Sign Zito

[Shavo]

5 years, 45 Million.

 

Zito, Zambrano, Prior, Marmol, Marshall if Prior is good to go.

 

If not, Zito, Zambrano, Marmol, Marshall, Guzman.

[baseball7897]

5 years, 45 Million.

 

Zito, Zambrano, Prior, Marmol, Marshall if Prior is good to go.

 

If not, Zito, Zambrano, Marmol, Marshall, Guzman.

 

I love the idea of signing Zito. Although I think it will cost more than 45 million. Zito will probably get 11-13 million a year.

[bsucubsfan]

as much as i would love that... Barry Zito will be the most sought out pitcher on the market. when was the last time the best free agent pitcher got only 9 mill a year.

[genbar]

where do i sign?

[PrimeTime]

Hopefully we can get him or someone else, we are in big need of a star pitcher since maddux is done , wood is done,and who knows whats goin on with prior

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Schmidt

 

Low years, high dollars

[soccer10k]

I'm not a big fan of Zito but one positive to signing him would be his going from the American League to the National League which means his ERA would likely drop a bit. I don't think the Cubs should shell out the money it is going to take to get him (like somebody else said, in the $12 mil range) especially for 5 years. Of course, I think that either the Yankees or Red Sox will offer Zito more than anybody else.

 

As for Schmidt, I wouldn't mind seeing him in a Cubs uniform if we gave him a 2 or 3 year deal. But they would have to be careful about the amount of money they give him because Schmidt could be the successor to Kerry Wood. He has missed a few starts in each of the past few years because of arm trouble and over 105 P/GS for each of the past 3 years (4 if you include this year). I'm not saying we shouldn't, but I would like to see a semi-incentive laden deal. Give Schmidt the opportunity to earn a couple extra million a year.

[goonys evil twin]

I'm not a big fan of Zito but one positive to signing him would be his going from the American League to the National League which means his ERA would likely drop a bit.

 

While this is probably true, how much of an effect will playing in the AL West, namely Oakland, and moving to the hitter's paradise of the NL Central offset the benefit?

 

Zito has not been a special pitcher for quite some time. His ERA+ was between 125 and 175 for 4 years, but he's been at just 105 and 116 the past 2 years. He might be off to a better start this year, but if he stays in that lower range he doesn't deserve the type of money people are talking about. It's interesting to note that baseball reference lists Mike Hampton as the most similar pitcher. Hampton signed his big free agent deal at the same age (actually a little younger) as Zito will be when he signs his deal. And he was actually coming off better years than Barry.

[soccer10k]

I'm not a big fan of Zito but one positive to signing him would be his going from the American League to the National League which means his ERA would likely drop a bit.

 

While this is probably true, how much of an effect will playing in the AL West, namely Oakland, and moving to the hitter's paradise of the NL Central offset the benefit?

 

Zito has not been a special pitcher for quite some time. His ERA+ was between 125 and 175 for 4 years, but he's been at just 105 and 116 the past 2 years. He might be off to a better start this year, but if he stays in that lower range he doesn't deserve the type of money people are talking about. It's interesting to note that baseball reference lists Mike Hampton as the most similar pitcher. Hampton signed his big free agent deal at the same age (actually a little younger) as Zito will be when he signs his deal. And he was actually coming off better years than Barry.

 

I agree with you. I guess I didn't make it clear that I don't really want to sign Zito. I live out West and hear about him all the time and think he is overrated. I was just listing one theoretical positive of signing him. Obviously there are numerous negatives, includeing the point you made, that I believe outweigh the positives.

 

He had two spectacular years (2000 and 2002), two very good years (2001 and 2003), one good year (2005), and one eh year (2004). The trend is not moving in the right direction. If he didn't win the Cy Young in 2002, I don't think there would be as many people talking about him as a premier pitcher. But because he has a Cy to his resume, he gets more pub.

[Iceblink]

So if you're a pitcher with a chance to go to say, St. Louis, New York, Boston, Los Angeles, or even the ChiSox, would you pass on that to join a team that's spent 2 years being bad on the field, in the dugout, and, most importantly, in the front office?

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

If it's Zito at 5/60 or Schmidt at 3/33, I'll take Schmidt.

[KingCubsFan]

If it's Zito at 5/60 or Schmidt at 3/33, I'll take Schmidt.

Why? So you can replace one injury-prone pitcher with another? Schmidt may not have the injury history of Kerry Wood, but he's pitched a lot the last few years and is on the downside of his career. And if Dusty is still the manager, he'll never make it past the all-star break of the first year. I'm not really in favor of giving five year deals to pitchers, but Zito is one I would consider.

[Shavo]

IDC how much Zito costs, with Wood coming off the books I want it done.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

If it's Zito at 5/60 or Schmidt at 3/33, I'll take Schmidt.

Why? So you can replace one injury-prone pitcher with another? Schmidt may not have the injury history of Kerry Wood, but he's pitched a lot the last few years and is on the downside of his career. And if Dusty is still the manager, he'll never make it past the all-star break of the first year. I'm not really in favor of giving five year deals to pitchers, but Zito is one I would consider.

 

Schmidt has been the better pitcher. He's had some arm troubles, but seems to be quite durable. I think Schmidt is more likely to be a dominating starter than Zito will be.

[Brian]

Both New York teams will get into a bidding war over him and it'll get ugly.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

If it's Zito at 5/60 or Schmidt at 3/33, I'll take Schmidt.

Why? So you can replace one injury-prone pitcher with another? Schmidt may not have the injury history of Kerry Wood, but he's pitched a lot the last few years and is on the downside of his career. And if Dusty is still the manager, he'll never make it past the all-star break of the first year. I'm not really in favor of giving five year deals to pitchers, but Zito is one I would consider.

 

Schmidt has had 1 year in his career as a full time starter(11 years) where he started less than 25 games. Only 2 where he started less than 29, and the most recent of those was 2001. Schmidt has been used quite a bit, but I'd rather take the risk of injury(even though he hasn't had any so he may be able to handle it) for production that is really good for someone who may or may not be good but will probably be healthy(which is no guarantee with pitching).

[soccer10k]

If it's Zito at 5/60 or Schmidt at 3/33, I'll take Schmidt.

 

It will be a mistake if the Cubs offer those types of contracts to those two pitchers. I would much rather have the Cubs pass on both of them but if I had to pick one for the Cubs to go after, I would go with Schmidt. Although 11 mil per year is too much to offer him.

[soccer10k]

If it's Zito at 5/60 or Schmidt at 3/33, I'll take Schmidt.

Why? So you can replace one injury-prone pitcher with another? Schmidt may not have the injury history of Kerry Wood, but he's pitched a lot the last few years and is on the downside of his career. And if Dusty is still the manager, he'll never make it past the all-star break of the first year. I'm not really in favor of giving five year deals to pitchers, but Zito is one I would consider.

 

Schmidt has had 1 year in his career as a full time starter(11 years) where he started less than 25 games. Only 2 where he started less than 29, and the most recent of those was 2001. Schmidt has been used quite a bit, but I'd rather take the risk of injury(even though he hasn't had any so he may be able to handle it) for production that is really good for someone who may or may not be good but will probably be healthy(which is no guarantee with pitching).

 

But how much better is Schmidt than Zito? I don't think there is a significant difference between the two. Remember that Zito has been pitching the AL while Schmidt has been in the NL. And I don't think there has been much of a difference between the AL and NL West over the past couple years either.

[Neuby]

If the Cubs can afford Schmidt and two impact bats then I'm all for Schmidt.

[NorthsideAvenger]

I have a BRILLIANT idea...how about the Cubs DON'T sign any of the big FA pitchers, and let guys like Carlos Marmol, Angel Guzman, JK Ryu, Sean Marshall all battle it out for the 3-4-5 spots. Or how about signing/trading for a decent workhorse guy like a Steve Trachsel (I know, I know) if any of the young guys are struggling.

 

I'm more interested in getting a big bat for the OF, moreso then getting a high price FA pitcher, ala AJ Burnett, or Mike Hampton.

[srbin84]

I can't believe after Wood and Prior, people are still fawning for the injury risk. Zito NEVER misses a start and would surely benefit from a move to the NL. Let's say Schmidt only misses 5 starts a year. You still have to see Rusch or Hill go 0-5 10+ ERA, so no, I don't want anybody who is at any kind of added injury risk.

[baseball7897]

I can't believe after Wood and Prior, people are still fawning for the injury risk. Zito NEVER misses a start and would surely benefit from a move to the NL. Let's say Schmidt only misses 5 starts a year. You still have to see Rusch or Hill go 0-5 10+ ERA, so no, I don't want anybody who is at any kind of added injury risk.

 

Zito will go out and make his 35 starts a year and pitch 220 innings a year. I would take Zito over Schimdt in a heart beat.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

I can't believe after Wood and Prior, people are still fawning for the injury risk. Zito NEVER misses a start and would surely benefit from a move to the NL. Let's say Schmidt only misses 5 starts a year. You still have to see Rusch or Hill go 0-5 10+ ERA, so no, I don't want anybody who is at any kind of added injury risk.

 

Schmidt's missed like 5 starts in 5 years.

[baseball7897]

I can't believe after Wood and Prior, people are still fawning for the injury risk. Zito NEVER misses a start and would surely benefit from a move to the NL. Let's say Schmidt only misses 5 starts a year. You still have to see Rusch or Hill go 0-5 10+ ERA, so no, I don't want anybody who is at any kind of added injury risk.

 

Schmidt's missed like 5 starts in 5 years.

 

Zito missed like 1 start in 5 years

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

I can't believe after Wood and Prior, people are still fawning for the injury risk. Zito NEVER misses a start and would surely benefit from a move to the NL. Let's say Schmidt only misses 5 starts a year. You still have to see Rusch or Hill go 0-5 10+ ERA, so no, I don't want anybody who is at any kind of added injury risk.

 

Schmidt's missed like 5 starts in 5 years.

 

But his way strenghtens his argument. Why let facts get in the way?