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Talking Chicago Baseball was founded in February 2009 as a way for the authors to whine about the Cubs and White Sox. Now it is a top destination for all the latest Cubs and White Sox news and analysis. We have all the current news for both teams in Chicago and proudly do so with as much bias as possible.

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The Annoying Aramis Ramirez Situation | Print |  E-mail
Written by Justin Bridgman   
Monday, 23 November 2009 10:28

We've talked about it here before, but I think this subject bears repeating especially since it could potentially impact a number of teams. While Jim Hendry has been busy handing out long contracts that keep players in Cubs uniforms a bit too long with no way to trade them. For some reason though he won't do the same thing with Aramis Ramirez who for the second time in five years will have the chance to opt out of his contract come the end of 2010.

This makes the first half of 2010 extremely critical for the Cubs and potentially the short term future of the organization. With Derrek Lee and Ted Lilly coming off the books at the end of the season we might see a bad first half from the Cubs turn into a two or three year run of bad baseball aimed at creating a more competitive team. New owner Tom Ricketts has been pretty clear about not spending a lot of money right now, so perhaps a bad start opens the door for a complete rebuild.

If Jim Hendry goes to Aramis in mid-July and asks him if he wants to be dealt (he does have a full NTC) I suspect Aramis might want to be moved given that he has an out at the end of the season. He has two years and $30.6 million left on his deal after 2010, but going into free agency again at the age of 32. Depending on how the economy is he could be looking at one last monster deal from a team like Boston or the Angels. Opting out makes sense, but I think it might be best for all involved if the Cubs try to move him in July (if we are out of contention that is).

That would clear $14.6 million more off the 2011 books along with the $13 million of Derrek's money and $12 of Ted's that would be free too. When Fukudome's $13.5 comes off after 2011 the Cubs would be stuck with only one bad contract, and would be free to be big spenders again. If Ricketts really isn't going to increase payroll, then this will be the only way to get the team back into a World Series window like 2007-2009.

Think of the haul you could get back for Aramis at the deadline. .900 OPS third basemen don't come along often so there would be a huge market for him. I'm not saying this is something the Cubs need to do, or even should do, but if July comes around and we are out of the race it might be time to give up contending in the name of getting this team younger and more prepared for the years ahead.



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