I was just listening to Comcast & quote me if I'm wrong, but it sounded like they were implying that Aramiz Ramirez will excercise his right out of his contract with the Chicago Cubs come November. Can anyone verify this, or give a link where it discusses this. Ramirez is hitting the shit out of the ball, and as a life long Cubs fan I would hate to lose him..
http://chicagosports.chicagotribune...,1,1001803,print.story?coll=cs-home-headlines
Ramirez outta here?
Internet report suggests he could opt out of contract
By Paul Sullivan
Tribune staff reporter
August 2, 2006
The Cubs weren't worried about an Internet report that said the organization has received "indications" Aramis Ramirez will opt to become a free agent in November, though the possibility exists Ramirez could leave.
"He can renegotiate or become a free agent," Ramirez's agent, Paul Kinzer, said Tuesday night from Cincinnati. "It would take something drastic to make him leave. He's comfortable. We haven't even talked about that yet."
It's likely Ramirez will try to renegotiate his deal because he could command more money on the open market. Despite his slow start, Ramirez likely will finish with more than 30 home runs and 100 RBIs. He leads all National League third basemen with a .972 fielding percentage and could be in line for his first Gold Glove.
Baseball Prospectus' Will Carroll recently wrote the Cubs had "some indications" Ramirez will opt out of his contract after the season,"putting them in the same situation that the Brewers were in before moving Carlos Lee. … Though many Cubs fans may not want to admit it, there's a very solid chance Ramirez tests the market."
Carroll reported in February that Mark Prior was suffering from shoulder problems, a claim that was vehemently denied by Prior and the Cubs. Prior was later sidelined for several months with a shoulder strain.
Ramirez, who hit his 25th home run Tuesday, is in the second year of a four-year, $42 million deal that pays $10.5 million this season. He's owed $11 million in '07 and $11.5 million in '08. There's a mutual option for '09 at $11 million.
But Ramirez can opt out of the contract and become a free agent after this season, and could cash in if he does.
Ramirez declined an interview request Tuesday. When he signed the deal on Opening Day 2005, Ramirez said of the opt-out clause: "That's just an option, but I don't think I'm going to exercise that. I want to be a Cub for the rest of my life."
However, Ramirez is apparently upset he received too much of the blame for this year's downfall after Derrek Lee's injury. Baserunning criticism also rankled Ramirez, whose relationship with manager Dusty Baker runs hot and cold.
General manager Jim Hendry declined to seriously consider trade offers for Ramirez. Several teams called, including the Los Angeles Angels, who reportedly would jump at the chance to sign Ramirez as a free agent.
Hendry believes Ramirez still likes being a Cub and won't leave in November, especially with a $22.5 million payout the next two seasons. Kinzer said he expects to talk with Hendry later this month.
"We'll definitely look at the contract," Kinzer said. "We'll see how things go. He's real happy with where he's at right now. He got off to a slow start, but he's playing well and just hopes to finish strong. September is usually his best month."
Copyright © 2006, The Chicago Tribune
Ramirez outta here?
Internet report suggests he could opt out of contract
By Paul Sullivan
Tribune staff reporter
August 2, 2006
The Cubs weren't worried about an Internet report that said the organization has received "indications" Aramis Ramirez will opt to become a free agent in November, though the possibility exists Ramirez could leave.
"He can renegotiate or become a free agent," Ramirez's agent, Paul Kinzer, said Tuesday night from Cincinnati. "It would take something drastic to make him leave. He's comfortable. We haven't even talked about that yet."
It's likely Ramirez will try to renegotiate his deal because he could command more money on the open market. Despite his slow start, Ramirez likely will finish with more than 30 home runs and 100 RBIs. He leads all National League third basemen with a .972 fielding percentage and could be in line for his first Gold Glove.
Baseball Prospectus' Will Carroll recently wrote the Cubs had "some indications" Ramirez will opt out of his contract after the season,"putting them in the same situation that the Brewers were in before moving Carlos Lee. … Though many Cubs fans may not want to admit it, there's a very solid chance Ramirez tests the market."
Carroll reported in February that Mark Prior was suffering from shoulder problems, a claim that was vehemently denied by Prior and the Cubs. Prior was later sidelined for several months with a shoulder strain.
Ramirez, who hit his 25th home run Tuesday, is in the second year of a four-year, $42 million deal that pays $10.5 million this season. He's owed $11 million in '07 and $11.5 million in '08. There's a mutual option for '09 at $11 million.
But Ramirez can opt out of the contract and become a free agent after this season, and could cash in if he does.
Ramirez declined an interview request Tuesday. When he signed the deal on Opening Day 2005, Ramirez said of the opt-out clause: "That's just an option, but I don't think I'm going to exercise that. I want to be a Cub for the rest of my life."
However, Ramirez is apparently upset he received too much of the blame for this year's downfall after Derrek Lee's injury. Baserunning criticism also rankled Ramirez, whose relationship with manager Dusty Baker runs hot and cold.
General manager Jim Hendry declined to seriously consider trade offers for Ramirez. Several teams called, including the Los Angeles Angels, who reportedly would jump at the chance to sign Ramirez as a free agent.
Hendry believes Ramirez still likes being a Cub and won't leave in November, especially with a $22.5 million payout the next two seasons. Kinzer said he expects to talk with Hendry later this month.
"We'll definitely look at the contract," Kinzer said. "We'll see how things go. He's real happy with where he's at right now. He got off to a slow start, but he's playing well and just hopes to finish strong. September is usually his best month."
Copyright © 2006, The Chicago Tribune
