Aramis Ramirez might be the best third baseman available this offseason and he knows it. The 33-year-old told Bruce Levine of ESPNChicago.com that he’ll be looking for more than the $16MM option that’s on his current contract.
"If I hit the marketplace I should end up with a two or three-year deal," Ramirez told Levine. "The reason is, there aren't a lot of third baseman available this offseason. But if [the Cubs] approach me, I'm sure we can get something done. But probably not for one year."
Ramirez repeated that he wants to stay with the Cubs, who have a $16MM option for 2012. If they choose the option over a $2MM buyout, Ramirez will have to choose whether to accept the option or decline and become a free agent. Since the Cubs don’t have a permanent GM at the moment, it’s difficult to predict how they’ll approach the option or whether they'll have interest in a multiyear extension.
Ramirez hit his 25th home run of the season tonight, joining Billy Williams as the only players in Cubs history with 30 doubles and 25 homers in six different seasons. Earlier in the month, agent Paul Kinzer said Ramirez will seek a multiyear deal and suggested a return to Chicago would have been more likely if Jim Hendry had remained the Cubs' GM.
And I want a pony. But, I guess he’s had a pretty decent year.
Good last 3 months. He was worthless until June. 2 homers and 19 RBI in April and May combined, when the Cubs really needed production. He’s had 20 or more RBI in each of the last three months!
Not worthless, just no power. The whole team lacked power for two and a half months. Too bad this team doesn’t play in warm weather all year.
The guy has power, he just had a down year. His real problem is that he is only productive when the Cubs have nothing to play for but pride. He disappeared in the Dodger playoff series, and he never is truly productive when the games truly mean something as far as contention goes.
monthly wOBA
.333 (league average)
.317 (below)
.381 (very good)
.383 (very good)
.430 (awesome)
.351 (good) (9 games in sept.)
a league average bat at third isn’t worthless (ask half the teams in the league) — especially when it morphs into a very good one, as ramirez’s almost always does
Why does he want to stay with the Cubs that badly? They have no chance of winning. Is it because his power numbers will go away at a normal size ballpark?
Are you trying to be witty or are you serious?
Wrigley plays like a slight-to-moderate pitcher’s park, and allows home runs at a rate slighter lower than league average. It has for some time, despite the wrong impression someone can get by seeing a game on one of the days when the wind blows out.
good bat but no glove. angels?
Tony Regains says no thanks, he doesn’t get paid enough.
After the Tigers win the WS and shed some payroll they should have the money for a F/A…
After the Tiger drop back to reality and get chased out of the first round, their fans will riot.
He’ll be an Angel next year. I also hope Fielder is an Angel in 2012. That team needs a star like Fielder
Angels fan said this same thing about Crawford and Beltre last year.
Angels fans kept saying that b/c EVERY media outlet were saying it for months….majority of fans don’t have thoughts of their own…they just adopt what the media says….reason Obama is pres…lol
hopefully they can trade vernon wells and his contract for some decent pieces as well.
No one, I mean absolutely no one, will take Vernon Wells off the Angels hands.The Angel front off should all have their heads examime for trading for Wells.
No, they should all be fired. I mean really.
D-Backs for 3 years is my prediction. Ryan Roberts to 2B.
The Rockies should consider ARam a backup if the Mets aren’t serious about dealing Wright.
Hard to see him getting Beltre type annual salary. not only is he 2 years older, far worse defensively than probably the best defensive 3b in the game with a cannon for an arm, but ramirez has missed significant time in both 2009 and 10 with injuries and been streaky at the plate.
His chance to get 16m for 2-3 years was shot when the Cubs fired hendry.
Ramirez isnt leaving chicago any time soon. He will resign with the cubs for about 3 yrs 42 mil with a team option for a 4th year at 15 mil with a 3 mil buy out my crystal balls say.
I think you got the four and the two flip flopped.
8 mil per year would be awesome but rami wont sign that not even for staying with the cubbies, he has a big head because he is the best 3rd base option on the free agent market and is well aware of it.
I don’t disagree with your reasoning, I just don’t see a team giving him $14 MM per year for three years.
With Ned Colletti admitting we need a bat this offseason and as the bids for Fielder and Pujols skyrocket, maybe ARam will be the bat that is picked up.
I know it’s wishful thinking, but maybe the Dodgers keep Loney around if only for his stellar defense and pick up ARam to replace the decrepit Blake at third. Keep Gordon and Uribe up the middle with Sellers the cheap super utility. And put Sands in Left field with Juan Rivera as the 4th OF (and back up 1B when Loney inevitably slumps)
Then focus the rest of the money on securing Kemp and Kershaw on long term deals.
Just my two cents.
BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH
Then focus the rest of the money on securing Kemp and Kershaw on long term deals.
I agree with the last sentence but not the blah blah blah part. Remember your owner is Frank f’in McCourt and he is broke and a soap opera diva.
I’m a Cubs and Aramis Ramirez fan, but if he wants a multi-year deal at 16 per then I say bye bye. Ramirez might be the best 3B on the market, but he won’t be the only 3B free agent. I’m not sure if signing Pujols or Fielder is also an option for the Cubs. The Cubs need starting pitching and bullpen help. The new GM should be hired as soon as possible so we can get an idea on what kind of team the Cubs are going to be built.
The Cubs bullpen is actually pretty solid. Not an area of concern.
The bullpen might need some one if the internal talk of putting JS back in the rotation.
He isn’t exactly an equalizer for that bullpen. No reason Chris Carpenter can’t fill that role if he does move to the rotation.