Cubs third baseman Aramis Ramirez is in the middle of his worst full season as a big leaguer, but that hasn't been enough to convince him to exercise his $14.6MM player option for 2011. Ramirez told Paul Sullivan of The Chicago Tribune that he's still unsure if he will pick up the option and return to the Cubs or use this as an opportunity to become a free agent for the first time in his career.
"That's going to be after the season," said Ramirez, referring to when he'll decide what to do with his option. "I don't know exactly when. I haven't talked to my agent about it. That's going to be in the offseason. They've got a lot of other things they have to address. I'm still under contract, so we'll see."
Ramirez said that the new manager, whoever that ends up being, will not be a factor in his decision. He also went out of his way to say that the team has more to worry about than his option, specifically mentioning first base, second base, and the pitching staff.
The 32-year-old has been one of the game's most prolific sluggers over the last half-decade, but he's bottomed out at .243/.297/.454 this year. It's worth noting that he's recovered from a brutally slow start to hit .316/.359/.632 since July 6th, so it's probably too early to write his career obituary just yet.
Ramirez is in the final season of a five-year, $75MM deal he signed after the 2006 season. If he picks up the option, the Cubs would then hold a $16MM option for his services in 2012. Even with his strong second half and track record, it's hard to imagine Ramirez getting $14.6MM for one season on the open market.
If he’s smart he’ll pick up the option.
Take that money and runnnnnn
Well if this isnt one of the more ridiculous stories coming into the offseason. Ramirez wouldnt get more than $7MM in today’s current (depressed) market. Adding into this are the rumors that his injury is very serious and he will probably end up being the next Eric Chavez, he’d be wise to take that money and run right to the DL.
Rumors that his injury is very serious? Got a link? Or is this the start of the rumor? So he started slow but recovered to the tune of a .991 OPS after the break but he couldn’t get more than $7 million for one year on the market? There are only one, maybe two good third baseman on the market this winter and Beltre is going to get north of $10 million and multiple years likely. Ramirez, with his track record, couldn’t get one year, $7 million? He’s the next Eric Chavez, even though he’s averaged 130 games a year including this year extrapolated, over the last 5 years?Nice.
If he can get himself 4/40 today he would be ill advised to pick up that option, especially with the uncertainty of the new CBA and what it will mean for aging veterans.
oh aramis, what are you thinking? you’re in line for another 5/$100M contract. opt out, opt out now!!!!!
sincerely,
a cubs fan
He’s played 1 too many seasons with Zambrano and Bradley and lost his mind.. What a maroon..
You know he might just be tired from losing with the Cubs.
He can come to the Jays and lose with us haha!
Lol.
I actually think Jays should keep Bautista at 3rd base. He’s played pretty decent there and there are always OF’ers available while there really aren’t any good young 3rd base are available. Move Wells to right and got a solid 2-way center fielder.
If pretty decent is someone who is leading the league in home runs with 46, having a WAR of 5.3 and a FLD% of .987, he’s “decent”.
ugh FLD%………
thats not a bad fld %. especially with 49* homers. most managers would take that.
thats not a bad fld %. especially with 49* homers. most managers would take that.
Nice use of the word maroon.
i hope he doesn’t pick up the option. The dude is a cardinal killer. im sure he could get a multi year deal on the open market, maybe he sacrifices less up front to get more guranteed. it’s not inconceivable with his injury history.
Yeah, it’s been done before though in this case it seems like a big risk to take considering he’d be turning down so much next year. I’m guessing this is coming from his agent. The agent probably sees a weak free agent market for 3b and wants to position Ramirez as the best option now to see what kind of interest there might be. If no one bites he’ll just pick up the option and play out the contract. I’m guessing he stays, too much money to walk away from.
“The agent probably sees a weak free agent market for 3b and wants to position Ramirez as the best option now to see what kind of interest there might be.”
But it’s not like 2012 is strong in 3B either:
Jose Bautista (31)
Wilson Betemit (30)
Casey Blake (38) – $6MM club option with a $1.25MM buyout
Mark DeRosa (37)
Greg Dobbs (33)
Edwin Encarnacion (29)
Wes Helms (36)
Obviously this list isn’t set in stone, but as of right now, Ramirez would still be the 2nd best 3B FA available going into 2012, assuming he bounces back at least slightly (his 2nd half is encouraging) to something like .275/.340/.475.
If you’re considering Jose Batista as the number 1 free agent in 2012, who told you he’s for real, this is a breakout season, the only one he’s had like that and for all I know it could be a fluke and he could go back to his usual .235/.301/.410 line.
True, it could be a fluke, and if he comes crashing down next season, he obviously wouldn’t be the #1 option at 3B. But as of right now, he is the best 3B option set to hit FA in 2012.
True, it could be a fluke, and if he comes crashing down next season, he obviously wouldn’t be the #1 option at 3B. But as of right now, he is the best 3B option set to hit FA in 2012.
If you’re considering Jose Batista as the number 1 free agent in 2012, who told you he’s for real, this is a breakout season, the only one he’s had like that and for all I know it could be a fluke and he could go back to his usual .235/.301/.410 line.
Smart choice: Pick up the option and rebuild your value. Big money this year and a long term contract in the future: win, win
If he rebuilds his value, the Cubs have a $16M club option on him for the following year. I actually think the Cubs are postioned nicely on this one.
If he rebuilds his value, the Cubs have a $16M club option on him for the following year. I actually think the Cubs are postioned nicely on this one.
I think he will pick up the option, otherwise why wouldn’t he agree to drop it prior to the trade deadline and be traded to a contending team (Braves)?
It’s all about his motives, honestly.
#1 priority is money? Pick up the option. I don’t think he matches it on the open market.
#1 priority is winning? Leave. I don’t see the Cubs as realistic contenders next year, despite the way they seem to be posturing like they’re going for it again instead of rebuilding. He’ll leave money on the table, but the reality is he’s already filthy rich and he’ll get a decent payday even if he leaves. His career is not unlimited and it looks like the Cubs will have at least another couple of bumpy years. (Insert Cubs joke here.)
Maybe the Red Sox can make him the 2011 Beltre.
Maybe the Royals will sign him and make him their own Beltre.
The point of him leaving would be to go to a contender. He won’t get 14.6mil guaranteed if he leaves Chicago and Wrigley is a good enough hitters park for him to have a good year. Not sure why he would take less money to go to the royals tbh.
I know. I meant it as a joke. But there is no way he declines.
oh lol. my bad
No problem. I’m used to you understanding my insanity though!
Siesta has always preferred the low accountability (and expectations) that comes with playing for the Cubs. All he has known is the Pirates and Cubs. He could have left the team back when he was a free agent but he stayed – reportedly for less money. The guy doesn’t want bright lights and pressure.
I don’t know about “the bright lights and pressure.” Cubs fans, Chicago media is pretty brutal to players when they don’t perform, and Ramirez has had some periods like that. The Cubs did have some high expectations some of the years he’s been there.
Career-wise, it might be best for him to go to the DH league. He’s been injured a lot the last few seasons, and it might do him a world of good to skip the fielding part of his duties occasionally. You know where he’d fit for the short term? Cleveland. Seriously. They could use some experience at one of their corners, and the 3rd baseman in waiting isn’t ready yet.
I really hope he picks up that option and screws the Cubs. With all the high salaries and no-trade clauses they hand out, this is just one more contract that’s pushing them into a corner. Seriously, who gives a PLAYER option? A mutual option, sure, but leaving it entirely in the player’s hands is beyond inexplicable, and beyond dumb, especially for over $14 million. Now they’re stuck with the contracts of Fukudome, Zambrano, Soriano, Ramirez… Their $146 million payroll earned them fifth place in their weak division. That is ludicrous.
The only way he walks away from $16 million ( $2 mil buyout of 2012 included ) is if the cubs play hardball with him. His no trade ends this year. Cubs can tell him he can control where he plays by opting out or he can play where they ship him. If they send him to a pitchers park and his injury habits resurface then he would be lucky to get a $2 mil deal in 2012. Personally I would keep him since cubs would have to eat most of the contract to trade him. If he starts hot – then trade him. If he craps out cut him. He is still useful – would rather cubs focus on dumping fukudome and soriano
He has 10 and 5 rights.
He has 10 and 5 rights.
hes going to pick up the option and say it is not about the money.
I’m a diehard Cubs fan and Aramis has been one of the best hitters in baseball for several years but he’s become inconsistent and injury prone. I’d rather he declines his option, leaving the Cubs with roughly $40-45M of money to play with (assuming the budget remains the same).
Maybe Aramis, and his agent, feel he could get a 3-4 year deal and would rather take the greater total of guaranteed money due to his inconsistency and rash of injuries.