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Aramis Ramirez

Aramis Ramirez Leaning Toward Exercising Option

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Aramis Ramirez is leaning toward exercising his $14.6MM player option for 2011, based on comments made to Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times:

"I want to stay here, but I've still got two months.  I haven't talked to my agent about it. But everybody knows I want to stay here. I guess I'm staying here [in 2011].''

Heading into the season, I thought a typical Ramirez campaign might prompt him to decline the option and seek a multiyear guarantee.  The 2010 season has not been typical, however, as Ramirez has limped to a .230/.286/.438 line in 311 plate appearances.  His poor play was limited to the season's first two months, and he's got nine home runs in July.  If Ramirez does exercise his player option, Adrian Beltre will be the only big name free agent at the hot corner.

Ramirez's 2012 mutual option is a large factor.  That has a $2MM buyout attached if the Cubs decline, meaning Ramirez stands to earn either $16.6MM for one year or $30.6MM for two, depending on what the team does. 

Cubs Could Face Major Changes In 2010 Offseason

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The Chicago Tribune's Paul Sullivan suggests that unless the Cubs have success in 2010, the team's roster could face a dramatic overhaul next winter.  Another disappointing season like their 83-78 performance in 2009 could lead to a rebuild, which must just thrill fans of a team has gone over a century without a World Series title. 

Sullivan notes that the Cubs' core of stars are all in their 30's, so let's take a look at the ones perhaps most likely to leave Chicago should the team struggle next season.  Manager Lou Piniella is on the last year of his contract, and would almost certainly not stick around for a lengthy rebuild.  Ted Lilly and Derrek Lee are free agents, and Lee has already said he doesn't want to begin negotiations on an extension during the season.  Perhaps the most intriguing case is that of Aramis Ramirez, who has the option of voiding his contract after the season or remaining with Chicago and earning $14.6MM in 2011.  (MLBTR's Tim Dierkes broke down Ramirez's situation last month.)

On the surface, the Cubs losing three of their top players and their veteran manager doesn't look like good news.  But, if the worst happened and all four left, the Cubs would suddenly be left with a lot of open money with Lee, Lilly and Ramirez all off of the books.  The trio is set to earn a combined $40.75MM in 2010 according to Cot's Baseball Contracts, and if Ramirez opted out of his contract, that would free up the $14.6MM owed to him in 2011 and the possible $16MM that he could earn in 2012 should he reach his vesting options.  

The Cubs would still have a lot of money tied up in the likes of Alfonso Soriano, Ryan Dempster and Carlos Zambrano in the short-term.  But, with the Lee/Lilly/Ramirez millions to spend and a minor league system ranked seventh in baseball by ESPN's Keith Law, a rebuilding process under a new manager (and probably a new general manager) might not be too long or painful.  It could give Chicago a chance to invest in some younger talent rather than re-sign Lee or Lilly.

Detroit’s 2011 Payroll Situation

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Once the Tigers traded Curtis Granderson and Edwin Jackson for four pre-arbitration eligible players, the thought was that owner Mike Ilitch was trimming payroll after the recession hit Detroit especially hard. However, he then approved a massive extension for ace Justin Verlander as well as the signing of Johnny Damon, and now his team's Opening Day payroll is expected to be somewhere around $130MM, up from $115MM last year.

Lynn Henning of The Detroit News wrote about the payroll savings GM Dave Dombrowski will enjoy after the season, which are pretty significant. Here's a look at the money the Tigers have coming off the books after the 2010 season…

That's $57.025MM in savings right there, and the team would be wise to avoid letting Magglio Ordonez reach the 540 plate appearances needed for his $15MM option to vest.

Ilitch isn't shy about spending big on the free agent market, and he'll have the money available to add a big bat to complement Miguel Cabrera (Jayson Werth, Aramis Ramirez if he declines his option?) as well as another elite starter to a rotation that already includes Verlander, Rick Porcello, and Max Scherzer (Josh Beckett, Cliff Lee?) after the season. Keep in mind that I was just throwing some names out there off our 2011 free agents list, and that the Tigers have not been linked to any of those players in any rumors we've seen.

The Tigers are already in a position to compete in the AL Central, and once they shed some dead money after the season, they'll have a chance to jump ahead of the pack if they spend wisely. 

Will Aramis Ramirez Opt Out?

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The Cubs will face uncertainty at the infield corners after the 2010 season.  We discussed first baseman Derrek Lee earlier today.  Now let's take a look at Aramis Ramirez's situation.

Ramirez faces a $14.6MM player option for 2011.  He also has a mutual option for 2012 at $16MM, with a $2MM buyout attached.  If the club exercises the '12 option and Ramirez declines, he forfeits the buyout.  There are also circumstances under which the '12 option can vest.  Basically, if he exercises his player option for '11, Ramirez will earn either $16.6MM for one year or $30.6MM for two.

Ramirez, who turns 32 during the season, has consistently raked in his Cubs career.  He has had his share of DL trips, with last year's shoulder injury limiting him to 82 games.  Even with a big 2010, Ramirez probably can't earn more than $15-16MM per year.  It is possible, though, that the free agent market would offer a three or four-year guarantee.  Ramirez told Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune he won't think about his opt-out clause until after the season.  A year ago, Ramirez said he wanted to finish his career with the Cubs.

Heading into the '06 season, Ramirez was in a similar situation.  He had the opportunity to void his contract after the season and leave three years/$33.5MM on the table.  He did so in October, but a month later signed a below-market five-year, $75MM deal to remain with the Cubs.

Cubs Sign Chad Tracy

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The Cubs officially signed infielder Chad Tracy to a minor league deal today.  ESPN's Bruce Levine and Jayson Stark first reported the agreement last night, which is worth $900K if Tracy makes the team and another $525K if he reaches 450 plate appearances.

Tracy, 30 in May, struggled to a .237/.306/.389 line in 288 plate appearances for the Diamondbacks last year.  Tracy's future looked bright in May of '06, when he inked a three-year, $13.25MM deal with the D'Backs coming off a .308/.359/.553 season.  But even then he was shielded against lefties, against whom he's never had success.  Tracy's left knee began to bother him, and he had microfracture surgery in September of '07.  A blood clot complicated his recovery.  In March of '09, Tracy told MLB.com's Steve Gilbert the knee was no longer a factor.

Tracy gives Chicago a left-handed reserve bat and corner infield backup for Aramis Ramirez and Derrek Lee.  The Rockies, Orioles and Mets had also shown interest in the veteran infielder, who will be changing addresses for the first time in his six-year major league career. 

Tim Dierkes contributed to this post.

Odds & Ends: Aramis, Marte, Lowe

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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, who turns 26 in November.  He was designated for assignment to make room for Juan Salas in February, cleared waivers, raked at Triple A, and then struggled in the bigs.
  • Braves GM Frank Wren told MLB.com's Mark Bowman that Derek Lowe "pitched really well for us."  Aside from his home run rate, Lowe's numbers declined across the board this year.
  • The Nationals will improve their minor league catching depth for next year, GM Mike Rizzo told MLB.com's Bill Ladson.
  • Miguel Angel Sano is on the backburner for the Orioles, Roch Kubatko of MASN learned from team president Andy MacPhail.  MLB's inconclusive age investigation is the problem.
  • David Waldstein of the New York Times says Ramon Pena, a special assistant to Mets GM Omar Minaya, will not be back next year.  Waldstein says a scouting/player development shakeup is in order.  Adam Rubin of the New York Daily News has info on possible changes aside from Pena.
  • White Sox closer Bobby Jenks is out for the season with a calf injury.  Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times wonders about the righty's future, given a possible $7MM arbitration reward for the 2010 season.
  • Andrew Baggarly of the San Jose Mercury News notes the impending raise for Giants closer Brian Wilson, who enters his first arbitration year.  Jenks' $5.6MM salary this year will serve as a comparable, so the Giants will add around $5MM to the payroll compared to Wilson's $480K this year.
  • Braves manager Bobby Cox was not happy with the way GM Frank Wren handled the John Smoltz situation last winter, according to Yahoo's Gordon Edes.

Aramis Ramirez Hopes To Finish With Cubs

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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 he thinks he can beat $14.6MM in 2011 and a $16MM club option/$2MM buyout for 2012.  He’s probably going to opt out or renegotiate if he thinks he’s worth more than a one-year, $16.6MM deal after 2010.  He’ll be 32 at that time.

Cubs Rumors: Fukudome, Dempster, Wood

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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, and does not believe either will be traded.
  • Ken Rosenthal figures the Cubs will re-sign Ryan Dempster and Kerry Wood.  However, he wonders if a three-year offer from another team could entice Wood.  Rosenthal says the Mets like Wood but can’t take on that kind of risk.

Cubs Considering Manny?

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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 object with six years and $106 million left on his contract, but the Dodgers will need two things if they don’t re-sign Ramirez—power hitting and another buzz guy."

Rogers cites bad contracts on both teams that could facilitate a deal, but I think this is a reach. The Cubs would need to deal Soriano or Aramis Ramirez, both with no-trade clauses, specifically to the Dodgers to free up enough cash to sign Manny who’s seeking a 6 year contract with "iconic money". This would also hinge on the contingency that the Dodgers would pass on Manny to acquire Soriano or Aramis Ramirez, both of whom paled in comparison this offseason.

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

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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 checked into Shawn Green, Geoff Jenkins, and Cliff Floyd.  No truth to the rumor that Green is considering retirement.
  • Brandon Inge hits the market, though he’s got three years and $19.1MM left on his deal.  Plenty of clubs are in the market for a third baseman assuming the Tigers will eat some of the contract.  Inge probably won’t be moving back behind the plate, by the way.

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