Aramis Ramirez Rumors

Odds & Ends: Aramis, Marte, Lowe

Links for Wednesday... Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune talked to Aramis Ramirez about his $14.6MM player option for 2011, and the Cubs' third baseman was noncommittal. Other third basemen who may become free agents after the 2010 season include Garrett Atkins, Jorge Cantu, Mike Lowell, Jhonny Peralta, and Scott Rolen. Former top prospect Andy Marte spoke with Indians GM Mark Shapiro about the future, according to Paul Hoynes of the Cleveland Plain Dealer. Shapiro told Marte to play first and third base in winter ball and show up early to Spring Training. It was a tough year for Marte,...   Continue Reading

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Aramis Ramirez Hopes To Finish With Cubs

Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune talked to Cubs third baseman Aramis Ramirez, who hopes to finish his career with the team. He already displayed loyalty by leaving significant money on the table to re-sign in November of 2006. It should be noted, though, that Ramirez became a free agent in '06 because he opted out of a contract that had three years and $33.5MM left on it (assuming 270 games played in 2007-08). Ramirez's current contract could potentially run through 2012, but the new deal has an opt-out clause as well. Ramirez can void his contract after 2010, if...   Continue Reading

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Cubs Rumors: Fukudome, Dempster, Wood

Let's check in on the Cubs' offseason plans. Cubs manager Lou Piniella says the Cubs will move Kosuke Fukudome to center field to platoon with Reed Johnson. This move implies Jim Edmonds won't be back. Technically Edmonds could play right field, but he also needs a platoon partner. The Cubs figure to be in the market for a lefthanded hitting right fielder. Piniella expects the team to fill their holes via trade. Brian Giles, Randy Winn, and Jeremy Hermida could fit the bill. Bruce Miles of the Daily Herald reminds fans that Aramis Ramirez and Derrek Lee have no-trade clauses,...   Continue Reading

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Cubs Considering Manny?

From the speculative rumor mill, Phil Rogers of the Chicago Tribune suggests Manny Ramirez could be what the Cubs are missing, and the opportunity to bring him to Chicago could be there this offseason. Says Rogers, "With the aggressive nature of general manager Jim Hendry and the anything-to-win approach in the Lou Piniella era, don't rule this out—not if the Dodgers would take on a big contract or two from the Cubs... There's no way the Cubs can play two left fielders, so [Alfonso] Soriano would have to go for Ramirez to come. Soriano seems to be essentially an immovable...   Continue Reading

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Crasnick's Latest: Hamilton, Figgins, Andruw, Inge

Jerry Crasnick filed more rumors ripe for discussion. The Reds may consider trading Josh Hamilton, but not to an NL Central team. There was nothing to the Hamilton-Cubs rumor anyway, according to Bruce Levine. And now officials from both teams have debunked it. The Cubs actually want to add two left-handed hitting outfielders, for some reason. Beyond Kosuke Fukudome, Geoff Jenkins remains on the radar. Jim Hendry likes Chone Figgins, but the Angels would ridiculously ask for Aramis Ramirez in that one. Scott Boras is still saying Andruw Jones isn't looking for a one or two-year deal. The Rays have..   Continue Reading

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Rosenthal's Latest: Bonds, Nathan, Barrett

Ken Rosenthal has a new rumor column up. Feels like it's been a while. Rosenthal thinks it's a sign of desperation that the Angels would entertain signing Barry Bonds, who doesn't fit in with their club. His OBP would fit in anywhere, but he would tie up the DH spot at the expense of Juan Rivera and Vladimir Guerrero. The Cubs are expected to bring Daryle Ward back at $1.2MM (makes sense) and Steve Trachsel at $4.75MM (questionable). Cubs fans can only hope Trachsel would be considered a tradeable asset, as Rosenthal opines. Rosenthal also quashes the idea of trading..   Continue Reading

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Odds and Ends: Aramis, La Russa, A-Rod

A random smattering of links this morning... I wrote a postmortem on why the D'Backs beat the Cubs over at The Hardball Times. Just a whisper at the moment, but I'm hearing that the Angels could pursue Aramis Ramirez if the Cubs make him available. They were in hard on him last year when he was briefly a free agent. Seems that Joe Torre is done as Yankees manager, but Tony La Russa is not interested. Another important date to mark down: November 10th. That's when Alex Rodriguez decides whether to opt out of his contract. Right after the GM..   Continue Reading

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Crazy Cubs Speculation

My apologies in advance for those who think this site is a little too Cubs-centric. The Needs and Luxuries post was my fault, but it's only natural for all of the local writers to speculate on ways to improve the club for 2008. I know some of the Cubs fans who frequent MLBTR take some abuse for off-the-wall speculation. Jacque Jones for someone of value, for example. But honestly, the published newspaper speculation isn't any better. Barry Rozner takes his knee-jerk shots at Aramis Ramirez, who was awful in the three-game set against Arizona. According to Rozner, A-Rod is a..   Continue Reading

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Cubs Retain Aramis Ramirez

Wow - an about face on everything we've heard lately about Aramis Ramirez. I was just reading about this complete failure and nodding. Ken Rosenthal reports that the Cubs have re-signed Ramirez. The deal is for five years and $73MM, a significant hometown discount. There's also a mutual option for 2012, his age 34 season. Did you know 34.6% of Ramirez's batted balls were flyballs in both 2005 and 2006? You learn something every day. Talk about consistency. The Cubs re-signed Kerry Wood as well. He got a deal that could reach $6MM if he meets various bullpen and health..   Continue Reading

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Aramis Ramirez To Test The Market

With Aramis Ramirez now available to the highest bidder, the Cubs figure to have yet another vacancy to fill. Trying to win in 2007 with this core of players will be a huge challenge for Jim Hendry and Lou Piniella. A Cubs source of mine tells me that Hendry offered the original six year, $90MM contract that agent Paul Kinzer wanted. Kinzer of course rejected it, as he feels his client is worth Beltran money now. The Cubs camp is not happy with Kinzer after this situation as well as Rafael Furcal last winter. The strained relationship may stop the..   Continue Reading

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