Time to Trade Carlos Zambrano?

[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.

 

 

Well, I asked these questions last week, and Paul Sullivan has answers today (link requires registration):

 

http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/cs-060709zambrano,1,3490951.story?coll=cs-cubs-headlines

 

Key takeaways:

 

(1) Sullivan's opinion: "Zambrano becomes a free agent after '07 and stands to cash in big with a four- or five-year deal worth $13 million to $15 million per season."

 

(2) Z's thinking: "I'd like to get that done before spring training or in spring training," Zambrano said Sunday. "If not, this is a business. I still have one more year with the Cubs. Hopefully it ends up in a good situation. I don't want to leave Chicago."

 

 

Hoops

 

My question to you Hoops is how do the Cubs brass feel about Z? I just have this funny feeling they are not thrilled with him for some reason. I really hope I'm wrong.

[mul21]

Also taken from that article, which is the attitude I wish everyone on this team had:

 

"I have no doubts about this team," he said. "We just didn't have good luck. Sometimes we do our jobs as pitchers and the hitters don't do their jobs, and sometimes the hitters do their jobs and we don't do our jobs.

 

"When the second half starts, everyone will come together and will do their job."

 

Hopefully without the current buffoon of a manager.

[HoopsCubs]

[My question to you Hoops is how do the Cubs brass feel about Z? I just have this funny feeling they are not thrilled with him for some reason. I really hope I'm wrong.

 

My sources tell me that despite his occasional on the field tirades, Hendry is absolutely thrilled with Zambrano. My observation is that Z has been more mature this year, especially the last 30 days.

 

I think this negotiation is heading down a very similar path to Lee and Wood from January 2004. So, here's my prediction: the 2 sides will agree to a 1 year $9M deal in January to avoid arbitration, and Hendry will state that he hopes to work out a long term deal by Spring Training. In late February, we'll get the word that Zambrano has agreed to a 3 year $43M extension to the $9M 1 year deal: i.e. total of 4 years and $52M:

 

2007 - $9M

2008 - $12M

2009 - $14M

2010 - $16M

2011 - $16M team option or $1M buyout

[CuseCubFan69]

[My question to you Hoops is how do the Cubs brass feel about Z? I just have this funny feeling they are not thrilled with him for some reason. I really hope I'm wrong.

 

My sources tell me that despite his occasional on the field tirades, Hendry is absolutely thrilled with Zambrano. My observation is that Z has been more mature this year, especially the last 30 days.

 

I think this negotiation is heading down a very similar path to Lee and Wood from January 2004. So, here's my prediction: the 2 sides will agree to a 1 year $9M deal in January to avoid arbitration, and Hendry will state that he hopes to work out a long term deal by Spring Training. In late February, we'll get the word that Zambrano has agreed to a 3 year $43M extension to the $9M 1 year deal: i.e. total of 4 years and $52M:

 

2007 - $9M

2008 - $12M

2009 - $14M

2010 - $16M

2011 - $16M team option or $1M buyout

 

That's great to hear Hoops!

[goonys evil twin]

Also taken from that article, which is the attitude I wish everyone on this team had:

 

"I have no doubts about this team," he said. "We just didn't have good luck. Sometimes we do our jobs as pitchers and the hitters don't do their jobs, and sometimes the hitters do their jobs and we don't do our jobs.

 

"When the second half starts, everyone will come together and will do their job."

 

Hopefully without the current buffoon of a manager.

 

I could do without a team that blames the results on bad luck.