The Pirates signed Aramis Ramirez as an amateur free agent on this date in 1994. Ramirez spent five and a half seasons with the Pirates before they shipped him to the Cubs. Here are the latest links from the only division Ramirez has ever known…
- The Brewers are talking about possible upgrades, but aren't close on completing any deals, according to Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports (on Twitter).
- St. Louis Post-Dispatch baseball writers are in general agreement that a deal between the Cardinals and Lance Berkman seems likely next year.
- Reds closer Francisco Cordero told Mark Sheldon of MLB.com that he would love to return to Cincinnati in 2012 and pitch under Dusty Baker again. The Reds have a $12MM club option for Cordero ($1MM buyout), who says he'd like to retire with the Reds.
- MLBTR's Tim Dierkes took a look at the upcoming closer carousel earlier today. Don’t forget to check out closernews.com for the latest fantasy news on relievers.
I have very mixed feelings about Cordero coming back next season. I really don’t think they should keep him at age 38 or 39 next year even though he greatly improved his amount of walks and hits given up this year over 2010. He has been pretty consistent.
If he goes though that means we need a closer or perhaps Chapman becomes the closer. I for one want him as a starter but I keep getting this feeling that the Reds see him as their future closer.
If Cordero would do a 2 year deal at maybe 8 million a year I might do that or a 1 year deal with a mutual option. If they decide to keep him they need to move Chapman to starting hands down. If they don’t I get the feeling they will take the money saved and get a good SS or LF.
Cozart might be the answer at SS but is he ready? He did very well in the short time up but then he got injured and so that leaves the Reds with questions there still.