Aramis Ramirez Is A (Wimp)

Editor's Note: This post is by Dusty, but he can't figure out how to log in, so he posted it in the comments of a post below. The site then broke for 14 hours. I'm not sure these two events are unrelated. - Wrigleyville.It's been well established on this blog that my favorite Chicago Cub is Aramis Ramirez. He's essentially been my favorite Cub since he joined the team (well, ok, behind Sammy pre-cork and other issues).But enough is enough.Aramis is a *****. Plain and simple. There's no other way to put it. Pansy just isn't strong enough a word to describe this man's intestinal fortitude, or great lack thereof. He's a *****. His team needs him and he won't play through the slightest pain ... and today he wouldn't play because of a head cold. All at a time when his team is on the verge of a free-fall and needs him more than ever.And after missing today's game because of a head cold, the Cubs need to sketch a plan to move him as soon as possible this offseason or when he hits a roll early next season - I say early next season, because Aramis will once again seek his time off with some assorted mild injury by June that will cause him to miss months of time.Jake Fox is the Cubs new third baseman. He's earned it. It's time to move on.The sad thing about this concession is that the Cubs need him. Clearly, they are a totally different team with him in the lineup than with him out of it. But he clearly doesn't want to be in the lineup - even when his team needs him most.Year after year after year, he misses weeks, if not months, at a time. Often at crucial times, such as now. Let's take this year's dislocated shoulder. My son broke his collarbone/separated shoulder and was back playing a contact sport in 6 weeks.Aramis can't struggle through even the most mild pain or discomfort - even though he's shown the past month that he's clearly capable of playing a high quality level despite not being 100 percent.My other son has severe allergies and plays two sports at a high level. Aramis misses games due to discomfort in his shoulder - which certainly isn't manifesting itself in his at-bats, as he's been on fire through this "discomfort" - and a head cold.Look at Derek Jeter. I watch him more closely than perhaps most Cubs fans because he's my son's favorite player and on my fantasy team - and frankly, the epitome of a major league ball player.This year alone, the guy has dislocated fingers, been hit on the hand numerous times this year, tweaked/pulled hammies this year, and his currently playing - and hitting like a freak - with a severely bruised foot.A severely bruised foot that would have put Aramis on the DL for a month. Aramis can't play because he has some discomfort in a dislocated shoulder that has to have healed by now. And a head cold. I'm repeating for emphasis.Think about this. In previous years, he's gone AWOL because of "tweaked" hammies or groins or whatever. Frankly, someone blows in this guy's ear and he's gotta sit.For a guy so big, he's a gigantic *****. More importantly, he's just not there for his team or his teammates. And that's the biggest reason to turn the page on the Aramis Ramirez era.I love the guy. I think he's a genuinely good guy who does his thing and keeps his mouth shut. But he is a wimp. And he doesn't care enough about his team or his teammates to play through even the most minor pain. The track record on this is clear. It's proven and irrefutable.Name the last season he didn't miss significant time.(Editor's Note: Ramirez played 149 games last year and 157 in 2006; he was not on the disabled list in either season. But Dusty's on a roll.)And list the last season it wasn't an injury other players - like Jeter - not only bounce back from in days but avoid going on the DL altogether.(Editor's Note: 2008. Before that, 2006.)Aramis, I love you. But you just don't love the Cubs or your teammates enough to work through the most minor of physical inconveniences for them.Whether intentional or not. I think it's not intentional, but I may be blinded by my fandom. Regardless, you're too talented and too unreliable for the Cubs to keep going through this summer dance with you every single year. Even A-Rod is tougher than you. And that's just sad.Jake Fox is showing he's going to be quite capable of filling your shoes over the next couple years. Let's trade Aramis to Boston or Philly or some other team in need of a 3B while we can still get something quality in return.Hasta la vista, Aramis. It's been nice, but you've either got to get some nads or go. And we've given you plenty of time to grow a pair. So it's time to go.