According to ESPNChicago.com, the Milwaukee Brewers are going to sign former Chicago Cub Aramis Ramirez to a three-year contract between $34 to $37 million.
This signing seemed to be inevitable considering Prince Fielder’s assumed departure via free agency but the deal is even more crucial now depending on what happens with Ryan Braun’s 50-game ban. Originally the Ramirez deal made sense because Milwaukee would then have someone similar to Fielder’s offensive numbers to protect Braun in the lineup. If Braun does get suspended, the signing could very well save the season.
In a division where the defending World Series champs lost their best player in Albert Pujols to the Los Angeles Angels last week, no team can afford to take a step back. The NL Central is wide open for the taking and the Brewers are the assumed team to take it.
Below are the 2011 statistics comparing Prince Fielder and Aramis Ramirez.
| GP | AB | Runs | Hits | HR | RBI | BB | SO | AVG. | OPS | |
| Prince Fielder | 162 | 569 | 95 | 170 | 38 | 120 | 107 | 106 | 0.299 | 0.981 |
| Aramis Ramirez | 149 | 565 | 80 | 173 | 26 | 93 | 43 | 69 | 0.306 | 0.871 |
If Braun can be the first ever MLB player to successfully appeal a failed drug test and Casey McGehee can regain his 2010 form, mixed with Ramirez signing with the Brewers, Milwaukee will be the heavy favorites to win the NL Central next season.
Follow me on Twitter @MichaelTerrill for Brewer updates.
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