MLB Free Agents 2012: Why the Chicago Cubs Must Re-Sign Aramis Ramirez
The start of the Chicago Cubs' Theo Epstein era is still surrounded by question marks.
He cut ties with manager Mike Quade, dealt with Ryan Dempster accepting his massive $14 million option and has yet to make a move with pitcher Carlos Zambrano.
Most importantly, though, is the state of third baseman Aramis Ramirez, who doesn't seem to be part of their future plans.
The Cubs' star third baseman has decided to opt out of his $16 million option—the team had accepted their half of it.
This is good news for the Cubs for not having to pay Ramirez that amount of money, but they do lose having him under contract to discuss a new deal.
Ultimately, the Cubs need Ramirez at third base in 2012.
Here are five reasons the Cubs must go out and get Ramirez back before it is too late.
He Is the Cubs' Best Power Hitter
1 of 5In 2011, Aramis Ramirez had the most extra base hits for the Chicago Cubs. With the likely departure of first baseman Carlos Pena, the Cubs are going to need to keep some sort of power bat in the lineup.
If the Cubs do sign a guy like Prince Fielder or Albert Pujols, the issue will be taken care of.
But from the looks of things, that doesn't seem to be the route Theo Epstein or Jed Hoyer are taking.
Ramirez has proven time and again that he is a great hitter. In 2011, he batted .306 with 26 home runs. That was under Mike Quade.
Imagine if he had an actual manager, who knew what he was doing and made these guys play their hardest every day.
The Market Is Weak
2 of 5Who are the Chicago Cubs going to go with instead? Mark DeRosa? Casey Blake?
Give me a break. No way do those guys deserve even a fraction of what Aramis Ramirez will get.
The guy of the future, Josh Vitters, isn't ready yet. Who knows if he ever will be? He has yet to really show anything.
In AA ball this last season, he batted .283 with 14 home runs. Those numbers are not deserving of a major league call-up, so he really isn't an option for the Cubs at this point.
Will they move Starlin Castro to third? Perhaps this is the plan, but it seems like a huge risk to take.
If the Cubs were smart, they would see Ramirez as their best bet at third for 2012.
The Cubs Need a Veteran
3 of 5There is no doubt about it—the Chicago Cubs' future revolves around star shortstop Starlin Castro. Castro is only 21 years old.
The Cubs need to keep around a guy like Ramirez, because he is a positive role model for young players like Castro that the Cubs will likely try building around.
Players like Alfonso Soriano and Carlos Zambrano (please don't let us see you on the North side in 2012) are not the veteran presence GM Jed Hoyer should want setting examples in the locker room.
Ramirez is a guy who produces and has played at a high level for many years. With the right manager in place, Ramirez could be the perfect mix of talent and leadership the Cubs need going into 2012.
He Has Many Good Years Left
4 of 5Sure, Aramis Ramirez is 33 years old. The thing is, he can still play.
Yes, 2011 was a contract year but Ramirez once again produced. He had an incredibly down year in 2010, but then, who didn't for the Chicago Cubs?
Ramirez has always been that X-factor, a guy who can come up big when they need it.
It will be hard to replace Ramirez, considering his experience and the fact he will be able to produce for years to come. There is no science behind it, but it is a gut feeling.
Ramirez potentially could be one of the best third basemen in the league.
He Loves Chicago
5 of 5Aramis Ramirez has had chances to leave town many times, but he never wants to go. When the trade deadline approached in past seasons, he told former GM Jim Hendry he didn't want to go.
If Ramirez loves Chicago that much, he should consider returning to the Cubs at a price that both sides can agree on. Chances are, many teams will be looking for his services and will likely overpay.
Ramirez associates family to being one of the reasons he never wanted to leave Chicago.
Perhaps he should keep that in mind and get the Cubs to bring him in on a multi-year deal.
Opting out was likely strategy, and now Theo is playing hard to get after accepting Ramirez's option.
Jeff Chase is from Chicago and is an undergrad at Arizona State University. He currently is interning with B/R and is in process of becoming a Featured Columnist for Arizona State football.
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