Aramis to Milwaukee

[love_that_reefer]

Per MLBTR

Aramis Ramirez will sign a three-year contract with the Brewers, reports Bruce Levine of ESPNChicago. Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports expects the contract to be in the $34-37MM range. With first baseman Prince Fielder expected to leave via free agency and MVP Ryan Braun facing a potential 50-game suspension for a banned substance, the Brewers were motivated to add a middle-of-the-order bat. Ramirez is represented by Paul Kinzer of Wasserman Media Group.

Ramirez, 33, bounced back to hit .306/.361/.510 with 26 home runs in 626 plate appearances for the Cubs in 2011. Former Cubs GM Jim Hendry stole Ramirez from the Pirates in a 2003 trade, and the right-handed slugger solidified the position for Chicago by hitting .294/.356/.531 with 239 home runs over eight-plus seasons. His defense is below-average, based on UZR. Aramis, MLBTR's eighth-ranked free agent, finished a five-year, $75MM deal when he declined his side of a mutual option in October. The Cubs will receive a supplemental draft pick for their loss.

The Brewers had a need at the hot corner after Casey McGehee disappointed in 2011. The arbitration-eligible McGehee could still be used at first base if the Brewers decide not to non-tender him tonight or trade him this winter.

Though details of Ramirez's contract are not yet known, it's a safe assumption he received more than $10MM a year. After Francisco Rodriguez accepted arbitration from the Brewers last week, it wasn't clear whether they'd still be in the mix for another expensive player like Ramirez. The Brewers have revamped the left side of their infield, announcing a deal with shortstop Alex Gonzalez today.

There's a lot to like about this deal. The money, if Rosenthal is correct, seems to be very fair and the years seem to be right as well. Aramis isn't good defensively but he is slightly better than McGehee. Having upgraded at SS with Gonzalez, the left side of the infield looks to be improved. If McGehee and Gamel don't work out at 1B, Ramirez could possible take over having someone else play third. It's just too bad the Brewers might be without Braun for 50 games.

[Trendy Bastard]

So one of my favorite players is now the enemy?

[HollywoodLeo]

He's working his way around the NL Central.

Halfway there.

[Slyder]

He's working his way around the NL Central.

Halfway there.

He better hurry Houston won't be there long to complete the cycle.

[HollywoodLeo]

Good point. He can forget about Houston so that he only has two teams left.

Maybe sign with Houston in the AL West just for the hell of it in his last year.

[love_that_reefer]

Some contract info:

According to Ken Rosenthal of FoxSports.com, Aramis Ramirez will make just $6 million in 2012 with the Brewers.
Ramirez declined his portion of a $16 million mutual option for 2012 with the Cubs and looked to score a multi-year contract. From a financial standpoint, his decision looks dubious. Ramirez will make $10 million in 2013 and $14 million in 2014 with a $4 million buyout on a mutual option for 2015. In 2014, $6 million will be deferred. Even with the meager 2012 commitment to A-Ram, Milwaukee has little financial flexibility left with which to fill a handful of holes.