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<!--quoteo-->QUOTE <!--quotec-->After the '06 season, Ramirez exercised an opt-out clause in his contract and appeared to be headed to the Los Angeles Angels before he signed a five-year, $75 million deal that includes another opt-out clause after 2010. Ramirez never looked back, despite reportedly leaving as much as $35 million on the table to remain with the Cubs.
"No regrets," he said. "My contract wasn't that bad. My kids got a little bit upset [about possibly leaving Chicago] but I don't have to worry about that money stuff.
"I'd like to end my career here. I feel good here. I knew there was going to be a lot of money on the market, but I didn't want to go anywhere. I just want to stay here with the Cubs."
Ramirez was one of the National League's top hitters in the clutch last season, ranking first in batting average after the sixth inning (.360), and in late and close situations (.423). And with two strikes against him, Ramirez was third in the league with a .272 average.
But Ramirez hasn't performed well in the postseason the last two years, going 0-for-12 against Arizona and 2-for-11 against the Dodgers. While he's usually hard on himself, Ramirez said he didn't spend the off-season beating himself up.
"You can't think about that," he said. "It's in the past. You can't help it. Sure, it was frustrating but the only thing you can do is try to make [the playoffs] again and try to play better."<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
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I have no problem with keeping him here even longer. Move Vitters to 1B to take Lee's spot.
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I love it. As long we don't give him 8 yrs 136M.
I hate my pretentious sounding username too.
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I'd love to have him...the man has a beautiful swing
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<!--quoteo(post=21637:date=Mar 3 2009, 10:36 PM:name=phan)-->QUOTE (phan @ Mar 3 2009, 10:36 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->I'd love to have him...the man has a beautiful swing<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
And the prettiest home run stare since Junior circa 1996. I love that walk after he knows he crushed it. It's orgasmic.
I hate my pretentious sounding username too.
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best cub thirdbaseman ever? if not now, then in a year or two for sure. sorry ronnie.
Wang.
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<!--quoteo(post=21664:date=Mar 4 2009, 07:21 AM:name=veryzer)-->QUOTE (veryzer @ Mar 4 2009, 07:21 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->best cub thirdbaseman ever? if not now, then in a year or two for sure. sorry ronnie.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Is Aramis a HOFer? Because Santo basically is.
Actually, Aramis is Mr. Consistent, and if he continues with the 30HR 100RBI thing, he <i>will</i> make the Hall. Still, will he match Santo's 5 Gold Gloves?
For some reason, 3rd baseman, historically, tend to drop off a cliff in their early 30's. I don't know why. Even HOFers like Eddie Mathews, Home Run Baker, and even Santo himself ran into a brick wall. I hope Aramis plows through the wall, continues being a great hitter, and brings home a title for the Cubs, thus leaving no doubt as to him being the greatest Cubbie 3rd sacker ever.
There's nothing better than to realize that the good things about youth don't end with youth itself. It's a matter of realizing that life can be renewed every day you get out of bed without baggage. It's tough to get there, but it's better than the dark thoughts. -Lance
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<!--quoteo(post=21757:date=Mar 4 2009, 07:24 PM:name=KBwsb)-->QUOTE (KBwsb @ Mar 4 2009, 07:24 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=21664:date=Mar 4 2009, 07:21 AM:name=veryzer)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (veryzer @ Mar 4 2009, 07:21 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->best cub thirdbaseman ever? if not now, then in a year or two for sure. sorry ronnie.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Is Aramis a HOFer? Because Santo basically is.
Actually, Aramis is Mr. Consistent, and if he continues with the 30HR 100RBI thing, he <i>will</i> make the Hall. Still, will he match Santo's 5 Gold Gloves?
For some reason, 3rd baseman, historically, tend to drop off a cliff in their early 30's. I don't know why. Even HOFers like Eddie Mathews, Home Run Baker, and even Santo himself ran into a brick wall. I hope Aramis plows through the wall, continues being a great hitter, and brings home a title for the Cubs, thus leaving no doubt as to him being the greatest Cubbie 3rd sacker ever.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
santo is not a hall of famer, nor will he ever be. ramirez has a better shot and unless he has a long career, i don't think he's a hall of famer either.
5 gold gloves not withstanding, in a couple years, ramirez will be considered the cubs best thirdbaseman ever. deservedly so.
Wang.
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Santo was one of the best two or three third baseman when he played, and he did that for a decade. I can't say the same about Ramirez yet, and I doubt we ever will.
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<!--quoteo(post=21943:date=Mar 5 2009, 07:14 AM:name=Ace)-->QUOTE (Ace @ Mar 5 2009, 07:14 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->Santo was one of the best two or three third baseman when he played, and he did that for a decade. I can't say the same about Ramirez yet, and I doubt we ever will.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
That doesn't mean Ramirez isn't lots better than Santo.
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<!--quoteo(post=21943:date=Mar 5 2009, 07:14 AM:name=Ace)-->QUOTE (Ace @ Mar 5 2009, 07:14 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->Santo was one of the best two or three third baseman when he played, and he did that for a decade. I can't say the same about Ramirez yet, and I doubt we ever will.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
i think ramirez is one of the top thirdbasemen in baseball, at least in the top 5, in an era when there are more good thirdbasemen. i think he will be for a long time.
Wang.
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Ramirez has been the most consistent 3rd baseman in baseball this decade. I'm pretty sure I read he has the most HR and RBI of any 3rd baseman in the last 8 years. Of course ARod is only lower because part of his time was a SS and Wright hasn't played as many years. But Ramirez has been a very good consistent 3rd baseman, easily in the top 5 and he has been the most consistent for the longest.
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Coldneck's Top 10 Third Baseman for 2009
1. Wright
2. A-Rod
3. Aramis
4. Longoria
5. Chipper Jones
6. Garrett Atkins
7. Adrian Beltre
8. Ryan Zimmerman
9. Troy Glaus
10. Alex Gordon
I have made these rankings in the context of who I would want on my team for the 2009 season alone. My rankings would be quite different if I were thinking several years ahead. Kevin Youkilis would be in the Top 5 , but he's expected to play 1B this season. Hank Blalock would be in the top 10, but Michael Yooung is expected to play 3B for Texas.
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I looked at OPS+, which is comparable between eras. Santo is career 125, Aram 113. Santo had 4 years above 145, Aram's career high is 138. The both had years with an OPS+ of 126. Santo in 1968 hit .246/.354/.421 26hr(6th). Aram in 2006 .291/.352/.561 38hr(8th). 1960's numbers just do not compare with current numbers. For his era, Santo was a better hitter, plus had 5 gold gloves. Aram of course can have a lot more good years.
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I guess I'd move ARod down a bit now that he's out until May.
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