The Cubs are finishing up their first losing season since 2006; of course the focus is on next year. The latest:
- The Cubs "remain intent on taking a run at Joe Girardi," tweets ESPN's Buster Olney.
- The Red Sox "have a lot of interest" in Cubs third baseman Aramis Ramirez, reported ESPN's Bruce Levine in a chat yesterday. It is assumed Ramirez will exercise his $14.6MM player option for 2011, and the clubs would have to work around issues of a no-trade clause and an assignment bonus. Plus, I imagine the Cubs would have to swing another trade to find someone to replace Ramirez at the hot corner.
- Levine writes that "Adam Dunn is a top priority for the Cubs if they can afford him." We learned last month that Dunn likes Wrigley Field and Jim Hendry, but the slugger made it clear yesterday he's tired of discussing his future.
- Levine notes that Cubs ownership has indicated there will be a slight decrease in payroll for next year. Hendry might have to move a current contract or two to create flexibility.
- Cubs starter Ryan Dempster endorsed Mike Quade as manager, saying to CSNChicago's Patrick Mooney and others, "Heās done a great job and I hope that heās here longer than just this year (and) managing for us next year because he deserves it." Mooney also spoke to hitting coach Rudy Jaramillo, who's intent on honoring his three-year contract regardless of the team's manager changes.
Cubs should keep aram. He will hit 30hrs an drive in 100 next year.
Big expectations…
Those are his regular numbers when healthy, not big expectations. And Adam Dunn sucks.
Adam Dunn sucks? I will gladly take him on my team.
Then you will be happy with Dunn striking out at least 2-3x’s a game. Not to mention missing a lot of balls in the dirt on throws from short and 3rd base. You can keep him. I would rather see the Cubs be patient and take a run at Pujols. Especially if LaRussa leaves the Cards.
I disagree. the guy is lazy. He doesn’t run anything out. He doesn’t get in front of the ball and he lazily flips the ball to 1st, and expecially to 2nd. He’s a bad influence on Castro
Thank you Motelman. Ramirez is lazy but, I would keep him for one more year. He is in a contract year, most guys have career years when they know they’re playing for a contract. Also who is on that free agent list or who is out there that we can trade for to play 3rd base that potentially could produce 30 HR’s and 90 plus RBI’s, Also whoever takes the job as manager needs to put Soriano back in the lead off spot. He projects better HR’s and RBI’s when he hits 1st. So what if he hits a lot of solo HR’s hitting first. Ricky Henderson made a career out of batting first. And if he can hit a 1st pitch HR’s so what? At least your up 1-0.
Most people would disagree with putting soriano in the leadoff. But i can’t blame you. I think soto should be leading off. He has the highest on base percentage on the team, and its not like anyone else can steal bases.
If Aramis or Fuku is moved that would free up the payroll for Dunn in ’11. If Dunn would accept a normal “Jim Hendry” back loaded salary, money to sign him is a non-issue. DeWitt is not your prototypical third basemen at the plate, but can play the position and be a nice role player in the line-up. As for the second base hole, going out and trying to acquire maybe a Dan Uggla or pick up a FA like Felipe Lopez for cheap would not be a bad deal as ’11 is not going to be a championship year.
I think the Cubs are pretty well locked-in to the idea of an affordable DeWitt manning 2B next year.
I believe by trading Lee, Lilly, Fontenot and Theriot that was about 30 million there saving so they don’t need to make to many moves on salary I believe.
They didn’t save each player’s entire salary, just what was left on the deal. Not even that on Lilly, they sent cash with him to LA.
I think what David was refering to was that the salaries of those 4 players will not be on the books for next season. That would be 30 million in savings. If they do nothing else before the end of next season they would have about another 56 million come off the books with the expiring contracts of Dempster, Silva, Fukudome and Ramirez.
Felipe Lopez can play third
In Double A
Why in the blue h@ll do people want Adam Dunn when Pujols is out there? Do people think Pujols won’t leave the Cards? C’mon man that is typical Cub BS. Let’s go for mediocre when great is out there! Wake up people! How many times per bat does Dunn strike out compared to Pujols.
Aramis to the Sox… At this point, I just don’t see the Sox really trading prospects for anyone. Not really what they like to do. Especially if they see that they have a chance for Beltre with close to the same amount of money.
The Sox do have a few prospects that they will need to move, just because there isn’t room for them. But they’re not players that will net you a star, unless it’s basically a salary dump situation. I’m thinking guys like Nava, McDonnell, and Navarro.
They do have a surplus of outfield prospects at this point. However, Reddick (who was one of the most promising) had a down year and his trade value is most likely down. There is no way the Sox would trade Kalish. and McDonald was a 1 year deal.
I think McDonald is still prearb so they can retain his rights by tendering him a ML contract (unless a split contract negates that).
He’s been in the league for like 11 years.
He had 148 days of MLB service time before ’10.
I can’t see them giving up anything except like players of the 1st 2 you mentioned above if the Cubs don’t pay at least 2/3 of his salary and even then they will wait until Beltre signs.
Navarro is a fair at best prospect, where Nava and McDonald are really just 4th OF types at best that filled in pretty well this season.
Cubs pay 1/2-2/3 of his almost 15M and *might* get a fair prospect back, but I really don’t see that either, not when can move Youkillis to 3B and several rental 1B on the market, but you never know. Boston could give up on Anderson if the Cubs eat 1/2-2/3. Might be why he’s had a few AB’s this September with Rhizzo moving ahead of him in the eyes of the Sox brass.
If the Sox think Aramis will bounce back offensively, then the short term commitment may be more worthwhile to Theo’s long term plan than 4-5 years for Beltre. If Ramirez has a good year, turn down the team option for ’12, and offer arb, which he will probably refuse in search of a multi-year deal. If he has a bad year- bye-bye. This still keeps the A. Gonzalez-in ’12 dream alive. As for the price, if the Cubs eat some $$$, maybe 4-5M, the Sox could toss in Navarro, maybe even Anderson.
Aramis’ option is 14.6 mil. Beltre is gonna want more than that and a multi-year deal to boot.
The thought of trading Aramis reminds me of the 3rd base drought the Cubs suffered with between the times of Santo until Ramirez was acquired. This is not a good idea.Adam Dunn: I know everyone likes the three run homer, but that ability shouldn’t be what you build your team around. I want a team that can bunt, take a walk, hit doubles, steal bases and play solid defense. Ryno will demand that out of this team if/when he is named manager. If all you can do is hit home runs, and the wind is blowing in or you are in a slump, then you become an automatic out. The Cubs need a lot, but Dunn is not the answer. I realize you can’t believe everything you read, but if Adrian Gonzalez is interested in coming to the Cubs, TR needs to make that happen. I’m still waiting for TR to pull the trigger on a a big splash move to make this the Cubs competitive every season. The rich keep getting richer and poor keep getting poorer, so TR won’t go broke if he signs a big name player like Gonzalez. If Adrian is too big, then I not opposed to signing Paul Konerko. I would take Paulie over Dunn any day. The Cubs better hope Rudy stays with the team. As with anyone, it takes time for players to adapt to your philosophy. The Cubs need Rudy.
I don’t think the wind blowing in at Wrigley is going to cost Dunn as many homers as it would Adrian Gonzalez. And when a player averages 111 walks per 162 games like Dunn does, he’s not an automatic out even if he’s in a slump.Beyond that, if Sandberg (or whomever replaces Lou) demands bunts and steals from a cleanup hitter like Dunn who averages 30 doubles and 40 homers a year, the problem is with the manager, not Adam Dunn. Dunn’s defense is a legitimate issue, no one should argue otherwise, but he’s a very good (and exceptionally consistent) offensive contributor despite his unusual method of contributing.
I didn’t mean to imply that Dunn should bunt, just that you can’t always count on a three run homer to win every game. If Dunn walks, and the next guy can’t advance him via the bunt or double, then you still have the same old Cubbies Again, if the team struggles offensively, I would a least like someone who can catch the ball playing 1st. Defense needs to be considered.
I understand. I live in Cincinnati and have seen plenty of Adam Dunn walks that didn’t turn into runs. All other things being equal, it is more fun watching Joey Votto hit than the Big Donkey. It’s unconventional, but some Reds fans have long thought that Dunn would be better as a 2 hitter than a 4/5, just because it leaves better behind him to capitalize on his free bases.
About Dunn’s defense, I would actually take this season as a reason to be optimistic on him. It’s his first full season playing the position, and he’s already turned in a better season than Cabrera, Konerko, Howard or Fielder (using the admittedly variable UZR/150.) He’s doing most of his damage as a matter of poor range rather than errors, which at least suggests he’s not struggling with the basics. Dunn’s not going to be Derrek Lee or Adrian Gonzalez over there, but he’s not going to be so bad you’re praying the Cubs are realigned into the AL.
Dunn wouldn’t be my first option at 1B, especially as stacked as the NL is, but a team could do much worse.
I agree with KM. The Cubs beat the Padres 1 to 0 nothing. Scored their one run on a single, sac bunt & a single.
I meant to say 1 to 0 tonite. sorry.
I meant to say 1 to 0 tonite. sorry.
I agree with KM. The Cubs beat the Padres 1 to 0 nothing. Scored their one run on a single, sac bunt & a single.
What about Vitters at third lets get this rookie movement in full gear
Vitters is NOT ready for the big leagues.
Joey Vitters numbers for 2010 BA.275 OBP.317 SLG.435 OPS.753
According to Cotts Aram only has notrade clause thru this year so thats not an issue ( although he does get a $1m bonus if traded). He has hit fairly well 2nd half of the season – might be best to hold on to him and hope he starts hot and ship him out at deadline if need be. If he is the old Aram he could put up monster numbers at fenway and has shown more consistant play than Beltre who is great in walk years. Sox might be more comfortable with Aram for 2yrs $30 than Beltre for 4yr $60. Plus cubs don’t even know what holes there will be to fill – depends on who they can dump ( Sori, Fuku, Big Z). I would rather resign Nady and teach Colvin a little 1B then go all out for Agon or Fielder in 2012 then sign Dunn.
He has 10-5 rights, giving him the right to veto any trade he is in.
ARam won’t need a No Trade Clause, he’s a 10 and 5 guy now.
I’d rather get david wright but aramis will be a good fit. willnt cost that in prospects bc of contract.
I have to admit I really don’t like the idea of Adam Dunn going forward.Awhile back they talked about Loney possibly being a trade option,Id prefer to trade for him, and sink the money,younger,Lefty.I don’t trust Hendry’s Priorities anymore… Just the way I see it….
Yes, as a Dodger fan, I like this. PLEASE take James Loney and his .728 OPS off our hands so we can get a real 1B. Ignore his 3 year decline in OPS and just focus on all the RBIs he has. =)
What would a Loney to the Cubs trade look like?
A-Ram would be a nice back-up plan in case Beltre doesn’t come back. The Red Sox wouldn’t have to give up much to get him if they agree to take Soriano or Zambrano too š
Haha how much money in contracts is that? That would equal all of the money the Sox are freeing up and then some I believe.
Not anywhere close my friend. Sox will free up very near to $50MM in salary (per year) if they do not re-sign any of their existing eligible FA’s and do not exercise any options. More than $65MM is freed if they also non-tender their existing 3rd year arbitration eligibles. There’s definitely room in the salary structure to play with, but I doubt that Theo would want to soak up almost a quarter of his free money in taking a tag-along salary dump player (of Soriano or Zambrano) just to get Aramis.
Aramis 14.6+ Soriano 17 +Zambrano 18.3= 49.9 Much more than a quarter of the free money, my friend.
Kev, first, the “my friend” was not intended to be snarky. Obviously, you took it that way. Second, the proposal was for Aramis AND ONE OF EITHER Soriano OR Zambrano. So it would be Aramis 14.6 + Soriano 17 (31.6, of which the 17 is the tag-along; 17MM/65MM is 26%) OR Aramis 14.6 + Zambrano 18.3 (32.9, of which the 18.3 is the tag-along; 18.3MM/65MM is 28%).
Wow! I’ve been to math class!!
Why do the Red Sox need Ramirez at all? Can’t Youk play 3rd adequately?
More than adequately. Plus, we have a kid named Middlebrooks coming up the ranks who may well turn out to be an everyday 3B for us in 2012/2013 and beyond. If Beltre won’t take a 3 year deal, then I would go with moving Youk to third and finding a power-hitting 1B to replace him.
My guess is that dumping ARam would be mostly a salary dump. Cubs could fill alot of holes with $14 mill of the books. With regards to Vitters, that guy isnt even in the picture. In additon to being horrible at the plate ( .223 BA 7HR 26 RBI .676 OPS), he was horrible in the field and sustained an injury to the same hand that has caused him to miss time over the past 3 years. He’s only 20, but this guy looks like hes headed for bustville. Law and Callis have not had kind scouting reports on his ’10 performance.
Vitters is 20, and has adjusted to each level after a season, he isn’t close to bustville yet. He’ll have another year at AA, then a season at AAA, and then he’ll be ready in 2013.
Beltre>Ramirez, Rather resign Beltre who had an outstading year for the Sox!
If both are 100% healthy, I think I’d rather have Ramirez. While Beltre is the much superior defender, he also has a tendency to have a great contract year and lag behind for the other years of his contract. Of course, with Ramirez’s health issues and Beltre’s glove, I’d want Beltre as is.
Yea I think the Red Sox had their share of fun with injuries this year, not sure why they would want a guy coming off an injury filled year. Also Ramirez’s defense isnt too good as you said.
And let’s not forget that Beltre led the league by a wide margin in broken ribs inflicted this year. š
The difference between Adrian Beltre and Aramis Ramirez defensively is bigger than the difference between them offensively. They both have played 13 seasons, and Beltre has a career WAR that is double that of Ramirez. Then factor in the fact that Aramis hasn’t been productive over a full season since 2008 while Beltre has had an MVP type season. If Aramis doesn’t hit, like this year, he has no value at all. If Beltre has a down season, he still is valuable. Even in Seattle Beltre was a good offensive player, maybe overpaid, but the guy was clearly hurt by Safeco and will be helped by Fenway. I don’t expect him to be the MVP he was this year in Boston, but I fully expect him to be a 4 WAR player for the next 3 or 4 years, like he has been his whole career. There will be ups and downs but that will be the average. Aramis Ramirez is like Carlos Beltran in my eyes…a guy who could possibly be a great buy low candidate, but he’s just a fall back option, is making a ton of money, and no team should give up significant value to aquire them.
Dunn in a Cubs uniform would be Hendry’s final, epic blunder. Losing an excellent defender at 1B (DLee) is bad enough–replacing him with one of the very worst in baseball will erase a huge chunk of Dunn’s value with the bat. How many errors did Lee save Castro this year? A lot. How will the infield defense benefit from Dunn’s stone hands? They won’t. Defensive metrics have been around for a while now and most GMs have flagged the Jermaine Dyes of the world as a liability. Leave it to Hendry to give a ton of cash to a DH in the National League.
Dunn at 4 years 25 mil would be fine. The Cubs have no legitimate first base prospect, and don’t match up well with teams that do. Draft someone, sign Dunn, the prospect should be ready by the time Dunn’s contract is up. The Cubs will have a top 10 pick this year.
There is positively zero chance than Dunn signs for less than $10 mil a year, from what I’ve seen. Demand figures to be high for him, with the Red Sox and Yankees among potential suitors.
Yeah, but who on the Cubs has 30+ homers with 100+ driven in?
Adam Dunn,32, .264 AVG, 38 HR, 103 RBI
Cubs middle of the line-up start of 2010
Derrek Lee w/ Cubs-35, .251, 16 HR, 56 RBI
Aramis Ramirez- 32, .242, 24 HR, 79 RBI
Marlon Byrd-33, .297, 12 HR, 63 RBI
Alsonso Soriano-34, .257AVG, 23 HR, 78 RBI
So you could take the good with bad I guess. Dunn also wanted to play for the Cubs. He said that back in 09, but we decided to sign Milton Bradley. -___-
A-F’n-Men! Thank you! I still say we should try and see if the Cards might be willing to forego the option on Pujols and get him in Wrigley for 81 games.
Nationals are looking for a lead off man and have been linked to Kosuke Fukudome before trade him for a couple signed baseballs from Strasberg.
I could see if A-Ram does get traded the Red Sox have a deal with Ellsbury as the centerpiece.
Love to see a
C- Geovany Soto
1B- Adam Dunn
2B- Blake DeWitt
3B- Josh Vitters
SS- Starlin Castro
LF- Jacoby Ellsbury
CF- Brett Jackson
RF- Tyler Colvin
for the future
If this is the future, then i wont see even a division winner in my lifetime…unless we have 2 of the top pitchers in the league, but u have to have run support to when games to.
You must be insane if you think the Red Sox give up Ellsbury for Ramirez when they can just resign Beltre(who is better) without giving up anyone at all…That also creates holes in the outfield because Reddick and Kalish are still question marks. I also expect Cameron to be an expensive fourth outfielder at the start of next season.
Ellsbury as the centerpiece? Really? I think Jacoby is overrated and his value has taken a real hit, but Aramis has negative value at this point. There is no way Aramis Ramirez is traded for Ellsbury and more, cmon.
tampering with another team’s player”
———–
Because a “journalist’ drops his name that’s tampering? Epstein is doing a radio interview tomorrow and he’ll say nothing. They don’t comment on Cubs players or anybody else’s.
RS are not going to bring in a costly 3B at the end of his career. Even if he’s given away.
I would like to see the Red Sox trade for Ramirez. I think A-Ram is a perfect bridge to get to next years free-agency where Prince Feilder, and Adrian Gonzalez will likely be availiable. Also, there is no way Ellsbury is be traded for Aramis. Just no. Maybe the Cubs could get like Kyle Weiland and Michael Bowden for him but not Ellsbury, even though he is a Pus/y.
Jd drew for aramis?
Why? JD has struggled this year but he is still a very good baseball player. I think it is too early to commit to Kalish and he will benefit from another full season in AAA and be ready to take the reigns in 2012 when Drew leaves.
I bet if the sox make a deal I bet it’s either something like drew/dice-k for aramis or sox take all of aramis salary for aramis and Marshall (or a relife pitcher)
Give the Yanks a run….the Cubs…puhleeze. Billy Goat and black Cat have not left the building. And I am fourth generation Lincoln Parker. Go Yanks! Keep dreaming, Cubbies ; )
I have news for you, The Cubs signing Adam Dunn will not help them win the Division. The Reds, Cards and Astros are all better then them.. They could very well just re-acquire Jake Fox .. 5 yrs younger then Dunn with Equal or more power.. plus he plays 3rd, Catcher and the corner OF.. Trading A. Ramirez is a MUST… they might as well send him and his 15 mil to Boston for Ellsbury and then Trade Fukudome for a starting pitching.. then trade Zambrano and Soriano for a bag of weed and a large NY cheese Pizza.. that team should give the Cubs a vet. Catcher.. the Cubs haven’t had a good catcher since Joe Girardi.. Then again they have Wellington Castillo who is alot better then Soto..
Ramirez and 15mil for Ellsbury..
Fukudome and cash for Ian Snell.. Fukudome needs a change of scenery what better place then Seattle to play with Ichiro..
Carlos Zambrano and 75% of his contract for low level prospect..
Soriano and his entire remaining salary for 2 low to mid level prospects. where from doesn’t matter.. as long as he is gone..
DeWitt has little power but he can play 3rd but him there Castro stays at SS, Barney.. isn’t that great but move him to 2nd.. If he’s available sign Jake Fox for 1st base..
CF Ellsbury
SS Castro
RF Byrd
1st Fox
LF Colvin
3rd DeWitt
2nd Barney
C Castillo/Hill Soto as the emergency Catcher..
this lineup has speed and power..
Colvin/Byrd/Fox could get about 25 HRs each with the others getting about 25 between them 100 HRs for a 5th place team isn’t great but its okay.. then after 2011 Vitters will be ready for 2012 Trade Dewitt for a pitcher.. insert a power 3rd baseman.. the HRs will go from 100 to about 130.. Colvin will only get stronger.. and has the potential to hit 35 HRs a yrs..