So, when I last talked to you about A-Ram, I was saying this Well, this explains why there hasn’t been Yea, I have no idea where I was going with this. I probably should stop writing three paragraphs at once. Other things I should stop doing… I hope I’m freaking out about nothing Well! My … Continue reading “HOLA A-Ram”
So, when I last talked to you about A-Ram, I was saying this
Well, this explains why there hasn’t been
Yea, I have no idea where I was going with this. I probably should stop writing three paragraphs at once. Other things I should stop doing…
I hope I’m freaking out about nothing
Well! My bad. 5 years, $73 mil for A-Ram is great…
…except it’s $75 because there’s an option for the 6th year, and he’s getting $2 mil either way
…except there’s a unexplained vesting clause for season 6
…except A-Ram has yet another out clause, after season 4
I was telling someone I hated Hendry over this deal, and they couldn’t quite understand, because the Cubs got A-Ram back for under market value and locked up thru his good years, things I really wanted. I couldn’t quite explain why I was annoyed, and still really can’t, but I think it’s something about going thru this season long drama, believe it to be resolved, and then finding out there’s all sorts of ifs negotiated in. Just as anyone with a IQ over 90 who didn’t work for the Cubs expected Ram to use the out clause in his last contract if he did any good at all, you’ve got to expect him to do it; if Aramis turns out to be worth what the Cubs are paying him thru the first four years, he’ll go fishing for more money in year 5, everything will be back to square one, and Hendry will likely be long gone, and not have to deal with it. I would’ve rather they gave him more in money and less in out clauses.
The other thing that’s slipped notice here, as far as A-Ram’s signing, is this ends The Curse Of The Journeyman 3B Since Santo. Ram’s been a Cubs for 3 full seasons, and will be manning third for at least 7 by the time he reaches free agency again. The length of this contract and his offense performance means he’s going to an important part of Cubs history when people look back at the ’00s; he’s not going to the Hall of Fame, but if he plays the way he has the last three years, he’ll be one of those guys who’s banner is hanging on the concourse (or whatever else they decide to do) for future generations. I hope that sort of thing appeals to him, and not the realization that he’s a made man and can set new records of lazy if he so chooses.
I’m less interested in the Kerry Wood deal. I think people are high on it because they’ve long had a dream of him being a dominant closer, but there’s much bigger chance he has no impact on the season. You can’t assume anything about him till he survives Mesa and is actually on the opening day roster. Not worth getting excited about a guy who’s pitched 85 innings in the last two years. I’d like it to work out, but you shouldn’t start complaining about how he might be used if he might not be used at all.