Another Open Letter to Jim Hendry

by cubsfan2883 on Nov 6, 2006 7:46 PM CST

As time goes by I am convinced that Aramis is going to chase the money and go find a home in Anaheim. While I will miss Ramirez dearly, I don't believe any of the available MLB 3b are worth their weight in salt.

There is; however, an alternative to Ramirez..

Sign Akinori Iwamura Please.

Iwamura has drawn comparisons to Tadahito Iguchi.. Over his Japan career he has hit over .300 Hit 188 Hr's and has over 570 RBi's. The best part about Iwamura is that he is 2 years younger than Ramirez.. and that he can play ANYWHERE on the IF.. meaning if some scrub cannot hit that plays 2b or SS Iwamura at best would slide over. Perhaps you could even re-sign Ramirez and make a winning bid on Iwamura. Anyway.. this is the best alternative Hendry, so if you aren't able to lure Ramirez back.. you had better win the posting for this guy. He's young.. He can hit for average and he's got enough power to make pitchers pay. And he probably can be signed for what will be a bargain given what A-Ram wants to sign. Pair this signing with others such as a Soriano.. and you're looking at a pretty good off-season.

Signed,
A Wishful Cub fan in Springfield( who's been putting up with way too much Cardinals crap)

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of SB Nation or Al Yellon, managing editor (unless it's a FanPost posted by Al). FanPost opinions are valued expressions of opinion by passionate and knowledgeable baseball fans.

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Then why don't we

keep A-Ram and sign Iwamura for SS with Theriot at 2B and Mr. Career .295 OBP on the bench?

"Incidentally, Colossus was right and I was wrong about Maddux being dealt." -Al Yellon

by colossus @ Bleed Cubbie Blue on Nov 6, 2006 7:44 PM CST reply actions

That would be okay too

but if Ramirez wants too much this guy would be a great replacement and he's better than Lowell who has not recovered from the 2005 hangover he had

by cubsfan2883 on Nov 6, 2006 8:23 PM CST up reply actions

I'd rather have Mike Lowell

by cubswin on Nov 6, 2006 8:17 PM CST reply actions

You would?

Why?

by Al Yellon on Nov 7, 2006 6:47 AM CST up reply actions

I think the Cubs need to get...

Matsuzaka
Iwamura
Vernon Wells (and EXTEND HIM)
Vincente Padilla

Keep Ramirez

Oh and Iwamura bats lefty.

To me. That's a very good off-season. But I've been saying this for a month and a half now.

"Unthinking respect for authority is the greatest enemy of truth." -- Albert Einstein

by tyger1147 on Nov 6, 2006 11:05 PM CST reply actions

Well...

it's a good offseason if Matsuzaka is as advertised and Iwamura is at the very least as good as some thing he might be and if Padilla has a decent season.

the combination of all three of those becoming reality are slim to none.

Obviously this could be said about any free agent you sign, but when you're taking a chance on two Japanese players that have never played a single inning of Major League Baseball, it's not as if you can act surprised if they end up being busts. The odds are so stacked against them that it's a terrible gamble.

by Maddog on Nov 6, 2006 11:27 PM CST up reply actions

I think Iwamura

would be a major pick up for the cubs. Infact I voted for him on the front page for a free agent hitter. He is versitile, bats lefty, younger, and he'd come faily cheap in comparison to other FA's on the market

by Laven on Nov 7, 2006 8:10 AM CST reply actions

According to MLBTradeRumors

It will take just a 1 mil posting fee.. Blow everyone out of the water.. and bid 2 mil.. YOU SIGNED GLENDON RUSCH FOR 2.5 For F@#% Sake.

Get this guy. I mean it Jim.. you need a good hitter.. a professioal hitter.. a guy who gets on base... If this guy turns out to be Joe Randa .. fine 2.5 mil plus a 3 mil or so contract per year isn't awful but if this guy turns out to be what he's capable of (C. Guillen) then you have a hell of a bargain.

by cubsfan2883 on Nov 7, 2006 2:26 PM CST reply actions

If...

... Iwamura could play SS, this would be a GREAT signing.

by Al Yellon on Nov 7, 2006 2:46 PM CST up reply actions

I know for sure they've said hec an play 2b..

and it was said via various scouts that he could play anywhere in the IF.. It's a bargain nonetheless even if he turns out to be a Joe Randa type player.. and I feel that's his basement and guys like Iguchi or Guillen are his ceiling.. I cannot stress how important having professional hitters are for a lineup and club in scoring runs.

by cubsfan2883 on Nov 7, 2006 2:47 PM CST up reply actions