Extending Zambrano

[RynoRules]

Not that I am advocating it, but the Yankees and Mets both lost out their targeted FA starter. Zambrano could bring a nice return if Hendry put him on the block, and if the Cubs lose him anyways it would be nice to have something in return. Does anyone think the Yankees, Mets or

Dodgers would offer their top 2 or 3 pitching prospects for Z? And is it worth the gamble.

My own feeling is that this becomes an option worth possibly exploring if the Cubs bomb in the first half of 2007. That is to say, all the things that can go wrong do (Lee can't recover, Soriano reverts back to 2004-2005, same with DeRosa, Marquis and/or Lilly bomb, etc.). If the Cubs are toiling in the cellar again, you start exploring a trade of Zambrano (among others) to "re-load" on prospects, IMO. He's going to be owed a truck-load of money and it might not be in the best interest of the Cubs to pay it to him if they have no hope of contending with their current roster. Get what you can out of him and re-group.

 

If the Cubs are tanking the first half, Zambrano could be the player that helps the Cubs unload Marquis and Derosa's contracts.

 

Good point. If we stink we might as well unload some bad contracts with him and get some young guys who can help in 08'.

[Soul]

Not that I am advocating it, but the Yankees and Mets both lost out their targeted FA starter. Zambrano could bring a nice return if Hendry put him on the block, and if the Cubs lose him anyways it would be nice to have something in return. Does anyone think the Yankees, Mets or

Dodgers would offer their top 2 or 3 pitching prospects for Z? And is it worth the gamble.

My own feeling is that this becomes an option worth possibly exploring if the Cubs bomb in the first half of 2007. That is to say, all the things that can go wrong do (Lee can't recover, Soriano reverts back to 2004-2005, same with DeRosa, Marquis and/or Lilly bomb, etc.). If the Cubs are toiling in the cellar again, you start exploring a trade of Zambrano (among others) to "re-load" on prospects, IMO. He's going to be owed a truck-load of money and it might not be in the best interest of the Cubs to pay it to him if they have no hope of contending with their current roster. Get what you can out of him and re-group.

 

If the Cubs are tanking the first half, Zambrano could be the player that helps the Cubs unload Marquis and Derosa's contracts.

 

Good point. If we stink we might as well unload some bad contracts with him and get some young guys who can help in 08'.

 

Funny as it sounds, I think Hendry might have to be 1) Fired, or 2) Extended in order for the youth movement to begin. He's in total short-term mode right now. Prospects take his strategy well beyond his contract. Doesn't do him any good.

[CuseCubFan69]

Either extend Z or trade him.

[goonys evil twin]

Either extend Z or trade him.

 

yep

[frostwyrm]

Either extend Z or trade him.

 

Not a chance in hell Z will be traded. Hendry has 100% committed the Cubs to winning now and it's way too late to turn back even if he wanted to. It wouldn't surprise me to see Z get a deal in which he makes only $8M in in '07 and '08 and $28M in '09 and '10. Hendry has already gambled his career on winning in the next 2 years so more deferred debt won't bother him.

[Shavo]

As much as I love Z, I wouldnt pay 18M+ a year for any pitcher.

[CuseCubFan69]

Either extend Z or trade him.

 

Not a chance in hell Z will be traded. Hendry has 100% committed the Cubs to winning now and it's way too late to turn back even if he wanted to. It wouldn't surprise me to see Z get a deal in which he makes only $8M in in '07 and '08 and $28M in '09 and '10. Hendry has already gambled his career on winning in the next 2 years so more deferred debt won't bother him.

 

If Hendry just lets Z go the Free Agent route then the Cubs make an even bigger mistake than I thought by extending his (Hendrys) contract. I agree that he is in a win now mode but just letting this drag out is foolish IMO. Plus, a huge mega deal with the Angels/Yanks or another team that has possible impact prospects and needs pitching could still help the Cubs continue winning or at least attempt to, and for the future.

 

If worse comes to worse, how many draft picks would the Cubs get for Z if he goes the free agent route?

[goonys evil twin]

As much as I love Z, I wouldnt pay 18M+ a year for any pitcher.

 

If I was running a team with a $120m payroll, I'd have no problem paying $18m to the 1997-2005 version of Pedro.

[BigbadB]

If worse comes to worse, how many draft picks would the Cubs get for Z if he goes the free agent route?

 

I'll go out on a limb and guess not enough.

[CuseCubFan69]

If worse comes to worse, how many draft picks would the Cubs get for Z if he goes the free agent route?

 

I'll go out on a limb and guess not enough.

 

You're a bold man! What would kill me is watching the Cubs use those 2 picks for elbow injury prospects.

 

My thinking is that Hendry is waiting for the dust to settle and see how much his 2007 team is going to cost before talking to Z. If he gives him the 17-20 now that may stop all other spending but if he does it during Spring Training it won't hamper the off season.

[Handlebar McSkullet]

As much as I love Z, I wouldnt pay 18M+ a year for any pitcher.

 

If I had to pay 18 mil, it would be for Zambrano... and I cant think of another pitcher over him

[CheeseHead Cubs Fan]

There is a simple solution to all of this. Run Zambrano out there for about 300 IP this coming season and then sign him to a minimum salary deal while they sew his labrum back on. :D

 

Of course this is not a joking matter. But, looking at how this offseason went and the money that was spent, it's absolutely shocking they couldn't find a way to make sure they took care of their own first.

 

If Zambrano walks, this offseason might just go down as the worst offseason of Hendry's tenure. And he's had some real doozy's.

 

Perhaps a bit presumptuous? Not sure how you can point a finger at Hendry for something that has yet to happen.

 

Did you miss the words "if" and "might"?

 

I understand that they are small words, so maybe your brain just didn't register them.

 

comments deleted ... I'll keep them to myself!

Edited December 29, 2006 by CheeseHead Cubs Fan

[KingCubsFan]

As much as I love Z, I wouldnt pay 18M+ a year for any pitcher.

 

If I had to pay 18 mil, it would be for Zambrano... and I cant think of another pitcher over him

Johan Santana?

[goonys evil twin]

As much as I love Z, I wouldnt pay 18M+ a year for any pitcher.

 

If I had to pay 18 mil, it would be for Zambrano... and I cant think of another pitcher over him

Johan Santana?

 

Santana is a no-brainer, while Webb should probably also get the nod. Oswalt has a heck of an arguement, but I can understand being afraid of him longer term.

[Guest]

There is a simple solution to all of this. Run Zambrano out there for about 300 IP this coming season and then sign him to a minimum salary deal while they sew his labrum back on. :D

 

Of course this is not a joking matter. But, looking at how this offseason went and the money that was spent, it's absolutely shocking they couldn't find a way to make sure they took care of their own first.

 

If Zambrano walks, this offseason might just go down as the worst offseason of Hendry's tenure. And he's had some real doozy's.

 

It's still too early to be certain, but come 2009 the Cubs will likely have the worst team in the history of pro sports on a dollar-per-win basis.

Don't football teams have a much higher salary/win ratio?aleck>

[nilodnayr]

If worse comes to worse, how many draft picks would the Cubs get for Z if he goes the free agent route?

 

I'll go out on a limb and guess not enough.

 

You're a bold man! What would kill me is watching the Cubs use those 2 picks for elbow injury prospects.

 

My thinking is that Hendry is waiting for the dust to settle and see how much his 2007 team is going to cost before talking to Z. If he gives him the 17-20 now that may stop all other spending but if he does it during Spring Training it won't hamper the off season.

 

No, they will probably only use one for an elboy injury prospect, the other will go to a guy that everyone else had as a 10th rounder on their boards.

[imb]

There is a simple solution to all of this. Run Zambrano out there for about 300 IP this coming season and then sign him to a minimum salary deal while they sew his labrum back on. :D

 

Of course this is not a joking matter. But, looking at how this offseason went and the money that was spent, it's absolutely shocking they couldn't find a way to make sure they took care of their own first.

 

If Zambrano walks, this offseason might just go down as the worst offseason of Hendry's tenure. And he's had some real doozy's.

 

Perhaps a bit presumptuous? Not sure how you can point a finger at Hendry for something that has yet to happen.

 

Did you miss the words "if" and "might"?

 

I understand that they are small words, so maybe your brain just didn't register them.

 

comments deleted ... I'll keep them to myself!

 

Sorry, your post just made no sense. He said "if a happens, then b", then you chided him for being presumptuous, when he had already stated that he would hold that opinion until it actually happened.

[Handlebar McSkullet]

As much as I love Z, I wouldnt pay 18M+ a year for any pitcher.

 

If I had to pay 18 mil, it would be for Zambrano... and I cant think of another pitcher over him

 

Oh yeah Santana.... Zambrano is better than Webb, IMO, Oswalt is solid, but... I would still rather have Zambrano

[cbbryan]

You have to remember that Hendry signed a guy like Lilly for 10M/per. I know he values Z and I really have no doubt that Z will sign an extension.

 

You also have to remember that this management wanted to bring back Maddux to "right a wrong" from the past. I don't think they'll let Z walk.

[b_wiggy_66]

It is imperative the Hendry re-signs Z this spring. This is from Olney's latest blog post:

 

"If he were to opt for free agency next fall, he would be the focus of the biggest bidding war for a pitcher in baseball history. The Red Sox might be looking to replace Curt Schilling and Tim Wakefield, the Yankees will have tons of money to spend with Randy Johnson and others set to drop off their payroll, and the Mets will still need a frontline-type starter. All of the big-market teams will be in play, plus the Cubs"

 

Could be the biggest pitcher contract ever. We need to give Z whatever he wants before the season starts.

[cbbryan]

It is imperative the Hendry re-signs Z this spring. This is from Olney's latest blog post:

 

"If he were to opt for free agency next fall, he would be the focus of the biggest bidding war for a pitcher in baseball history. The Red Sox might be looking to replace Curt Schilling and Tim Wakefield, the Yankees will have tons of money to spend with Randy Johnson and others set to drop off their payroll, and the Mets will still need a frontline-type starter. All of the big-market teams will be in play, plus the Cubs"

 

Could be the biggest pitcher contract ever. We need to give Z whatever he wants before the season starts.

 

I agree. Z is one of the few guys I'd endorse going 7 years with and I wouldn't mind paying Zito money for. Assuming the market, Z might be a bargain in 2010.

[CheeseHead Cubs Fan]

There is a simple solution to all of this. Run Zambrano out there for about 300 IP this coming season and then sign him to a minimum salary deal while they sew his labrum back on. :D

 

Of course this is not a joking matter. But, looking at how this offseason went and the money that was spent, it's absolutely shocking they couldn't find a way to make sure they took care of their own first.

 

If Zambrano walks, this offseason might just go down as the worst offseason of Hendry's tenure. And he's had some real doozy's.

 

Perhaps a bit presumptuous? Not sure how you can point a finger at Hendry for something that has yet to happen.

 

Did you miss the words "if" and "might"?

 

I understand that they are small words, so maybe your brain just didn't register them.

 

comments deleted ... I'll keep them to myself!

 

Sorry, your post just made no sense. He said "if a happens, then b", then you chided him for being presumptuous, when he had already stated that he would hold that opinion until it actually happened.

 

Then it looks like I was being a bit presumptuous. Let's hope we never have to worry about Z walking and Hendry actually signs the man to a multi-year contract.

 

Nonetheless, Go Cubs!

[KingKongvs.Godzilla]

1. I don't think the Cubs are ballsy/foward thinking enough to trade Z if we suck.

 

2. I think signing Z to the kind of contract he will get is a larger risk than the average pitcher.

 

3. I do think he'll end up as a Cub which will make me very happy anyway.

[BigbadB]

There is a simple solution to all of this. Run Zambrano out there for about 300 IP this coming season and then sign him to a minimum salary deal while they sew his labrum back on. :D

 

Of course this is not a joking matter. But, looking at how this offseason went and the money that was spent, it's absolutely shocking they couldn't find a way to make sure they took care of their own first.

 

If Zambrano walks, this offseason might just go down as the worst offseason of Hendry's tenure. And he's had some real doozy's.

 

Perhaps a bit presumptuous? Not sure how you can point a finger at Hendry for something that has yet to happen.

 

Did you miss the words "if" and "might"?

 

I understand that they are small words, so maybe your brain just didn't register them.

 

comments deleted ... I'll keep them to myself!

 

Sorry, your post just made no sense. He said "if a happens, then b", then you chided him for being presumptuous, when he had already stated that he would hold that opinion until it actually happened.

 

Then it looks like I was being a bit presumptuous. Let's hope we never have to worry about Z walking and Hendry actually signs the man to a multi-year contract.

 

Nonetheless, Go Cubs!

 

That's what I'm hoping as well. I actually gave Hendry a fairly decent grade for this offseason. But, I think a mark would have to go against him if he ended up spending too much and he couldn't find a way to retain Zambrano.

 

In other words, Lilly and Marquis money making Zambrano unaffordable would be a very bad thing.

 

Rewinding things just a bit. Knowing how much money there was to spend this offseason, extending Zambrano should have been pretty high up on the priority list.

[CheeseHead Cubs Fan]

BigBadB -

 

Question,

 

Would you have rather signed Z to Soriano money and went with an outfield of Murton, JJones and someone like Dellucci?