Aramis Ramirez Rumors

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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Paul Sullivan On Cubs Hot Stove

Could the hiring of Gerald Perry as hitting coach signal an era of change in Chicago? Thus far Jim Hendry has made a point of ignoring the free pass, but Perry is said to encourage a little patience. Of course, Oakland's walk mandate was organization-wide so we can't give Perry all the credit. Anyway, Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune has the word on the Cubs' latest hot stove dealings. - Final offer for Aramis Ramirez will probably come in Saturday night. - The Cubs wouldn't mind adding Dave Roberts as the new leadoff man. He walks at about 10%..   Continue Reading

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Kaplan: Cubs To Sign Ramirez By Saturday

An emailer writes in to inform us that Dave Kaplan of WGN Radio says that the Cubs should have Aramis Ramirez signed by Saturday or earlier. Apparently Ramirez is trying to squeeze out a few extra bucks but will stay in Chicago. After that, Cubs GM Jim Hendry can move on to other acquisitions. Gary Sheffield could be a prime target, though the Cubs are hurting for a veteran starter or two   Continue Reading

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Ramirez and Cubs Close?

I am hearing from emailers that George Ofman of WSCR The Score out of Chicago is reporting that Cubs sources indicate the team is close to a deal with Aramis Ramirez. Word is that it is for five years and a little over $14MM per year. Also, while we're on the topic, check out Fire Joe Morgan's latest. It's time intelligent people start fighting back against the whole Ramirez laziness thing with, I don't know, some logic or stats or something. And I must say I absolutely loathe the whole "well, we won/lost with this player on the team, so..   Continue Reading

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Unfounded Rumor: Aramis Ramirez

I have debated about posting this one because I can't verify the source. Some folks have confirmed that this is indeed in the ballpark, so I'm going to go with it. As you know, MLBTradeRumors doesn't pretend to be a newspaper, so I am just going to post this info under Unfounded Rumors because I can't get multiple sources to confirm. The beauty of a self-owned blog I guess. I am told that Aramis Ramirez's agent Paul Kinzer is asking for six years at $15MM per or seven years at $14MM annually. Jim Hendry's counteroffer: five years, $70MM guaranteed (11/12/15/16/16),..   Continue Reading

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Aramis Ramirez Opts For Free Agency

It's been reported by Bruce Levine on ESPN 1000 in Chicago that Aramis Ramirez has opted out of his contract and filed for free agency. Daily Herald sportswriter Bruce Miles calls it a formality, reminding Cubs fans that the Cubs still have the exclusive right to sign him for a while   Continue Reading

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And The Offseason Begins

The Cardinals have been crowned the unlikely world champs, so now it's time for all baseball fans to offically focus on 2007. Here's a roundup of the latest rumors. With the Tigers' season over, the consensus among local papers seems to be that they will trade some of their excess starting pitching for a slugger, possibly a first baseman. Some folks think Jeremy Bonderman's postseason performance (3.10 ERA in 20 innings) was a sign that he will take it to the next level in '07. Others think it's time to trade him with his value so high. Possible trade targets:..   Continue Reading

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Phils Unlikely To Pursue Aramis Ramirez

So, who's to fill the Phillies' glaring vacancy at the hot corner? According to this report by Randy Miller, it won't be possible free agent Aramis Ramirez. If you scroll down a bit, Miller mentions that Ramirez "won't be pursued." It's not a direct quote from Pat Gillick, though you get the impression Miller spoke to Gillick to write the article. All the quotes from Gillick tipped me off on this. (Link found via Beerleaguer.) The free agent market is barren, although Rich Aurilia might work. If Gillick wants to make a deal, he could go after Joe Crede, Mike..   Continue Reading

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The Sad Progression of Aramis Ramirez

It's been interesting to watch the Aramis Ramirez Situation develop. Here's what I've seen. Phase 1: Ramirez signs four year, $42MM contract with an option for '09. On the surface, it looks like security for both parties. In reality, it's more of a two year deal. Jim Hendry built in the chance for Ramirez to void the contract after 2006 if Ramirez thinks he can get more than the non-guaranteed three years/$33.5MM remaining. Media makes light of the out clause and Ramirez indicates that there's little chance he'd leave Chicago. Realistic fans realize that the contract gives the Cubs zero..   Continue Reading

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Carroll: Aramis Ramirez To Stay A Cub?

Baseball Prospectus's Will Carroll gave hope to Cubs fans everywhere in his chat today. When posed a question about Aramis Ramirez leaving the Cubs as a free agent, he responded: "I don't think Ramirez will leave. In fact, I think the deal's essentially done to keep him." I thought that one line was definitely noteworthy, as Carroll is known to have some solid Cubs sources. Last month, the Chicago Tribune's Paul Sullivan indicated that Ramirez would stay, while SI's Jon Heyman thought differently   Continue Reading

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Heyman: Aramis Ramirez May Become A Free Agent

It seems that SI's Jon Heyman has a different take than the Chicago Tribune's Paul Sullivan on the Aramis Ramirez situation. As you recall, Sullivan mentioned ten days ago that the Cubs believe Ramirez won't exercise his out clause and become a free agent this winter. It seemed curious, as Ramirez could easily top three years and $33.5MM for his age 29-31 seasons on the open market. Yesterday afternoon, Heyman commented: "Aramis Ramirez is telling friends that he plans to exercise an option to opt out of his contract with the Cubs. Ramirez...is also telling people he'd love to go..   Continue Reading

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Tribune: Cubs Believe Ramirez Will Stay

According to Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune: "While the Cubs still believe Aramis Ramirez won't exercise his opt-out clause after this season and leave $22 million on the table to become a free agent, they do have a third baseman in the system with a bright future. West Tenn's Scott Moore, a 22-year-old prospect who was a first-round draft pick of Detroit in 2002, is tied for second in the Southern League with 20 home runs and ranks third with 68 RBIs. Moore, who was acquired with Roberto Novoa from Detroit in the Kyle Farnsworth trade, is at least..   Continue Reading

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Maddux Leaves With Tip Of Cap

Many are speculating that Greg Maddux's excellent performance today against the Cardinals was his last as a Cub. He got the win and departed to a standard ovation, tipping his cap to the Chicago faithful. In other Cubs rumors, Will Carroll mentions today in his latest Will's Mill update that "the Cubs have received some indications that Aramis Ramirez is going to opt out of his contract at the end of the season, putting them in the same situation that the Brewers were in before moving Carlos Lee." Though many Cubs fans may not want to admit it, there's a..   Continue Reading

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Source: Cubs Turned Down Kendry Morales For Aramis Ramirez

A trusted Angels source gave me the scoop on the team's inquiries concerning third baseman Aramis Ramirez. Word is that Los Angeles offered first baseman Kendry Morales straight up for Ramirez and the Cubs turned it down. Morales, a 23 year-old Cuban defector, was called up to start for the Angels after hitting .311/.352/.463 in 42 Triple A games. He responded by hitting just .240/.302/.388 in 183 ABs between the 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th spots in the batting order. According to Baseball America, Morales's defensive deficiencies limit him to first base or DH. Still, a team could probably get..   Continue Reading

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L.A. Times: Angels Inquire About Ramirez, Tracy, Ensberg

We've heard Miguel Tejada as well as various mid-tier firstbasemen bandied about as possible trade targets for Bill Stoneman and the Angels. Mike DiGiovanna's article for the Los Angeles Times today also indicates that the Halos could pursue various slugging third basemen. Specifically, DiGiovanna mentions that the Angels have inquired about Aramis Ramirez, Chad Tracy, and Morgan Ensberg. Ramirez is on fire, hitting .329/.391/.763 this month with nine home runs. What some folks may not realize is that Ramirez has every reason and the ability to test the free agent market this winter. He would most certainly top the money..   Continue Reading

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Trade Rumor Roundup: 8 Days Left

To begin with, this just isn't true. With the Kearns deal and probably Soriano trade, the 2006 deadline just can't be classified as a dud. That honor belongs to 2005 for sure. The trading action never matches the buildup, but this year's still a good one. Read Ken Rosenthal's latest. The White Sox are in the Soriano game, the Rangers have interest in Luis Gonzalez, the Braves could add another reliever, Julio Lugo still might become a Blue Jay, and the Brewers look like sellers. In my opinion, some Brewers besides Carlos Lee that could be unloaded: Geoff Jenkins, Corey..   Continue Reading

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Now There's A Trade Rumor

This is a hell of a trade rumor, and it'd be wrong not to pass it along. According to the blog Bleed Cubbie Blue: "The Cubs are reportedly "in discussions" with the Yankees for a deal in which the principals would be Aramis Ramirez...and Alex Rodriguez...This deal, if it happens, might also include Jacque Jones, and other lesser players including prospects on both sides. This same source told me that the White Sox are "close" to acquiring Andruw Jones from the Braves; the price would be Brian Anderson and young pitching. That deal would also make sense for both sides...   Continue Reading

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