Future Padre - Aramis Ramirez (?)

Moving on to third basemen…

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Aramas Ramirez – In 2005, Aramis Ramirez signed a 4-year deal with the Chicago Cubs. That deal included a “opt out” clause that allows Ramirez to become a free agent this off-season. In his MLBTradeRumos.com, Tom Dierkers chronicled the contractual goings-on of Ramirez and the Cubs and predicts the next few steps.

Ramirez plays above-average defense at third base, has shown consistent power, and has hit consistently the last four years (.280, .318, .302, and .291 batting averages). In each of Ramirez’ last six years he has hit between 18 and 38 home runs (other than the 18 in 2002, Ramirez’ low during that six-year span is 27).

Ramirez isn’t ideal. He could walk more (he’s never walked more than 50 times in a season). But at the same time, in the last three years he has only struck out 62, 60, and 63 times (in those same seasons Ramirez walked 49, 35, and 50 times). Another negative about Ramirez is that like Carlos Lee, Ramirez compiled his impressive statistics in the friendly confines of the NL Central. As a Padre, Ramirez would play 81 games in Petco and another 18-20 in noted pitchers’ parks Dodger Stadium and AT&T Park. His numbers would come down some…

Unlike a lot of the other potential free agents, Ramirez is at the beginning of his prime. Ramirez will turn 29 this June and thus he is less likely to have a serious performance drop-off.

Even if Ramirez costs less than Soriano (and I think he will) he’ll still command at least four years and at least $13-to-14 million per year. He’s also a decent bet to out-perform Soriano and/or Lee.