The Milwaukee Brewers signed former Cubs third baseman Aramis Ramirez to a three-year deal reportedly worth about $12 million per season. Because Ramirez is a Type B free agent, the Cubs received a supplemental first round draft pick as compensation, and the Brewers did not forfeit a draft pick. As ESPN Chicago's Bruce Levine points out, Milwaukee needed Ramirez's bat:
With Prince Fielder being a free agent and Ryan Braun facing a 50-game suspension for failing a drug test, the defending NL Central-champion Brewers made a pre-emptive strike to boost their offense.
Ramirez hit .306/.361/.510 with 26 home runs and 93 RBI for the Cubs in 2011. Chicago may have to seek additional third base options in the free agent market.
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