3rd Base

#16 Aramis Ramirez


2004:
.318 AVG, .373 OBP, .578 SLG

Aramis Ramirez is the luckiest thing that has happened to the Cubs in my lifetime. With the Pirates Ramirez had 3 seasons(98, 00, 02) with at least 250 ABs in which he put up an OBP under .300 and a SLG under .403. The Cubs couldn't have known that he would put it all together when they aquired Ramirez for the stretch run in 2003. In Ramirez's first full season with the Cubs he put up career highs in AVG, OBP, SLG, HR, R, and BB. Ramirez is a 26 year old offensive force and the Cubs got him for practically nothing! I would be very surprised to see Aramis regress significantly this year, he seems to have established a new level of performance.

Clearly Ramirez belongs in the heart of the order, I don't think it makes much difference whether he hits 3rd or 4th. Ramirez led the team in OBP and AVG and put up a 59.6 VORP in 2004 despite missing 17 games. Without a similar performance from Ramirez the Cubs have very little chance in 2005.

I believe Aramis will NOT be a FA after 2005...but I am not sure. Either way I'd like the Cubs to sign him to a 3-4 year deal, longer if necesary. At 26 years old Ramirez has a lot of good years in front of him and it would be smart to sign him before his perceived value gets much higher. It's time for the Cubs to lock up some talent and start adding to the core.