3rd (Base) and Five to Go

When Aramis Ramirez was acquired by the Cubs, fans thought that the team had finally gotten the third baseman they had sought since Ron Santo left the team in the ‘70s. From the day he joined the club in 2003, he gave Cub fans a reason to believe he was the real deal. But after a slow start in 2006, including a particularly bad stretch during Derrick Lee’s stint on the DL, the ARam love has soured a bit. Is ARam the answer at 3rd for the Cubs? What are the options? Let’s take a look:

The Cubs 3rd baseman:

Aramis Ramirez – Right/Right, Age 28. Ramirez is signed through the 2008 season, with a mutual option for 2009. However, his contract includes the right to void his contract after the 2006 season. He currently earns $10.5 million per year. He is scheduled to earn $11 million in 2007, $11.5 million in 2008, and $11 million in 2009. Career offensive stats (through 2005 season): .275/.327/.481, 992 hits in 969 games, 173 HR, 599 RBI. 2006 offensive stats (through 7/3/06): .255/.312/.477, 76 hits in 79 games, 15 HR, 49 RBI. Discussion: Regardless of his first half slump this year, ARam is still one of the better 3rd basemen in baseball. Even so, he may be more valuable as trade bait for the Cubs than as their 3rd baseman.

Other potential 3rd basemen:

Alex Rodriguez (New York Yankees): Right/Right, Age 30. Rodriguez is signed through the 2010 season. He currently earns $25 million per year. He is scheduled to earn $27 million per year from 2007-2010. He can opt out of his contract under certain circumstances after the 2007 season and has a full no-trade clause as well as incentives during all years. Career offensive stats (through the 2005 season): .306/.386/.575, 1985 hits in 1670 games, 448 HR, 1290 RBI. 2006 offensive stats (through 7/3/06): .285/.394/.522, 84 hits in 78 games, 19 HR, 64 RBI. Discussion: ARod is one of the best players in all of baseball. He is also one of the best shortstops, although he is currently playing 3rd base for the Yankees. Simply stated, ARod should be the centerpiece of the Cubs rebuilding program (and he should play SS).

Erik Chavez (Oakland A’s) – Right/Left, Age 28. Chavez is signed through the 2010 season, with a club option for 2011. He currently earns $9 million per year. He is scheduled to earn $9 million in 2007, $11 million in 2008-09, $12 million in 2010 and $12.5 million in 2011 if his option is picked up. Chavez has a limited no-trade clause that does not include the Cubs. Career offensive stats (through 2005 season): .273/.350/.494, 1088 hits in 1099 games, 204 HR, 690 RBI. 2006 offensive stats (through 7/3/06): .246/.358/.456, 62 hits in 70 games, 14 HR, 46 RBI. Discussion: Chavez is considered one of the better 3rd basemen in the game even though he is having a sub-par 2006. Considering his contract and the current make-up of the Cubs, Chavez probably would not be a good fit.

Jeff Cirillo (Milwaukee Brewers) – Right/Right, Age 36. Cirillo will become a FA at the conclusion of the 2006 season. He currently earns $850,000 plus incentives. Career offensive stats (through 2005 season): .297/.368/.433, 1500 hits in 1482 games, 109 HR, 688 RBI. 2006 offensive stats (through 7/3/06): .327/.397/.433, 34 hits in 54 games, 2 HR, 11 RBI. Discussion: Cirillo has been used as a journeyman infielder, but when he gets the chance to play, he does well. He might be the type of guy the Cubs need if they get the big name players I hope they’ll get at other positions.

Miguel Cabrera (Florida Marlins) – Right/Right, Age 23. Cabrera is signed through the 2006 season. He currently earns $472,000 per year. Career offensive stats (through 2005): .307/.377/.531, 558 hits in 484 games, 91 HR, 345 RBI. 2006 offensive stats (through 7/3/06): .344/.437/.573, 99 hits in 79 games, 13 HR, 55 RBI. Discussion: One day the rumor mill says the Marlins want to trade Cabrera because they won’t be able to afford to re-sign him. The next day, they say the Marlins need to keep him in order to improve their chances for a new stadium in South Florida. Cabrera would be a good fit in Chicago and would be the perfect compliment on the left side to ARod at SS.

Discussion: The Cubs need to make a splash with big name players in order to rebuild the team. They need players who have a good reputation and who can be recognized by even a casual fan. The Cubs need to be the “Big Dog” in the NL and they need to have big name players. Players like ARod and Miguel Cabrera would fill the bill nicely.

My choices:

1) Alex Rodriguez (SS)
2) Miguel Cabrera