Q.  Is Ramos good enough to be considered #2 in the Twins org?

A.  Yes, probably, considering that they're not stacked with exciting prospects at the moment.  A Ramos + Hicks (+?) offer looks like a "pick any two" offer.

As noted below, already you've cashed in nicely, if you bet the over.  As you know, we live to serve.

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Q.  Does SSI like Ramos more, or less, than other places do?

A.  A bit more than other places do, whereas I like Aaron Hicks quite a bit less than other places do.  There isn't a lot of separation between the two players, in value, from where I sit.  ... where I sit, is a looooooong ways away.  Like on top of the building across from Wrigley.

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Q.  Comps for Ramos? 

A.  Pretty much Adam Moore, perhaps a bit more so, which is a compliment.  (Remember the ARod 10-Step Path.  Don't forget Moore just because his first 100 AB's didn't light the world up.  Moore is a very good prospect himself.)

He shares with Moore the following attributes:

• Real good arm, reportedly
• Natural movements behind the plate
• Good contact swing, high HIT rating for a catcher
• Projectable power
• Real beefy guy, pretty scary actually, on Cellblock D you avoid this template at any cost
  
• Will certainly catch in the major leagues at least part-time, most likely as a starter at some point

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Q.  What does BaseballHQ have on him?

A.  Order their book here; it seems to be the best one of its type.

HQ has Ramos as an 8B prospect, quite a high grade, considerably higher than Moore's 7A grade.  HQ thinks Ramos will probably be one of the 8-10 best catchers in either the AL or NL, in his prime.  Their analysis:

• Physically strong and athletic (like Moore)
• Has plus PWR (potential 30-homer man in majors)
• Tends to focus more on HIT (dials back to line-drive swing)
• No EYE
  
• Could possibly hit for both AVG and HR
• Sound catcher with agility and very good arm

In other words, Ramos is a textbook catching prospect if what you're trying to prospect for is A.J. Pierzynski or Miguel Olivo, as opposed to prospecting for a star.

..............

All bets are off if Capt Jack projects Ramos as a 30-homer catching star, which he might. 

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Q.  Does it make sense to trade for him if you already have another version of him, in Adam Moore?

A.  Sure.  Moore hasn't panned out yet.  If Moore were already creating 5.0 runs per game and playing fine defense, it would be a different conversation.  But he is not.

This deal would give you 2-to-make-1.  It would therefore give you very high chances of drawing an average-solid, club-controls starting catcher.

Very boring, very workmanlike, very pedestrian, very logical #2 player in a Cliff Lee deal.   You gotta have a catcher, or you'll have a lotta balls to the backstop.

Would much rather try to get some star power.  But I don't have to answer for the stoploss.

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Cheers,

Dr D