MLB Trade Speculation: Aramis Ramirez Would Be a Perfect Fit with Florida Marlins

Back around a month ago, I mentioned that the Marlins should make a splash and land Mets third baseman David Wright if he were made available. While the thought of such possibility is a extreme, considering Wright is the heart and soul of the franchise and both the Marlins and Mets are in the same division, it was a stance that the Marlins should take as they enter the new ballpark in 2012. 

Now, a new option for the Marlins might lie with Chicago Cubs third baseman Aramis Ramirez, who is in the final year of his contract with the Cubs with a pending team option of $14.6 million for 2012 and $2 million buyout if option is not exercised.

Curently, the Cubs are trading places with the Pirates near the cellar of a competitive NL Central that is headlined by the Reds, Cardinals, and Brewers. They are not likely to exercise the team option Ramirez has for 2012 perhaps paving the way for them to target Albert Pujols in the offseason.

The Marlins are off to one of the best starts in team history (tied with the 1997 Marlins at 29-19) despite the struggles of their star Hanley Ramirez and have been going to with a three-way platoon at third base with Wes Helms, Emilio Bonifacio, and stand out Greg Dobbs.

Here are the numbers between the three through May 26:

Greg Dobbs:  .333/.373/.463, 2 home runs, 16 RBIs  (118 plate appearances)

Wes Helms: .196/.275/.261, 0 home runs, 2 RBIs (52 plate appearances) 

Emilio Bonifacio: .276/.343/.370, 1 home run, 7 RBIs (146 plate appearances) 

Granted, out of the three, Bonifacio has played in the outfield, along with second base and shortstop as well this season and is considered the teams utility player.

The Marlins can't rely on Greg Dobbs to put up the remarkable numbers he has been putting up all season but the team can surely use him as the bench player that they signed him as in the offseason. 

One of the obstacles to such a deal for Aramis Ramirez remains money, especially for the Marlins, since they would be on the hook for nearly $5 million remaining on his contract if they traded for him around July.

After all is said and done the Marlins would be on the hook for nearly a substantial investment for  the Marlins standards for what would be a rental of sorts but you could expect for the Cubs to eat up some of his remaining salary if  they were to shop Ramirez.

For 2012, the Marlins would have to make a decision on whether they take the $16 million option or the $2 million buyout and have Matt Dominguez begin his major league career, the latter of which is going to happen if such scenario occurs. 

In terms of what the Marlins would have to give up for Aramis Ramirez, one can look at power hitting outfielder Marcell Ozuna (currently at class A Greensboro), infielder Osvaldo Martinez, and outfielder Scott Cousins, now infamous for his collision with Buster Posey at home plate as possibilities.

At the end, the Marlins need insurance going with a young lineup for a potential postseason run and such a trade can rejuvenate Aramis Ramirez who has a single home run through this point in the season despite having a solid .290 batting average. 

Update: According to Jayson Stark, Ramirez's "team option" vests so the Marlins, if they were interested, would have to have the Cubs swallow at least half that to get a deal done but if they were considering Michael Young in the offseason, Ramirez is still a viable option.