The Curse of Wrigley Field

The free agent market just got more interesting and the Cubs just got a whole lot worse.  With Derek Lee on the shelf in most of 2006, the Cubs offense was Aramis Ramirez.  He’s now decided to opt out of his contract, which will save the Cubs $22.5 million (with potentially another $11 million with an option in 2009) and test the market.  Ramirez will top a weak crop of third basemen but he’ll also be one of the top free agents out there.

For Cubs fans, the team now has to find a third baseman IF the Cubs decide they can’t afford Ramirez.  Regardless, they’ll have to pay more then they initially thought or be out a huge power bat.