Aramis Ramirez Will Return In 2011

Only a couple days after questioning his future with the Chicago Cubs, Aramis Ramirez told the Chicago Sun Times that he will be exercising his $14.6MM player option for the 2011 season, and return to the Chicago Cubs.

"”Yes,” he said of his plans to return. ”I’m leaning on it.”Leaning?”I’m staying here,” he said. ”Put it that way.”"

"”And you can print it: I have confidence in [general manager] Jim [Hendry],” Ramirez said. ”He’s a smart guy. He’s going to turn this around.” CHICAGO SUN TIMES"

This really should come to no surprise to anyone, as Ramirez would have been foolish to pass up on $14.6MM especially after year in which he struggled for the most of the first half.

The Chicago Cubs will be very dependent on the return of a healthy Aramis Ramirez next season. Obviously, that was the key to this season, but Ramirez could not produce or stay healthy for the whole season. Which shows again why a productive Aramis Ramirez would lead to a productive and much improved Cubs offense.