Time to Trade Carlos Zambrano?

[LeftCoastCubFan]

I don’t believe the Cubs are likely to extend Z this off-season. Even though it was a good sign that he dropped Boras as his agent in January (signed with Scott Shapiro and Barry Praver) he is still likely to be too expensive for the Cubs. Given increasing revenues and more profitable teams, the price of pitching is going up. Just look at AJ Burnett’s contract from last year at 5/55. If Z continues to pitch the way he has, bidding probably starts at 6/72 given his age (26 after next season) and durability (likely his 5th straight 200 plus inning season). The Cubs were always unlikely to go more then 4 guaranteed years with a pitcher, and are less likely due to the past few years with Wood and Prior.

 

Right now the likely scenario will be like past negotiations; they will talk in spring training. But with the prospects of talks failing and expecting at best being wild card contenders in 2007, we may be missing an opportunity. Next all-star break we could get a few decent prospects or a draft pick when he leaves (assuming no major injuries).

 

If we trade him this year (whether at the deadline or off-season) we can get much more then we would get for a few month rental next year. It gives us the opportunity to go for the cream of the crop of a Dodger or Arizona or Anaheim, Texas’ established hitters, or even possibly as a cornerstone for a run on A-Rod (in the off-season when the Yankees don’t make the playoffs).

 

This year is the time to move him.

[Tracer Bullet]

I disagree. I think the Cubs will extend Z. I don't know the cost, but I think the Cubs will pay it. They have one of the highest payrolls in the league. They can afford to pay Z.

[LeftCoastCubFan]

It's not the dollars, it's the length. Anything over 4 years is likely problematic.

[Wheelimus]

I have a feeling he'll get a 4 year contract this off season with vesting 5th and 6th years based on innings thrown, with him having the ability to void the options if he so chooses.

 

Giving him the chance to either accept the years if it feels right, re-negotiate them in a new contract with us, or go onto the free agent market for a big money contract at barely 30 years old.

[CuseCubFan69]

I think it might depend on what direction the Cubs go with Wood and Prior. If they let Wood go that's a lot of money that could go to Z and if they trade Prior than IMO they have to sign Z.

[NCCubFan]

There will be a fan riot if they trade Z. I think many people from this board will be leading it. He's one player the Cubs MUST keep at all costs.

[CuseCubFan69]

There will be a fan riot if they trade Z. I think many people from this board will be leading it. He's one player the Cubs MUST keep at all costs.

 

If the Cubs do keep Baker around I see him riding Z into the ground and that worries me. He's the best horse Baker has and he's going to ride him until he breaks.

[Ding Dong Johnson]

Z goes only if an ARod/Cabrera/Pujols type hitter comes back.

[Fro]

Trading Z = throwing in the towel on the next 3-4 years

 

You might as well sell off the whole dang team if you do that.

[Lefty]

They must extend him. Any discussion otherwise makes this whole site irrelevant.

[JeffH]

If the Cubs trade Carlos Zambrano, the ballclub should be contracted.

[CubsBullsBears]

NO!! Keep Z. He's our most reliable horse (no reference to Dusty's comments about his horses Pagan, Miller, and Bynum), and once the Dust Bag is canned, hopefully our new manager will use him right and won't injure him.

[bleedcubbieblue]

he is still likely to be too expensive for the Cubs

 

Why?????

 

If there is a team that can afford whatever he is asking for, it is the Cubune, along with a few other teams, but there is no way they cannot afford him. Will they choose not to extend him in the name of fiscal responsibilty? Anything is possible with these bozos, but I do look for them to extend him. After the last 3 years, he certainly deserves the money Kerry Wood is making much more so than Kerry.

 

Also, let's take a closer look at what has happened to this team over the course of the last 3 years, in which our total payroll has gone up very little since our run in 2003. They have bilked money out of the roof top pirates, added many, many, many seats out in the bleachers which they have been looking to do for a very long time, and the season is pretty well soldout and has been since day 1. There is now the advertisment you see right behind home plate, which they are making money on, and I think had promised they would never do. They now have advertisment in the dugouts, and lastly, increase ticket prices every year since then, and yet, payroll on a whole, has gone up very little since 2003. While we can argue all day long about how badly J Hendry has done spending that payroll and that it should not have been increased the little it has, maybe if they had agreed to open those purse strings just a little more, maybe we would have some better talent on this team.

 

Trust me, this team can afford anything Carlos is asking for and then some, and if anything, Kerry Wood should be cut loose at the end of the year, and that money should be given to Carlos, he certainly deserves it more than Kerry does. In the name of fiscal responsibility, they need to sign Carlos and extend him to the contract he so richly deserves.

 

BCB

[Hacking Out Machine]

No player is too expensive for the Cubs. They throw money around like it grows on trees. They are paying more than $2M a year for Neifi Perez and Glendon Rusch. They are paying $4M apiece for two non closing relievers. They're paying more than $5M for a right fielder who should be a strict platoon player, and a guy that nobody else was interested in paying close to that rate for. They just put together a $7M package for Jeff Samardijza, who was about the 4th best pitcher on his own college team, as well as a $1M+ signing bonus for an 11th round high school pitcher coming off Tommy John surgery.

 

If moves like these start to cost them the ability to afford anyone of value, let alone Carlos Zambrano, there ought to be a Frankenstien style mob on it's way to Clark and Addison looking for Hendry's carcass.

[Brian]

Z goes only if an ARod/Cabrera/Pujols type hitter comes back.

 

honestly I'd only trade him if ALL three off those come back.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

First of all, I'm not in favor of trading Zmabrano. Assume the Cubs decided to, there's only a few teams that I think could afford to offer what I would want in return. If I did trade him, it would have to be Hershel Walker-like.

 

I'd trade him to the Angels for Jared Weaver, Brandon Wood, Dallas McPherson, and another prosepect.

 

I'd trade him to the Diamondbacks for Drew, Quentin, Gonzalez, and another prospect.

 

I'd trade him to the Rangers for Danks, Diamond, and Volquez and Kinsler. To help them out, I'd throw in Walker.

 

There may be some others, but those are all I can think of and even if those deals were on the table, I'd lean heavily toward keeping him. The Cubs have the money to keep Zambrano around for a long time, so trading him really shouldn't become an option, at least not at this stage.

[bleedcubbieblue]

First of all, I'm not in favor of trading Zmabrano. Assume the Cubs decided to, there's only a few teams that I think could afford to offer what I would want in return. If I did trade him, it would have to be Hershel Walker-like.

 

I'd trade him to the Angels for Jared Weaver, Brandon Wood, Dallas McPherson, and another prosepect.

 

I'd trade him to the Diamondbacks for Drew, Quentin, Gonzalez, and another prospect.

 

I'd trade him to the Rangers for Danks, Diamond, and Volquez and Kinsler. To help them out, I'd throw in Walker.

 

There may be some others, but those are all I can think of and even if those deals were on the table, I'd lean heavily toward keeping him. The Cubs have the money to keep Zambrano around for a long time, so trading him really shouldn't become an option, at least not at this stage.

 

I am for trading him if they actually could put together a plan of attack for the future of this organization, like pulling off a trade you suggest, to get some front line propects. But after watching Hendry do what he has done to this organization, and having a farm that was supposed to be stocked to begin with back then, which he built, there was no reason he should not have been able to build off that 2003 team, and build them into a power house that should still be contending. But as you can see, he is quite clueless, and cannot think outside of a paper box, and relying on Wood and Prior too much.

 

Carlos is young enough and a piece to build around, along with D Lee, I could also make the same argument about A Ram, as we can see how long it took to find him after Santo left, because I just don't think management has a clue about anything. But I would start with those 3 pieces and build from there. You have a few young arms that seem to have a bright future, how about using this last half year finding out some more about them? Same can be said about Murton in left, instead of being the base stealing specialist? What is the difference if we finish 20 or 30 out, they are only numbers, as long as it is not first place.

 

BCB

[HoopsCubs]

One important angle to consider: does Carlos want to be here after 2007?

 

The negotiation will be tough and tense, but my strong sense is that there will be enough money available in the budget to make him happy, and an agreeable amount of years (5 is my guess) to get it done.

 

But unlike Wood and Lee, who my sources felt absolutely wanted to remain in Cub uniforms in the offseason leading up to their walk years, I don't think anyone has a good indication one way or another what Carlos wants. My fear would be that he wants to go elsewhere not for money reasons, but because he feels that he has nothing to show for his excellent body of work in the last 4/5 years in terms of post-season team success and consistent winning teams. To me, that is Hendry's biggest challenge: convincing Carlos that this club has the strategy and financial where-with-all to be consistent winners. That's a tough sell to an uber-emotional guy like Carlos.

[CuseCubFan69]

One important angle to consider: does Carlos want to be here after 2007?

 

The negotiation will be tough and tense, but my strong sense is that there will be enough money available in the budget to make him happy, and an agreeable amount of years (5 is my guess) to get it done.

 

But unlike Wood and Lee, who my sources felt absolutely wanted to remain in Cub uniforms in the offseason leading up to their walk years, I don't think anyone has a good indication one way or another what Carlos wants. My fear would be that he wants to go elsewhere not for money reasons, but because he feels that he has nothing to show for his excellent body of work in the last 4/5 years in terms of post-season team success and consistent winning teams. To me, that is Hendry's biggest challenge: convincing Carlos that this club has the strategy and financial where-with-all to be consistent winners. That's a tough sell to an uber-emotional guy like Carlos.

 

I think that may depend on how well the Cubs are doing and what direction they are going in. If they continue to stink I can't imagine a competitor like Z wanting to stay.

[bleedcubbieblue]

One important angle to consider: does Carlos want to be here after 2007?

 

The negotiation will be tough and tense, but my strong sense is that there will be enough money available in the budget to make him happy, and an agreeable amount of years (5 is my guess) to get it done.

 

But unlike Wood and Lee, who my sources felt absolutely wanted to remain in Cub uniforms in the offseason leading up to their walk years, I don't think anyone has a good indication one way or another what Carlos wants. My fear would be that he wants to go elsewhere not for money reasons, but because he feels that he has nothing to show for his excellent body of work in the last 4/5 years in terms of post-season team success and consistent winning teams. To me, that is Hendry's biggest challenge: convincing Carlos that this club has the strategy and financial where-with-all to be consistent winners. That's a tough sell to an uber-emotional guy like Carlos.

 

If there is one thing I can say about the Cubs and their tatics under the Tribune is that they usually take care of their own, and reward guys for having big years. The only guy I can think of that they did not was Maddux and really, they had offered more money ultimately than the Braves did, but Himes bungled that whole mess. They took care of Sosa whenever his contract came up, they just reupped D Lee, they took care of A Ram when he was up, Dawson they always took care of until they thought it was time to let him go because of his age. They took care of Ryne whenever his contracts came up, same can be said about Wood. So the one thing I will say is that they take care of their own. It is the outside free agents that they are wary of giving the big money to. So I suspect that they will take care of Carlos when the time comes, and money seems to go a long way in smoothing things over, and telling a ballplayer what they think of him.

 

BCB

[CubsBullsBears]

Z goes only if an ARod/Cabrera/Pujols type hitter comes back.

 

honestly I'd only trade him if ALL three off those come back.

You'd have to wait until they all join the Yankees. :P :D

[CuseCubFan69]

Z goes only if an ARod/Cabrera/Pujols type hitter comes back.

 

honestly I'd only trade him if ALL three off those come back.

You'd have to wait until they all join the Yankees. :P :D

 

Imagine that? Put Jeter at second and that infield would be one of the All time best.

[soccer10k]

Under no circumstances should the Cubs trade Carlos Zambrano.

[ConstableRabbit]

There will be a fan riot if they trade Z. I think many people from this board will be leading it. He's one player the Cubs MUST keep at all costs.

 

I hope you weren't being literal here :P

[Guest]

I can think of trades where I'd let Carlos go. But it would take an exceptional package and I wouldn't shop him. I'd certainly listen if the Angels came to me with an offer of Kendrick, Wood & Weaver, though. Or if the DBacks came with an offer of Quentin, Drew & Upton. Or the Dodgers with an offer of Kemp, Guzman and Billingsley.

 

But it would take packages like those to even make me consider it. I can't see those teams giving up anything like that, so I think I'd be holding on to Carlos.