Aramis open to trade prior to deadline?

[dabynsky]

From MLB trade rumors:

Aramis Ramirez has said all summer that he won't waive his no-trade clause to accept a deal before the July 31st non-waiver deadline. But his recent comments to Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times suggest he's softening on the idea of leaving the Cubs for another club this month (Twitter link).

"I understand it's a business," he said. "If they're looking to rebuild, I can't fit in. So we'll see."

If Ramirez gets traded, his $16MM option for 2012 becomes guaranteed and he gets an assignment bonus of $1MM. He earns $14.6MM this year and currently projects as a Type B free agent. If traded, Ramirez would likely want his new club to drop the $16MM option for '12 so that he can hit the open market after this season, agent Paul Kinzer told Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports.

The Angels have interest in Ramirez, the Brewers are looking for help on the left side of the infield.

A beat writer for the Angels, at least that is what the account claims, tweeted this as well:

Aramis Ramirez has become more viable option for #Angels, who could acquire #Cubs 3B without giving up top prospect.

[Rice Cube]

Was thinking they might as well keep Aramis, buy him out, offer him arb, have him decline, then pocket the comp pick instead of trying a mini-salary dump because that's all this trade will entail anyway.

[Anno Catuli]

If they do not give up a top prospect, no deal.

[dabynsky]

Originally Posted by Rice Cube

Was thinking they might as well keep Aramis, buy him out, offer him arb, have him decline, then pocket the comp pick instead of trying a mini-salary dump because that's all this trade will entail anyway.

See I don't get that when Carlos Beltran just netted Zach Wheeler. I get that Beltran is having a better year, but he is a year older, on the last year of his deal as well, and has a worse history of being able to stay healthy. I guess I don't see how Ramirez isn't worth a decent haul when 3B production is so putrid around baseball.

[Rice Cube]

^ That's probably because Brian Sabean got pwned by Sandy Alderson. But you're probably right that the Cubs might be able to get a prospect back, I just don't think they'll get back what you'd like...

[dabynsky]

Originally Posted by Rice Cube

^ That's probably because Brian Sabean got pwned by Sandy Alderson. But you're probably right that the Cubs might be able to get a prospect back, I just don't think they'll get back what you'd like...

Perhaps, again really wish we had gone after Alderson in some role with this team, but I guess if that is the case then holding onto Ramirez isn't a bad option. I think the Cubs realize the scenario and unless they are netting something significant they will probably hold onto him. Just seems like there ought to be a decent market for him given again how bad 3B have been and the type of year he is having.

[EROCK23]

The Cubs need to get a good prospect in return because Ramirez had a bounce back year and if they want to "contend" next year they will need him

[Uman85]

thekapman David Kaplan
Aramis sounds like he is willing to consider a trade. I'm hearing the LA Angels are willing to pay solid price to land him.

[waldo7239117]

David Kaplan: Hearing Ramirez may waive NTC and the Angels will pay to acquire A-Ram. The Angels scouted Ramrez at Wrigley over the weekend.

[dabynsky]

Yeah I have got to figure that the price for Ramirez is going to be decent after what the Giants paid for Beltran. I'm hardly expecting Trout back in the deal, but some legitimate prospects need to be coming back to the Cubs to move Ramirez. And there should be more than a few teams interested in him.