Furniture movers

More tricks than treats await Theo and Cubs this week

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Interestingly, a decision on whether or not to extend Ramirez’ contract for next year is due this week as well. Management can keep him for $16 million or for $2 million, buy out his contract and effectively end his career with the Cubs. Similar decisions on starting pitcher Carlos Zambrano and first baseman Carlos Pena are also on Theo and Jed’s urgent to-do list.

A face-to-face sit down with current manager Mike Quade is also expected this week. Theo will be meeting Quade for the first time and must avoid becoming too influenced by personal charm and goodwill in order to make the proper baseball decision. Same goes with Zambrano although buying out the nearly $20 million owed to Big Z poses more risk than letting Quade go at a cost of between $2-$3 million due him next season.

Ramirez and Pena represent two of the Cubs’ biggest power hitters and while Ramirez had the more impressive stats last year, some of the numbers Theo and his fellow sabermaticians value like OPS and walks would seem to favor Pena. But in minor league hitting sensation Bryan LaHair , the Cubs have another left-handed hitting first baseman ready whereas their options to replace Ramirez at third base are not as apparent.

Source: Examiner.com