Aramis Ramirez visited the Angels in the past week and a contract offer is likely coming soon from the team, reports Ken Rosenthal and Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports. The Angels were one of 4-5 teams with a "serious interest" in Ramirez, according to agent Paul Kinzer; one of these other teams could be the Tigers, who checked in on Ramirez in early November.
Signing Ramirez would give the Angels a nice trade chip in current third baseman Alberto Callaspo, who posted a .288/.366/.375 line last year and can also play second. Los Angeles could have a wealth of infield depth with Callaspo, Maicer Izturis and whomever doesn't get the bulk of playing time at first base between Mark Trumbo and Kendrys Morales.
Also from Rosenthal/Morosi, the Brewers have inquired about Ramirez's services, with the plan of installing Ramirez at third and having a platoon of Mat Gamel and Casey McGehee at first. Milwaukee has shown interest in a number of free agent infielders this winter, including Jimmy Rollins, Jerry Hairston Jr., ex-Braves shortstop Alex Gonzalez and possibly Japanese import Hiroyuki Nakajima. Sources tell Rosenthal and Morosi that the Brewers aren't interested in Jose Reyes at his current asking price.
Kyle Buttermore
Worst thing that can happen is he’ll say no.
Alan Hanson S. Mafra
Worst thing is he’ll say “YES”. No, we do not need another Gary Matthews Jr, for Heaven’s sake!
RyÅn Krol
Not even close to that. The Angels actually have a table setting at the top of the order since Bourjos will be leading off. If the Halos sign A-Ram then that takes pressure off what to do with Abreu. He can just sit in the 2 hole with his patience and his surprising ability to steal bases and take the extra base. The Cubs didn’t have that at all. With the terrible table setting Chicago had, I can’t believe A-Ram still managed 93 RBI.
cookmeister
Bourjos will not lead off unless he hits well in spring training
Alan Hanson S. Mafra
Yet I have my reservations about his hability, he’s likely to have at least a .280/.350/.500 line, which is an improvement, at least in terms of power, from what we have.
I was talking about his attitude off the lines. If anything comes up to his mind, he may mess um the locker room… Don’t you recall a DH/1B called Shea Hillenbrand?
Lastings
Relax, Reagins is gone.
ogueira
Ramirez is by no means Gary Matthews Jr.
Joesebastiangarcia
so whats the offer you guys would think?
Jonathan Dario Romo
Aram would provide us with power, not my personal top move, but if it helps us win a championship; I’m all for it.
RyÅn Krol
Takes a lot of pressure off Scioscia when deciding what to do with Abreu.
Diablo 2
I hope if A-ram signs..That they sign Kuroda for 1 yr.. Then they trade Abreu and Alberto in a package for some pen help
Angelsfan1066
Please do not pay this guy to much money!! Hes old!
notsureifsrs
*other team signs ramirez*
“angels say they never really wanted aramis ramirez”
Dick Armada
Seriously, if they even GET their bid in this time, it’ll be an improvement from last off-season.
Sincerely,
Carl “I Never Heard From The Angels” Crawford
Matt Tolich
we have a GM with a brain this year… and probably not much competition for Ramirez. chances are, we’ll get a bid in this time. 🙂
ByeByeREX
Think 2/25 with club or mutual option for 3rd year gets it done?
Melvin McMurf
too much
ogueira
As an Angels fan, I think that’s a fair deal.
Dick Armada
3/63
Oh wait, Reagins is gone
Angelsfan1066
3/45 is what gets it done
Melvin McMurf
way too much
Matt Tolich
don’t really want. i’d rather have CJ Wilson and Callaspo at 3B
ByeByeREX
Can they afford both?
OCAngels
nope, only have 10-20MM to play with
RyÅn Krol
If that were really accurate they wouldn’t even be talking to A-Ram, and maybe not even Wilson.
Matt Garza (the #4 starter), Chris Ianetta (already acquired the catcher), Frank Francisco (the much needed reliever), and Wilson Betemit (for IF depth) is what they’d be going for all the way if Dipito only had $10-$20 million to work with.
Baseball-reference.com projects the 2012 payroll (with Weaver’s extension kicking in + other contracts + arbitration) to be around $135 million.
I think $140 million may be part of Arte’s PR strategy.
Dick Armada
They only need a #4 pitcher, they might go after Buerhle or Oswalt for cheaper money than what Wilson wants.
Diablo 2
They can Afford A-ram and Kuroda..
cookmeister
Why are you so in love with Kuroda. There have been no evidence that there is any mutual interest and Kuroda basically already said LA or Japan. And no matter how much you love Arte and friends, LA does not mean the Angels.
Diablo 2
I ain’t in love with Kuroda he just a beast for cheap..And Also Dodgers have made it clear they won’t re-sign Kuroda..To much money for them and besides they signed Chris already…AND Angels are interested in Kuroda..Go to Angels site and it tells you. I aint the only one that love him..And why wouldn’t Kuroda want to sign with us super close to home and still gets to see his buddies on and off the field..Its either LAA or Japan..And for Angels Its either Kuroda or Harang..and I prefer Kuroda coz yes im in LOVE with him =)
cookmeister
Are you Lyle Spencer’s son? I suggest not reading into much of what he claims the Angels have interest in.
Diablo 2
Ya i am.. And my dad didn’t say that he just wrote down what Jerry said =)
OCAngels
over pay for Aram or over pay CJ. We only need a 4/5 starter, so I’ll pass on CJ.
Diablo 2
I hope its 14M or less 15M per yr max… He wouldn’t even be 3B he would be DH
Don Brockus
i hope its two years with a club (or mutual) option
Lefty
Headline: Should be Dipoto Has No Clue!
OCAngels
hell Ya!
Paul Ip
3 x 14 will definitely get it done. i think 2+1 yr club option x 12 is fair and what the angels would offer. after 2012, he can be used partially at dh as well.
JacksTigers
Probably 3/37.
ByeByeREX
Dipoto looks like he might be stockpiling infielders now. He has to have some trades in mind for pitching if he signs ARAM. What would a package of Callaspo or Izturis plus Conger bring us in terms of pitching? Are the Braves a fit as they have a ton of pitching surplus?
Dick Armada
Conger is the catcher when he’s ready. His road split was pretty good, they won’t let him go so soon.
fejimanz
IF this move gets made (and i don’t really see it happening) there would be trades coming after that with Izzy and Callaspo becoming expendable, and hopefully we can get bull pen help with those trades. I also don’t think he’d spend a whole heck of a lot of time at DH, there are a lot of people that need to get ABs there, and IF (big if) Kendrys is able to come back to be a serviceable 70-80% of what he used to be, all of his ABs would be at DH to not put lateral stress on his ankle…
Moseyah
Angels need some middle of the order batters. Aram will help. Hunter, Abreu, Trumbo are good but they need someone that makes you go.. ooh he’s batting 3rd or cleanup. niceee. Hopefully Morales comes back healthy and with a solid pitching staff, Angels could definitely make the playoffs and possibly contend for a CHIP
Ryan SoftballGod Siembal
it says mcgee/gamel at 1st, is that just in case no fielder, or have they given up
James A. Janosz
It will probably be 4 years $56-$60 offer
Jon Stark
Callaspo would look really nice at 2B for the Jays.
FamousGrouse
Callaspo would probably hit 20 HR up there too. Great addition if TOR can make a deal.
notsureifsrs
well below average defensively at second
Jameson VanDyke
Anyone kind of missing Reagins right now?
OCAngels
.218/.248/.412 VW NOPE!!!
Jameson VanDyke
Landed Haren, extended Weaver, dropped Lackey and dodged a bullet with Crawford. Yes he got Wells for Nap but Wells isn’t done and Nap will never have that season again.
OCAngels
Don’t give Reagins credit for Weaver, Lackey wanted out, dodged Crawford, but missed on Beltre. Looking at VW’s stats makes me depressed knowing he’s gonna make 21MM. I’m no baseball wiz, But that deal was just BS!!! Don’t get me wrong, I didn’t like Nap. and so I don’t dwell on what we gave up. I just think Reagins is a retard for acquiring VW. Aram is consistent, he’s on the better side of 35, and talk is 9MM for 2/3yrs. Plus we get some trade bait for Callaspo.
Jameson VanDyke
Not your money and Wells put up similar numbers that Nap tends to put up during a season with the Angels. Yes, it screws the Angels financials for several years but Arte has the money to change that. Arte is worth about 8m less than the Steinbreners(don’t care to know how to spell this) so if he really wanted to win, he should spend more.
fejimanz
isn’t a big bat third priority right now? SP and RP should be taken care of first…
mondaymorninggm
callaspo would be good for the cardinals. they have no one at 2nd right now. plus they have a decent bullpen they could offer out of. lance lynn is a good arm who is actually a decent starter.
IMmessingWITHyou
callaspo for freeze
bjsguess
This is terrible news for Angel fans. Unless Ramirez is coming on the cheap (say $10m/year) then this will NOT be money well spent. We have bigger needs in the bullpen and in the rotation.
Ramirez can hit the long ball but remember that he gives back soooo much when it comes to defense and baserunning. He’s an upgrade over Callaspo but not by a wide margin and when you factor in cost Callaspo is the better value. If Callaspo is flipped for a starter or bullpen arm that is pre-arb then maybe this would make some sense.
However, I’m just not that interested in bringing in talent that is on the downside of their careers. Wells, Hunter, Abreu, and possibly Ramirez all could be in for major regression in 2012. I’d rather be done with Hunter and Abreu after this year and pass on Ramirez.
notsureifsrs
if wells regresses any further next year scioscia will have to play him at catcher
Derek Lee
a-ram sounds like a good fit for motown can protect miggy if he is in the 5 spot and v-mart if he (ramirez) got put in the 6 spot great upgrade over guillen and inge
John 87
3 yrs 33M. get her done
NYPOTENCE
All the Angels need to surpass the Rangers is an effective Aramis Ramirez,a healthy Kendrys Morales, and the “Arrival” of top prospect Mike Trout. Bet the Angels could garner some offense with those 3 guys.
OCAngels
and a bounce back year from Wells. Some BP help and a #5 SP could help too. Trout isn’t ready
BillB325
So if you guys get Rameriz would Angels fans be apposed to aquiring Soto and Marmol?
WasianCU
We are carrying 4 catchers right now in Mathis, Iannetta, Wilson, and Conger. Can’t really see a move for Soto coming. Of course, if we non-tender or trade Mathis and Wilson, who knows. Pretty clear that DiPoto has some roster changes in mind for this offseason though.
Cubbie
Say NOOOOOOO
stewie75
good luck with this guys. he’s pretty lazy and chooses when he’s interested. his D is avg at best. i’m rooting for aramis to sign with you guys just because i’d like to see what scioscia will do with him. hopefully you guys can light a fire under him, cuz this town was pretty tired of seeing him whiff at liners right at him.
Ryan Klinkert
Oh yes, god yes, let’s make this line-up even older.
fejimanz
I think the White Sox released Dallas McPherson… we could just sign him! what could go wrong?
soxfan123123
EVERYTHING
Chris
No, he signed another minor league contract with them.
fejimanz
well he hit 48 hrs to lead the minors in 2008 with the marlins… the kid is a great minor league player, just can’t seem to do it up in the show…
IMmessingWITHyou
he wants a multi year contract! not going to happen. maybe a one year deal with incentives and a club option is the cut off point!