Aramis Ramirez is looking for a multiyear deal this offseason and it sounds like he’s prepared to test the market if the Cubs don’t re-sign him first. The Cubs have a $16MM option for the 33-year-old in 2012 ($2MM buyout). If they pick up the option, Ramirez will have to decide whether to accept or decline and become a free agent.
He has a .304/.356/.508 line with 25 homers, so other teams would figure to have interest, especially since he probably won't cost a draft pick. Here’s a look at some of the suitors agent Paul Kinzer may hear from this offseason…
Apparent Fits
- Cubs – Though Ramirez says he’d like to stay in Chicago, it will be hard to determine the team’s interest until they complete their search for a new general manager.
- Orioles – Chris Davis is auditioning at third base and Mark Reynolds has moved to first. The Orioles could elect to keep that pair in place instead of pursuing Ramirez. Keep in mind that they’re likely to have someone other than Andy MacPhail running baseball operations this offseason.
- Tigers – Brandon Inge is under contract for 2012 and Wilson Betemit hits free agency this offseason. Despite Inge’s success since returning from the minor leagues, he no longer appears to be the long-term answer for the Tigers. Promising 19-year-old Nick Castellanos just finished his first pro season and has yet to play above Class A.
- Angels – Alberto Callaspo has a knack for getting on base, so the Angels aren’t desperate. That said, they had interest in Adrian Beltre last offseason, which suggests GM Tony Reagins would consider upgrading over Callaspo.
Other Possibilities
- Reds – The Reds would discuss Ramirez if he hits free agency, according to Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune. Scott Rolen is under contract for $6.5MM in 2012 and the powerful Juan Francisco is another intriguing option.
- Rockies – The Rockies don’t have a long-term solution at third. Ian Stewart, Kevin Kouzmanoff and Jordan Pacheco are some more affordable internal options for Colorado GM Dan O’Dowd to consider.
- Brewers – Casey McGehee's production has fallen off, though third base doesn't figure to be Milwaukee's offseason focus.
- Dodgers – It's hard to say how liberally the Dodgers will be able to spend this offseason. They could decide to look for more offense than Casey Blake (out for the year after undergoing surgery for a nerve issue) and Juan Uribe (.557 OPS) offered at third.
- Astros – The Astros aren’t likely to spend big this offseason, regardless of if and when Jim Crane officially becomes the new owner. Chris Johnson has just a .650 OPS, though he is considerably cheaper than Ramirez.
- Marlins – The Marlins move to a new stadium next year, so they could have interest in Ramirez despite the presence of slick-fielding prospect Matt Dominguez.
- Athletics – Scott Sizemore has been a pleasant surprise for the Athletics, another team that pursued Beltre last winter. In theory the A’s could shift Sizemore into a utility role, but free agent hitters aren’t generally drawn to Oakland.
- White Sox – Ramirez likes Chicago and he offers more offense than Brent Morel. There’s talk that the White Sox may have to lower payroll, in which case another major free agent acquisition would seem unlikely.
Highly doubt the Tigers even try to pursue him. I don’t think they are going to throw the kind of money Ramirez will demand when they could just re sign Betemit and let him an Inge platoon until his contract expires. With Castellonos coming up, I just don’t see them locking up a 3B for anything more than 1 year this offseason when a cheap alternative could be found with a kid showing real promise down in the minors and appears to be about one or two more seasons until he’s ready.
Castellanos probably won’t be ready until 2014, and Castellanos can move to the OF for a year or so. Tigers should sign Ramirez to a 3 year deal.
Castellanos isnt coming up anytime soon.
I couldn’t stand to see sub two Inge for another year!!!! Sign him!
Castellanos lead A ball in hits, and they think that his power should probly develop. He hit lots of singles and doubles but not many hrs. Hope he can stay at 3d though.
In fact, DD was after him. Betemit was the default , panic driven, selection once Ramirez said he wont waive his non trade clause
After all of them scenerio’s Rami will be staying on the north side providing that they show him 13-14mil per for 3 years
3 yr 40 mil with a 14 mil team option and a 2 mil buyout sounds about right.
wrong side of thirty “veteran gamer” this has Ned Colletti all over it
Miles, Carroll, Blake, Mitchell, or Sellers will be at 3B next year. If LA makes a free agent splash go big and replace the parking cone at 1B (Loney) with Pujols.
I really can’t see Pujols signing with The Dodgers. Maybe if it was several years ago…
Considering their financial situation, I can’t see the Dodgers having the funds to sign a ham sandwich in the offseason. I can’t wait to hear Vin Scully say, “starting in left and leading off for the Dodgers, number twenty seven, a used oil filter.”
Well, they could go with the next best thing- Spam.
Spam, the poor man’s ham.
Considering their financial situation, I can’t see the Dodgers having the funds to sign a ham sandwich in the offseason. I can’t wait to hear Vin Scully say, “starting in left and leading off for the Dodgers, number twenty seven, a used oil filter.”
Brian Sabean will beat Ned Coletti off with a stick so he can be first in line to sign Ramirez.
The Mariners have 15-20M to spend over the winter, a hole at 3B, and an anemic offense. Assuming the 33 year old can repeat his 2011 numbers and not be a Figgin’s-like disappointment for the M’s, Seattle might be a pretty good match. However, considering Ramirez’s 2010 numbers and inevitable decline, offering more than 12M/Yr would be ill advised. A 3YR/36M deal would be a fair deal, and leave the M’s with 3-8M to work with.
in safeco, think adrian beltre without the defense
For the Mariners in the off season, it’s all about improving the offense. It is clear that Ramirez is declining defensively, but has had a solid year offensively. If he can hit for a .290 batting average with 20-25 home runs at the Safe, he would be a solid middle of the order bat. I know that Safeco field has a short porch in LF, but that doesn’t mean that the M’s should depend on a line-up heavy on left-handed hitters.
it doesn’t. but it does mean that they shouldn’t spend big on players whose principal (and in this case sole) asset is right-handed power
ramirez is a poor defensive 3B and does not walk a lot. that means his value is all tied up in hitting for power consistently. worse, he’s a dead pull right-handed power hitter. safeco is one of the worst places he could end up
Look at 2010 and the first half of this year. Those are the numbers you will be buying. He is a very streaky hitter and he is not the best at hustling.
The Astros? Really? They have Paredes who stole the job away from Johnson they will not be interested.
The Dbacks will have some cash to spend also and it would be an upgrade over Ryan Roberts
Roberts is a better defender and much cheaper. If the Dbacks were to explore for a new 3B it would have to be thru trade. Then Roberts would move to 2B.
So the Astros are a possibility but the Mariners aren’t? I find that hard to believe, we have about $20 million coming off the books after arbitration raises and if they don’t spend it on Fielder I have to think they at least consider Ramirez considering our current third base situation.
The Angels will pursue Aramis Ramirez.
what about the phillies… polanco sucks