyan]

Considering it is much more difficult to acquire other teams' free agents than keep your own I absolutely think they have to bring Ramirez back. Letting him go leaves you even more desperate for an enormous influx of talent for just a chance to contend next year. He's not a negative draw on the payroll, he adds production that nobody in the system is even close to providing, and he plays a position that is difficult to fill.

 

But at how many years do you walk away. Even 3 seems borderline to me.

[jersey cubs fan]

Considering it is much more difficult to acquire other teams' free agents than keep your own I absolutely think they have to bring Ramirez back. Letting him go leaves you even more desperate for an enormous influx of talent for just a chance to contend next year. He's not a negative draw on the payroll, he adds production that nobody in the system is even close to providing, and he plays a position that is difficult to fill.

 

But at how many years do you walk away. Even 3 seems borderline to me.

 

First things first I pick up his option, yesterday. If he voids it then I look to negotiate a 2 year deal, and if he insists on 3 then I look to make the terms a little more team friendly (maybe that 3rd year is a team option with a $2-4m buyout).

[Guest]

Sign Ramirez to a 2 year deal as long as you can get back extra salary from trading Zambrano or Soriano, or if the payroll increases. Without that, bringing back Ramirez hampers the team too much financially to make them a contender next year, and that's counter productive since Ramirez isn't a future cornerstone of the team.

[otis89]

Do the Cubs have anyone in the minors who could conceivably become a decent regular 3rd baseman at the Major League level? From what I've heard, Vitters' defense is absolutely atrocious.

[jersey cubs fan]

Do the Cubs have anyone in the minors who could conceivably become a decent regular 3rd baseman at the Major League level? From what I've heard, Vitters' defense is absolutely atrocious.

 

The guy they just drafted, Baez, may have to move to 3B eventually. But like Castro, I think they should, and will, try and get as much out of them as possible at SS.

[waffle]

I AM NOT CHAMPIONING THIS

 

but do you think the chatter about some day moving Castro to 3rd has any legs? Maybe filling SS would be easier?

[Magnetic Curses]

I AM NOT CHAMPIONING THIS

 

but do you think the chatter about some day moving Castro to 3rd has any legs? Maybe filling SS would be easier?

 

castro's value is at SS. so, not until he's old should we move him to third.

[El Duderino]

If you're going to move Castro anywhere it would be 2nd.

[mul21]

 

First things first I pick up his option, yesterday. If he voids it then I look to negotiate a 2 year deal, and if he insists on 3 then I look to make the terms a little more team friendly (maybe that 3rd year is a team option with a $2-4m buyout).

 

This is an ideal scenario in my eyes.

 

I AM NOT CHAMPIONING THIS

 

but do you think the chatter about some day moving Castro to 3rd has any legs? Maybe filling SS would be easier?

 

castro's value is at SS. so, not until he's old should we move him to third.

 

If he hits for power at the rate he did in the 2nd half of the year, I'm not sure this is true considering the considerable depth the Cubs have in the minors up the middle.

[Rob]

If Aramis leaves and ends up signing with the Angels (probably the most likely suitor based on past interest and a need for offense), I wouldn't be opposed to trying to make a move for Alberto Callaspo or Macier Izturis.

[sneakypower]

plan B: Ian Stewart

[minnesotacubsfan]

JASON DUBOIS

[jersey cubs fan]

I AM NOT CHAMPIONING THIS

 

but do you think the chatter about some day moving Castro to 3rd has any legs? Maybe filling SS would be easier?

 

castro's value is at SS. so, not until he's old should we move him to third.

 

His maximum value is at 1B, but it would not be outside the realm of possibility for him to hit more than enough to be a great 3B.

 

Ramirez hit 12 HR in his first 550 major league PA spread over 3 seasons from age 20-22. Granted, he was more of a power threat in the minor than Castro was, but Castro was still very young and developing.

[El Duderino]

plan B: Ian Stewart

 

dear god

[Backtobanks]

I posted a while ago that a reasonably priced Ramirez is my first choice, but maybe a deal for Chris Davis might be worth a shot. Still young, unfulfilled potential, left-handed.

[dew1679666265]

I've expressed this opinion once or twice, but I'd much rather pursue two cornerstone type players in their primes rather than bring back an injury prone, 34 year old (albeit still productive) player.

 

Thus, I'd rate the offseason targets as Pujols/Fielder, CJ Wilson, and then Aramis. If we can get the money for all three then that would be ideal, but I just don't see much less risk in bringing back Aramis than there is in pursuing Pujols/Fielder and Wilson. Primarily because even though we wouldn't have any competition in bringing Aramis back, the likelihood of him missing significant time is pretty high - meaning even if we bring him back we very likely wouldn't have his production for anywhere from 40-80+ games.

 

Then you add to that that Aramis would be a 1-2 year fix, while Pujols/Fielder and Wilson would each be long term solutions.

[KingKongvs.Godzilla]

I think they bring back Ramirez to a fair deal for both sides.

 

Other names I wouldn't mind hearing/seeing (Note: I have no suggestions on a how for any trade candidate this is just names):

 

David Wright

Chase Headley

Ian Stewart - Reclamation project.

Will Middlebrooks - Red Sox prospect who probably won't be able to usurp Youkilis. Sounds like a solid, albeit unexciting talent if there's a way to get him.

Chone Figgins

 

Doesn't seem very promising...Stewart's the only one I could see as an easy enough possibility. I really like Headley, who is a career .303/.364/.441 hitter away from Petco.

[KingCubsFan]

Edwin Encarncion should be available too

[imb]

Edwin Encarncion should be available too

 

I'm a big encarnacion fanboy. For some reason, I've always thought his defense was thought to be really good, but no idea where I think I heard that. I actually might have heard the opposite and have just been lying to myself to protect my delusions.