Aramis Ramirez

[Warning Track Power]

Like I've been saying, the best and most realistic offseason scenario involves the Brewers signing Ramirez and Furcal.

 

Going into 2012 with a lineup of the following looks pretty strong to me:

 

1. Furcal

2. Hart

3. Braun

4. Ramirez

5. Weeks

6. Gamel

7. Lucroy

8. Morgan/Gomez

That lineup has 3 left-handed hitters in it vs RHP.

 

Impossible.

How is that different than 2011 when we only had Fielder and Morgan as the only 2 regular left-handed hitters against RHP? I don't think its quite impossible.

[StearnsFTW]

Like I've been saying, the best and most realistic offseason scenario involves the Brewers signing Ramirez and Furcal.

 

Going into 2012 with a lineup of the following looks pretty strong to me:

 

1. Furcal

2. Hart

3. Braun

4. Ramirez

5. Weeks

6. Gamel

7. Lucroy

8. Morgan/Gomez

That lineup has 3 left-handed hitters in it vs RHP.

 

Impossible.

How is that different than 2011 when we only had Fielder and Morgan as the only 2 regular left-handed hitters against RHP? I don't think its quite impossible.

I was joking. That would the most Lefties in a lineup (that are capable hitters) in forever for the Brewers.

[reillymcshane]

I would be happy to have Ramirez's bat, but I'm skeptical a three year deal worth $12 million or more a year works out well for the team in the long run.

 

Just a lot of red flags. The injuries. The age. The defense. It is just worrisome.

 

I should note many of these same things apply to Rollins as well.

 

However, if you add Ramirez, you still need a SS. That means someone like Yuni, Cedeno or Gonzalez would be brought in to handle the job. A Yuni/Ramirez left side of the infield would be pretty bad in the fielding department.

[Warning Track Power]

That lineup has 3 left-handed hitters in it vs RHP.

 

Impossible.

How is that different than 2011 when we only had Fielder and Morgan as the only 2 regular left-handed hitters against RHP? I don't think its quite impossible.

I was joking. That would the most Lefties in a lineup (that are capable hitters) in forever for the Brewers.

My mistake!http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/laugh.gif

 

[RockCoCougars]

I worry about a lot about Ramirez for the aforementioned reasons. This will probably be his last big contract, and I don't like signing players like that because you can't even count on a big contract year (something Ramirez has done a few times). So many red flags (age, defense, injury, questionable motivation) with this guy, it's probably a coin flip whether he pans out.

 

On the other hand, I want to stay far away from Rollins. Frankly, he seems like a Suppan-type signing to me. His value is largely based off the MVP and the championship ring. If you look at his career as a whole, it's not that impressive outside the MVP season. His value to the Brewers is solely due to their dearth of anything at SS. Like Suppan, there doesn't seem to be much interest in Rollins either, and that should be telling. I can see myself on here in a year in a half whining about him hitting .255 with 4 home runs in late June, and getting the annoying 'He's doing what we signed him for- providing vet leadership and stabilizing SS. We knew what we were getting into when we signed him, and we have no better options. Plus he's great for the clubhouse and the community.' response. Bottom line, he seems to be a good guy, but he is worth no where near what he is seeking.

[Crew2323]

Aram the last 4 years:

 

2008 - 289/380/518

2009 - 317/389/516

2010 - 241/294/452

2011 - 306/361/510

Wasn't 2010 the year ARam separated his right shoulder in a game in Milwaukee? If so, that could very well explain his off year.

[brettac1]

If it came down to it, I would prefer Ramirez to Rollins because he's a power hitter. Obviously, he can't field well anymore, but he would seem an easy candidate to shift across the infield if that was necessary.

 

I don't care to see Jimmy Rollins OBP .320 and lead off. Yuck.

[brewtank34]

Per a Tweet by Chris Singleton (Don't know who this person is)... but he tweets that a good source of his states that a Rollins deal with the Phillies is close. This was retweeting by Olney.

 

If/when this becomes true, then I would imagine we see an offer to Aram very quickly.

[fondybrewfan]

Even if Ramirez isn't that good of a defender he is still better than Casey right?

 

If we had Aram at 3rd and Alex Gonzalez at SS I would think defense would be a wash at worst (as compared to last year) with a likely substantial improvement in offensive output. Granted the cost of Ramirez and Gonzalez would probably be around $12-14 Million or so and we spent about $5 Million on Casey/Yuni last year; but I think the upgrade would be substantial enough to make it worth it. We arguably had the worst everyday SS and the worst everday 3B in the entire NL last year and we still made the NLCS. Even with the loss of Fielder improvements in these two areas could get us right back in the NLCS again.

[brwrsfan]

If we sign Ramirez, I really hope they go for Furcal as well. Just for the defense alone. Having another brutal infield defense would really suck. Furcal didn't hit very much but he can at least bring us that glove and arm of his and I'd have to think he hits better than he did last year. What is Furcal even asking for? I haven't heard anything on him at all.

[jmeks23]

It's unfortunate we missed on Reyes, because playing with Reyes at SS, and Green/Gamel at the corners would've probably been the best scenario. Now you have to mix and match and I don't think you can afford to start Green at 3rd AND Gamel at 1st. Too much liability when they go into cold streaks. That at least would've been better covered up by an impact bat like Reyes.

 

Unfortunately the best scenario now is Ramirez and Gonzalez/Furcal. If they somehow manage Rollins and Headley that would be good too, but Rollins appears bound to Philly and I doubt Headley moves in the offseason.

[Pack Attack]

Sign Rollins and then trade for Gabby Sanchez after Pujols or Fielder signs with Miami!

[brettac1]

I'd rather start Gamel than trade something of value for Sanchez. He's pretty average.

[fondybrewfan]

Sign Rollins and then trade for Gabby Sanchez after Pujols or Fielder signs with Miami!

I would be all for that if I thought we had the pieces to get Sanchez. I would be fine with Rollins at SS, Casey/Green at 3rd, and Sanchez at 1st. I don't think we have the pieces to get Sanchez though; the Marlins would be looking for pitching and I doubt they would want Wolf or Marcum and guys like Peralta or Fiers probably aren't good enough prospects.

 

It still sounds like Rollins ends up in PHI anyways; so this is probably a mute point

 

 

[B2k1121]

I'm assuming Rollins stays with the Phillies, Furcal stays with the Cardinals and the Brewers stick with......the man who shall not be named around here.

[Raw Biz]

If they sign ARam, Yuni will probably be the SS. Hopefully I'm wrong. I would even take Gonzalez over him. Furcal isn't likely to sign here (according to a recent tweet) so it's probably between Yuni/Gonzalez. I would just non-tender McGehee then since we'd have Green to back up 3B/2B and we'd save about $3 mil. However, the Brewers really like McGehee so that won't happen.

[reillymcshane]

If they sign ARam, Yuni will probably be the SS. Hopefully I'm wrong. I would even take Gonzalez over him. Furcal isn't likely to sign here (according to a recent tweet) so it's probably between Yuni/Gonzalez. I would just non-tender McGehee then since we'd have Green to back up 3B/2B and we'd save about $3 mil. However, the Brewers really like McGehee so that won't happen.

Rawbecht, i think you nailed it. With Rollins likely going back the Phils, we'll sign Ramirez. And with Furcal not in the picture, that sticks us with one of the leftover shortstops. That means Yuni, Alex Gonzalez or Ronnie Cedeno. We'll stick with Yuni, I bet.

 

And like you point out, wouldn't be shocked if McGehee is non-tendered. They'll use Green as back up 3B/1B/PH/DH type, and pick up a middle IF for cheap.

[GoudaBrew]

ARam, Yuni, Weeks and McGehee/Gamel (at first base).....That infield defense could be epically bad. We have no idea how McGehee and Gamel are at first, but man that's scary. Now that it sounds like Rollins is no longer an option, I'm afraid our big signing will be ARam (he's an OK player, I just really despise him). I hope we at least sign Alex Gonzalez over Yuni to play short to improve the defense. Though I'd still prefer trading for Bartlett.

[reillymcshane]

I hope we at least sign Alex Gonzalez over Yuni to play short to improve the defense. Though I'd still prefer trading for Bartlett.

I'd take gonzalez exactly for that fact - he's a decent defender (at least in past years). Don't know about Bartlett.

[StearnsFTW]

Aram the last 4 years:

 

2008 - 289/380/518

2009 - 317/389/516

2010 - 241/294/452

2011 - 306/361/510

Wasn't 2010 the year ARam separated his right shoulder in a game in Milwaukee? If so, that could very well explain his off year.

That was '09. I was sitting behind the Cub dugout laughing at him. He and Cub fans did not appreciate my humor.

[RobertR]

At this stage of his career, I'm curious to see if Ramirez isn't well suited to a shift to 1B. I certainly can't imagine him being worse than Prince defensively and he might be quite a bit better. In any event, I think there's an argument that relying on Green or Gamel to break through is more likely to succeed than relying on Green and Gamel to break through.

 

Robert

[reillymcshane]

As a note, Ramirez had the worst Zone Rating and Range Factor in baseball last year at 3B. It's important to know that only 12 players qualified. But he was the worst in each category.

 

Fangraphs rates Ramirez as the 2nd worst 3B last year with an UZR of -9.4. Again, only 12 qualifiers.

 

He was tied for 8th with regard to fielding %.

 

Most observers feel Ramirez is a bad fielder. The stats back that up.

 

He's going to only get worse as he ages.

 

The shift to 1B might be a good idea.

[Raw Biz]

As a note, Ramirez had the worst Zone Rating and Range Factor in baseball last year at 3B. It's important to know that only 12 players qualified. But he was the worst in each category.

 

Fangraphs rates Ramirez as the 2nd worst 3B last year with an UZR of -9.4. Again, only 12 qualifiers.

 

He was tied for 8th with regard to fielding %.

 

Most observers feel Ramirez is a bad fielder. The stats back that up.

 

He's going to only get worse as he ages.

 

The shift to 1B might be a good idea.

I would do a rotation of 1B/3B with Green, ARam, and Gamel. ARam spells Gamel at 1B at least once a week, giving Green a start at 3B. If McGehee stays, he gets a start at 3B once a week against lefty with ARam at 1B. Then ARam sits at least once a week, giving Gamel/Green both starts. I think this would keep ARam fresh, limiting potential for injuries, and would limit the damage he could do on defense at 3B. It would also give Green plenty of ABs to stay fresh.

[Oldcity]

A better idea would be to not sign him at all. Refocus the effort and money on trading for a shortstop.

[Hate those Rodents]

A better idea would be to not sign him at all. Refocus the effort and money on trading for a shortstop.

If this is the idea, then we need a better tradeable asset. Maybe sign a guy like Willingham so Corey can be dealt for a ss. Either way, we should spend money to sign someone that frees us to trade an asset.