Aramis....Aramis....Aramis

While the baseball world readies for a start of another Fall Classic, the Cubs have a lot of work to do before the end of the World Series when they can announce any deals or changes to the team. The first step will be locking up Aramis Ramirez, or will it? Ramirez is gaining more and more press on a daily basis in the Chicago area and in other Major League cities that is not New York. The Yankees and the Mets are probably the only big league, major market teams that can afford Ramirez that are not interested. Face it, as much as the Pirates would love to have Ramirez back, there is not any way they will be able to afford him. According to an article in Saturday morning's Chicago Tribune, there are 7-10 teams interested in Ramirez and his agent, Paul Kinzer, says that Ramirez "will be the hottest free agent on the market".

The longer Jim Hendry waits to end this soap opera that he created the better. The Astros are apparently interested in Ramirez....great the Cubs will get to see their former star 19 times a year until 2011. This should have never been allowed to go this long. The Cubs decided to keep him at the July 31st deadline when they could have dealt him to Angels and helped rebuild their Minor League system with some of the most promising talent around but instead they chose to keep him and now could lose him....with nothing to show but a bunch of cancelled checks.

According to the article by Paul Sullivan the Cubs will have to add a few years and a few million dollars to the $33.5 million they still owe him and the new contract will "lock him up" until 2011. The Angels have made him their primary target this off-season.

Julio Lugo's name joined the list of former players under Piniella that could join the Cubs next season. (Note: the CCO is going to help the mainstream media....if a player that ever played for Piniella and had little if any success....that player (insert name here) will be mentioned this off-season as coming to the Cubs).

The Miguel Tejada rumors are starting up again and with the World Series starting tonight, the Cubs organization is able to watch a few players that could have been in blue pinstripes.

Alex Rodriguez....enough said.

Let the push for Ron Santo begin and a note from the CCO to the Veteran's Committee....Please do not allow the same to happen to Mr. Santo that just happened to Mr. O'Neil. As human beings we are supposed to learn from our mistakes, not continue to make the same ones....over and over again.

Have a great Saturday and enjoy Game One...

Trevor

jim (Tinley Park),

lol, didn't see I typed "9", thanks for the correction. 9 would be pretty outstanding. :)

jim (Tinley Park)

Tervor:

A few thoughts....

* A-Rod has 2 MVP awards,not 9(2 more than Aramis)

* Aramis Ramirez is 3 years younger.

* Aramis Ramirez WAS A BETTER third baseman than A-Rod last year. A-Rod, actually sucked in the field.

* Offensively, A-Rod is a better all-around player, However, not so much that you would be getting a signicant upgrade when you consider the less than average defense.

If this trade was proposed 3 years ago, I would side with you.

Trevor

Ok time to dispell this "it would be a push" if we dealt Aramis for A-Rod somehow. Listen I don't think this is possible for the Cubs to make the deal anyway but A-Rod is a huge addition.

A-Rod: 9 MVP Awards.

Career .305 hitter.

Average 76 walks per year.

SB's each year since 2003: 17, 28, 21, 15

43 homerun per year average.

125 RBIs per year average.

Better Hustle than Ramirez.

Better defense than Ramirez.

Aramis: Career .279 hitter.

Average 43 walks per year.

5 total SB's since 2003.

30 homerun per year average.

104 RBI per year average.

This doesn't mean the Cubs can get A-Rod without losing too much, such as trading Big Z, which would be ludicrous. However, if you package a couple of prospects (which honestly how many great prospects do the Cubs have left?), along with Aramis and the Yanks are that disillusioned with A-Rod they pull the trigger on the deal, skip my Lou all flippin day because A-Rod is CLEARLY superior to A-Ram.

Jim

Why does everyone want A-Rod. That trade would be a push. We need to extend Aramis's contract and go after pitching, maybe a SS. Getting rid of Jones is a bigger priority to me than getting A-Rod. He looks awful when he is in the postseason.

Mordecai Brown

I have a suspicion the Cubs will re-sign Ramierez, then deal him to the Yankees for Alex Rodriguez. Is this just wishful thinking?

Larry

I may not be a huge fan of the lack of hustle that is often exhibited by Ramirez, but his numbers would be very hard to replace. The Cubs must resign him and then hope for a lot of luck this off-season to try and fill the holes that seem to be about everywhere on this roster.

jim (Tinley Park)

a couple of thoughts.....

* Why in the world Hendry gave Aramis an "out" clause two years ago is a head scratcher. Now he is pretty much going to be held hostage trying to extend and pony up some more years and cash. If he doesn't sign Ramirez we will be saddled with a David Bell type player at 3B.

* I don't know about anyone else, but I was thrilled to see the Cardinals win the pennant at New York the other night. It was priceless to see the NY Met fans weep in the stands. NOW YOU KNOW HOW IT FEELS!!!! SCREW YOU BIG APPLE!!!! Of course I will be pulling for the Tigers and I hope they sweep or at least win the clinching game in ST. Louis, so we can see the Cardinal fans all teary-eyed. I am actually getting a thrill thinking about it.

Anthony

I absolutely LOVE Ramirez's numbers. I, however, am not a huge fan of him as a player. Then again, I'm one of the few Cub fans that was never a big fan of Sosa. I want guys who HUSTLE and give 100% ALL OF THE TIME. I want a TEAM PLAYER. To date, Aramis has been none of these.........similar to another player I was never a fan of = Sammy Sosa. I would be fearful to see the reaction and ensuing statistics for Ramirez the first time Lou chews his lazy butt off. Believe you me, it would happen. Ramirez is a great statistical player, but he does not (at least up until this point) fit into the mold of an unselfish team player that is going to help a team win it all. He seems perfect for the Yankees. Lots of great individual talent, poor team atmosphere.

I am waiting to see how it all plays out, but I wouldn't shed a single tear if Aramis left (although he, and his numbers, would have to be replaced and that wouldn't be an easy task). At the same time I woudln't be upset if he stayed. As I said, I am interested to see how it all plays out.