Ramirez Opts Out
Submitted by cubsnet on Mon, 2006-10-30 23:09.
Aramis Ramirez is a free agent, bringing to fruition a favorable contract he received from Jim Hendry allowing him to enter the open market with two years remaining on his contract. I'm skeptical that he will be back. Which means that the National League's 2nd worst offense will have lost major league baseball's 6th best offensive third baseman in 2006. Ramirez has always been a below average defensive third baseman, but that kind of production is going to be difficult to replace, especially when the Cubs already have so many other needs (a centerfielder, a middle infielder, a platoon partner for Jacque Jones, a bench, and 2-3 starting pitchers).
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Mr. Ramirez, Please Don't Grin Too Openly as You Leave Town
While I found myself unsure of whether Ramirez was really a "great" this year, in the many weeks he hit as though he had a whiffle bat, he did turn in a great year end. All that said, he must be feeling pretty happy to leave the ANGST of Cubdom. Kind of like the Truly Greater Than Great and Truly Esteemed Mr. Greg Maddux.
So, what is the acquisition budget, anyway?
Respectfully,
FEARLESS BEAR
Re: acquisition budget
From what I can tell, there is $47M locked up right now, with Zambrano and Prior still needing to sign contracts for 2007. The two of them will likely add on approximately another $15M, putting the amount at $62M. Which would leave the Cubs about $40M to spend. If Ramirez returns, he'll likely get $13-14M of that. Plenty of money remaining. It'll be interesting to see what Hendry does with it.
Save the money, Get a "Superstar" for Superstar Money
I've always liked Aramis Ramirez, but I wonder if $15 per season is a little high for this kind of player. I know when you look at his stats as far as 3B go, but think of it this way. Would you think twice about throwing say $15 per year at Derrik Lee. Of course not, he's a machine at the plate, a golden glover, and up until last year very dependable. Maybe they should throw that $15 million at Soriano. Soriano hits well, steals 40 bases per year, and defensively is about the same as Ramirez (he led all outfielders in assists last year).
Then take the money they saved on Maddux & Wood and go after a couple of pitchers. You would need a 3B and that might take some creativity. It's a tough one. There aren't a lot of available 3B's. I just have a lot of trouble giving that kind of money for a decent player. Save the money go get Jim Edmonds, a couple of pitchers, and trade for a servicable thirdbasemen. The Cubs are really stuck on this one. It probably makes more sense to keep him and continue to build, but how greedy is he going to be?
Off season Baseball Calendar 2006-7
Here is a schedule of upcoming important dates in baseball...
Off season Baseball Calendar 2006-7
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2006/baseball/mlb/10/30/bc.bbo.baseballcalendar.ap/
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Photos from Ryne Sandberg Day at Wrigley Field
Ramirez...
A great player with a future. Unfortunately, he has been as such since joining the ranks of the Major Leagues. He truly is the player most likely to...Be a Great Defensive Player, A Great Offensive Player and A Great Leader. Problem is, he is such an underachiever. Watching him run the bases makes me want to gag on my snack foods during the games. A guy with so much talent just doesn't seem to care. Or, maybe he doesn't see it as the rest of us do. Either way, while I will miss him, I won't be missing his underachieving ways.
Re: Ramirez
Either way, while I will miss him, I won't be missing his underachieving ways.
I generally have the same feeling. I'll be happy if the Cubs re-sign Ramirez, because he's a good player, and the Cubs certainly need his offense. At the same time, I don't feel a lot of loyalty to him.