MILWAUKEEAramis Ramirez never really cared what you thought anyway. He just did his jobvery welland became the best Cubs third baseman since Ron Santo.
The fans didnt really embrace Ramirez like that. He had trouble staying healthy and his body language turned off the media. But the perception definitely bothers his agent, Paul Kinzer, as they try to land their next big contract.
Surrounded by reporters, Kinzer stood in a Pfister Hotel hallway on Monday in Milwaukee, where general managers and owners are gathering for their annual meetings this week. Bob Brenlys words were still gnawing at him.
The Cubs television analyst went on WMVP-AM 1000 last month and called Ramirez a numbers gatherer who gets his stats at the end of the year every year. But defensively hes just fallen off the face of the earth.
It was very low class, Kinzer said, especially when a guys a free agent to try to damage his (reputation). Because if (Brenly) had something to say to him, he should have (said) it to his face when he was a Cub, not when he hits free agency.
They dont give Silver Sluggers out to Punch and Judy hitters. I dont know why there was a personal attack. (If) he had a personal problem with him, he should have come to (us) instead of trying to destroy him in the media.
Brenlywho could not be reached for comment Monday nighthas won many fans over because of his brutal honesty and sharp insights into the game. He also told The Waddle & Silvy Show that it was difficult to remember any big RBIs that (Ramirez) had or any period of time where they won a lot of games because of the way Aramis was swinging the bat.
MLB
Kinzer built a strong relationship with Jim Hendry before the general manager was fired last summer. The agent said there are no hard feelings toward Theo Epstein after the new president of baseball operations declined to work out an extension for Ramirez.
With the Cubs facing a massive rebuilding project, everyone agreed it was time to move on.
Its just at the point where thats an end of an era, Kinzer said. They have some things they have to do. And at this point in his career, (Aramis) wants (a ring). He loves Chicago, it hurts for him to leave, but thats just part of the sport.
Ramirez will be the best third baseman on the market after hitting .306 with 26 homers and 93 RBI last season. But he will be 34 next summer. Kinzer is angling for a four-year dealor three with an optionand expects to close next month at the winter meetings.
Were not in any hurryIm just feeling teams out, Kinzer said. As the market establishes itself, people (will) find out if theyre in (or) out on (Albert) Pujols and (Prince) Fielder and (Jose) Reyes. Aramis is going to be there. Hes not looking at an eight-year contract (and) that has to have some value.
Kinzer represents several high-profile Cubs, including Carlos Marmol, Geovany Soto and Starlin Castro, who will travel to Chicago later this week to meet Epstein in person. But theres no chance Ramirez returns to the North Side.
That ship sailed, the agent said.