[thejumper5]

The Cubs picked up Aramis Ramirez's 2012 option, but he has decided to decline the option and test free agency. That saves the team $16M for the season and $2M over what they would have paid had they declined the option from their end. They expect to not re-sign Ramirez. I'm glad they are making an effort to spend less.

[GoHawks24]

Ramirez will probably come crawling back after he finds out that nobody is willing to give him as much as the Cubs were going to. Right?

[ssckelley]

That was a no brainor to pick up Ramirez's option. He wants a multi year deal and he knows he put up just good enough numbers that someone will give him that on the open market. The 3rd base free agent market is thin this year. So they saved themselves 2 million by picking up the option knowing he would reject it.

Zambrano comes off the books after next year so that is another 20 million. The Cubs will have some money to spend if Epstein sees someone that will offer the Cubs good value. As I stated in another thread I doubt Epstein goes after Pujols.

I do have to say with the Brewers losing Fielder and the Cardinals possibly losing Pujols and LaRussa the Central is looking winnable next year. I do not think it would take many pieces or a ton of money to be competitive in the Central next year.

[HawkeyeMike23]

Originally Posted by GoHawks24

Ramirez will probably come crawling back after he finds out that nobody is willing to give him as much as the Cubs were going to. Right?

Ramirez will have plenty of teams after him. He's a top 5 third baseman in the MLB.

[ILHawkeye]

The only bigtime FA I hope the Cubs are interested in is Fielder. Signing him would make a rival worse and the Cubs on the road to relevance. Just hope the Cards resign Pujols to a long term contract so they can be like the Cubs in a few years...just waiting for a contract to run out.

[hawkfarmer]

Originally Posted by ssckelley

That was a no brainor to pick up Ramirez's option. He wants a multi year deal and he knows he put up just good enough numbers that someone will give him that on the open market. The 3rd base free agent market is thin this year. So they saved themselves 2 million by picking up the option knowing he would reject it.

Zambrano comes off the books after next year so that is another 20 million. The Cubs will have some money to spend if Epstein sees someone that will offer the Cubs good value. As I stated in another thread I doubt Epstein goes after Pujols.

I do have to say with the Brewers losing Fielder and the Cardinals possibly losing Pujols and LaRussa the Central is looking winnable next year. I do not think it would take many pieces or a ton of money to be competitive in the Central next year.

Not to mention Dempster and Byrd come off the books, there's another 20 mill. Could be interesting.

I for one don't think they get Fielder and go with Pena or LaHair. Just a feeling.

[busabus114]

Originally Posted by HawkeyeMike23

Ramirez will have plenty of teams after him. He's a top 5 third baseman in the MLB.

This is true as long as it isnt cold and his team is out of 1st place by double digit games

[GoHawks24]

Originally Posted by HawkeyeMike23

Ramirez will have plenty of teams after him. He's a top 5 third baseman in the MLB.

Eh, I don't know about that, especially since he's on the backslide of his career. I'd give him top 10. A few that are better off the top of my head:

A-Rod
Wright
Longoria
Beltre
Zimmerman
Sandoval
Youkilis (sp?)
Bautista

[thejumper5]

Originally Posted by ssckelley

I do have to say with the Brewers losing Fielder and the Cardinals possibly losing Pujols and LaRussa the Central is looking winnable next year. I do not think it would take many pieces or a ton of money to be competitive in the Central next year.

I was with you up to this point. I think that if Pujols and Fielder both leave the division, then 86-88 wins will be good enough to win the division, but I don't think the Cubs have what it takes to pick up those 15-17 extra wins. I just think they have too many question marks to contend next year. Honestly, I think it is more likely that their win total will be in the 60s next year than in the 80s, though around 75 is where I would imagine they will end up.

[RoseBowlBound]

I think the cubs need to go after youth and pitching this your OR go after Fielder

[ssckelley]

Originally Posted by thejumper5

I was with you up to this point. I think that if Pujols and Fielder both leave the division, then 86-88 wins will be good enough to win the division, but I don't think the Cubs have what it takes to pick up those 15-17 extra wins. I just think they have too many question marks to contend next year. Honestly, I think it is more likely that their win total will be in the 60s next year than in the 80s, though around 75 is where I would imagine they will end up.

So you think the Cubs will not even try next season? Cubs spent 134 million on payroll last year and right now they currently sit at 71 million obligated for next season for 6 player contracts. You have another 6 players they can offer arbitration to. In comparison Boston spent 160 million for their roster. I don't know if I have ever seen a big market team reduce their payroll. While I do not expect Epstein to foolishly throw money around in free agency I do think he will make moves that will be a good fit for the Cubs long term. If you got 2 of the top teams in your division losing their key player I think it would be foolish for the Cubs just to give up next year and not at least try to put the pieces in place to compete for the division.

[JonDMiller]

I think next year will be another painful on field experience...one more year of waiting out some expiring deals..and of course, the Soriano deal is still around for a bit...it might just be best to wait things out another year and bank on the 'Let's go to Wrigley because its a party' card you know you can draw on.

[ssckelley]

So the Cubs go out and spend money to bring in a top notch Team President and in the first year he comes in and slashes payroll?

[busabus114]

Originally Posted by ssckelley

So the Cubs go out and spend money to bring in a top notch Team President and in the first year he comes in and slashes payroll?

It makes perfect sense - the only way the Cubs can get better is to shed the awful deals. ?By bringing in a high profile guy like Epstein the Cubs have bought time with the fan base because all Cubs fans have a huge chub for Epstein.

Ownership spent $15 mil on a GM instead of $200 mil on a fat 1st baseman

Its actually a genius move

[tm3308]

Originally Posted by busabus114

It makes perfect sense - the only way the Cubs can get better is to shed the awful deals. ?By bringing in a high profile guy like Epstein the Cubs have bought time with the fan base because all Cubs fans have a huge chub for Epstein.

Ownership spent $15 mil on a GM instead of $200 mil on a fat 1st baseman

Its actually a genius move

Winner. I still think the Cubs might go after Fielder, but overall, slashing the payroll is what the Cubs need. Get rid of as many of the bad contracts as possible so that we can move on.