A-Rod in 08?

[Banedon]

Some of you will hate this post because you don't like speculation about big names like A-Rod or Adam Dunn over and over again. Sorry.

 

ESPN.com has an article about A-rod having an escape clausethat he can utilize after the 07 season, and how there's speculation that he will use it to get out from under the New York spotlight. Obviously the Cubs spent huge this summer, and not being a payroll whiz I don't know if the numbers would work out. I believe Izturis is in the last year of his deal (assuming the Cubs won't pick up the option), so SS will be available.

 

Just thought I'd throw this out there for discussion.

[Bull]

no way he opts out of that contract.

[BleedCubbieBlue81]

While it's a nice thought (just think of a lineup that features ARod, Lee, Soriano, Ramirez, etc.), I have a feeling ARod is going to have a good year in New York. And if that's the case, I wouldn't be surprised to see him stay there. Just my gut feeling though, and those are usually wrong.

[CuseCubFan69]

He may force the Yanks to make a move if this fan hate continues. I'd like to see the Cubs take a shot at him but only if he is playing SS.

[Knightlife_in_Lubbock]

He may force the Yanks to make a move if this fan hate continues. I'd like to see the Cubs take a shot at him but only if he is playing SS.

 

And is willing to stay until the end of every game.

[Pushfrog98]

assuming you can only get A-rod via trade... who would you be willing to trade to get him?

[CuseCubFan69]

If Z isn't going to resign I'd move him in a multi player trade to the Yanks. It depends on how desperate the Yanks are to move him on what I'd offer.

[Electron Blue]

If Z isn't going to resign I'd move him in a multi player trade to the Yanks. It depends on how desperate the Yanks are to move him on what I'd offer.

 

Good idea. No one wants to consider Z leaving yet, but if we think he will, this might work. Maybe I'm overvaluing Carlos, but I'd guess it wouldn't take much more than him to land A-rod. But like I said, I'd rather not think about losing Zambrano.

[CuseCubFan69]

If Z isn't going to resign I'd move him in a multi player trade to the Yanks. It depends on how desperate the Yanks are to move him on what I'd offer.

 

Good idea. No one wants to consider Z leaving yet, but if we think he will, this might work. Maybe I'm overvaluing Carlos, but I'd guess it wouldn't take much more than him to land A-rod. But like I said, I'd rather not think about losing Zambrano.

 

I think Z's a wonderful pitcher but IMO he is not going to take a home team discount and I don't blame him if he doesn't. I think he does like Chicago but if I remember correctly he said he won't negotiate during the season so Mr. Hendry has his work cut out.

 

If these young guys do step up or Prior/Miller/Marquise are really throwing well this could give Hendry some very good options if he needs a SS or another position to be filled due to injury.

[Pushfrog98]

I was talking a few weeks ago with a guy I work with about a Zambrano for A-Rod trade. (we live near st. louis and all our co-workers are die-hard C*rd*n*ls fans, so we seek refuge in each other, lol). We decided that we'd make that trade without even batting an eye. Sure, you give up a #1 starter, but you get A-Rod who is arguably the best player in the game and will be a lock for the Hall of Fame.

 

The trade would have to be dependent on A-Rod giving up his option to opt out after this year.

[CubinNY]

Why wait.

 

Felix Pie and Mark Prior straight up at the end of Spring Training.

 

Put A-Rod at SS and Cesear at 2nd.

[CubColtPacer]

Why wait.

 

Felix Pie and Mark Prior straight up at the end of Spring Training.

 

Put A-Rod at SS and Cesear at 2nd.

 

If you're going to leave Izturis in the lineup, you might as well shift A-Rod to second and leave Izturis at his best defensive value at short-I would think trading for A-Rod would be to get Izturis out of the lineup.

[goonys evil twin]

Why wait.

 

Felix Pie and Mark Prior straight up at the end of Spring Training.

 

Put A-Rod at SS and Cesear at 2nd.

 

If you're going to leave Izturis in the lineup, you might as well shift A-Rod to second and leave Izturis at his best defensive value at short-I would think trading for A-Rod would be to get Izturis out of the lineup.

 

Yeah, one of the not so small benefits of ARod would be the complete removal of Izturis from the lineup.

[baseball7897]

If Z isn't going to resign I'd move him in a multi player trade to the Yanks. It depends on how desperate the Yanks are to move him on what I'd offer.

 

Not sure I agree with that. So you would trade Zambrano in the middle of the season if he is not going to re-sign with the Cubs? What if the Cubs are in the playoff race, then would you still trade him? So your options would be to either trade Zambrano now, which would make no sense, or you trade him in the middle of the season when the Cubs are in the playoff chase. Im keeping Zambrano.

[Banedon]

If Z isn't going to resign I'd move him in a multi player trade to the Yanks. It depends on how desperate the Yanks are to move him on what I'd offer.

 

Not sure I agree with that. So you would trade Zambrano in the middle of the season if he is not going to re-sign with the Cubs? What if the Cubs are in the playoff race, then would you still trade him? So your options would be to either trade Zambrano now, which would make no sense, or you trade him in the middle of the season when the Cubs are in the playoff chase. Im keeping Zambrano.

 

That probably depends a whole lot on what Prior, Miller, and Wood are doing healthwise and performance-wise.

[frostwyrm]

Offering Z for ARod would have been the first thing I did after deciding to use 2007 for rebuilding.

[C.C.]

If Z isn't going to resign I'd move him in a multi player trade to the Yanks. It depends on how desperate the Yanks are to move him on what I'd offer.

 

Not sure I agree with that. So you would trade Zambrano in the middle of the season if he is not going to re-sign with the Cubs? What if the Cubs are in the playoff race, then would you still trade him? So your options would be to either trade Zambrano now, which would make no sense, or you trade him in the middle of the season when the Cubs are in the playoff chase. Im keeping Zambrano.

 

That probably depends a whole lot on what Prior, Miller, and Wood are doing healthwise and performance-wise.

 

I don't care how good they are doing. If we are in the hunt for the playoffs don't tempt fate by trading Zambrano then have one of those guys go down right after the transaction is made.

[CubColtPacer]

Offering Z for ARod would have been the first thing I did after deciding to use 2007 for rebuilding.

 

If he gets traded, does he still have the option to opt-out? If you trade for A-Rod, and then use 2007 to rebuild, he'll just opt out rather than stay with a losing team-and then you lose Z for nothing.

[Sammy Sofa]

If Z isn't going to resign I'd move him in a multi player trade to the Yanks. It depends on how desperate the Yanks are to move him on what I'd offer.

 

Not sure I agree with that. So you would trade Zambrano in the middle of the season if he is not going to re-sign with the Cubs? What if the Cubs are in the playoff race, then would you still trade him? So your options would be to either trade Zambrano now, which would make no sense, or you trade him in the middle of the season when the Cubs are in the playoff chase. Im keeping Zambrano.

 

That probably depends a whole lot on what Prior, Miller, and Wood are doing healthwise and performance-wise.

 

That statement is ignoring a lot of factors. If Prior is back to looking anything like Prior and Hill is pitching like 2nd half Hill, it's do-able. Add on Lilly possibly succeeding, Guzman finally clicking amd Miller maybe healthy and it's beyond do-able. A trade like that gets you an everyday player who has many more chances to win you games than Z coming out every 5 days. Again, it obviosuly hinges on how many pitchers are doing well enough, but I'm definitely in the camp of trading Z for a guy like A-Rod.

 

I don't care how good they are doing. If we are in the hunt for the playoffs don't tempt fate by trading Zambrano then have one of those guys go down right after the transaction is made.

[Sammy Sofa]

If Z isn't going to resign I'd move him in a multi player trade to the Yanks. It depends on how desperate the Yanks are to move him on what I'd offer.

 

Not sure I agree with that. So you would trade Zambrano in the middle of the season if he is not going to re-sign with the Cubs? What if the Cubs are in the playoff race, then would you still trade him? So your options would be to either trade Zambrano now, which would make no sense, or you trade him in the middle of the season when the Cubs are in the playoff chase. Im keeping Zambrano.

 

That probably depends a whole lot on what Prior, Miller, and Wood are doing healthwise and performance-wise.

 

I don't care how good they are doing. If we are in the hunt for the playoffs don't tempt fate by trading Zambrano then have one of those guys go down right after the transaction is made.

 

Not even if you're trading for a guy like A-Rod, who can potentially win you games every day, as opposed to Z, who is only out there every 5 days? You can't just not care how the others are doing...If Prior is looking Prior and Hill is keeping up his improvements, ou can definitely think about trading Z. Add on Miller getting healthy, Lilly succeeding or Guzman finally clicking and it becomes even more do-able. A lot of "if's," but as the season goes along, if enough of those "if's" become reality, I'd pull the trigger.

[C.C.]

If Z isn't going to resign I'd move him in a multi player trade to the Yanks. It depends on how desperate the Yanks are to move him on what I'd offer.

 

Not sure I agree with that. So you would trade Zambrano in the middle of the season if he is not going to re-sign with the Cubs? What if the Cubs are in the playoff race, then would you still trade him? So your options would be to either trade Zambrano now, which would make no sense, or you trade him in the middle of the season when the Cubs are in the playoff chase. Im keeping Zambrano.

 

That probably depends a whole lot on what Prior, Miller, and Wood are doing healthwise and performance-wise.

 

I don't care how good they are doing. If we are in the hunt for the playoffs don't tempt fate by trading Zambrano then have one of those guys go down right after the transaction is made.

 

Not even if you're trading for a guy like A-Rod, who can potentially win you games every day, as opposed to Z, who is only out there every 5 days? You can't just not care how the others are doing...If Prior is looking Prior and Hill is keeping up his improvements, ou can definitely think about trading Z. Add on Miller getting healthy, Lilly succeeding or Guzman finally clicking and it becomes even more do-able. A lot of "if's," but as the season goes along, if enough of those "if's" become reality, I'd pull the trigger.

 

It all depends. If Z is having a Cy Young type of year, you are going to need him for the stretch drive and the playoffs. I really doubt that between Prior, Hill and whomever else will give us enough pitching to get rid of Z. I just don't see it happening.

[Sammy Sofa]

If Z isn't going to resign I'd move him in a multi player trade to the Yanks. It depends on how desperate the Yanks are to move him on what I'd offer.

 

Not sure I agree with that. So you would trade Zambrano in the middle of the season if he is not going to re-sign with the Cubs? What if the Cubs are in the playoff race, then would you still trade him? So your options would be to either trade Zambrano now, which would make no sense, or you trade him in the middle of the season when the Cubs are in the playoff chase. Im keeping Zambrano.

 

That probably depends a whole lot on what Prior, Miller, and Wood are doing healthwise and performance-wise.

 

I don't care how good they are doing. If we are in the hunt for the playoffs don't tempt fate by trading Zambrano then have one of those guys go down right after the transaction is made.

 

Not even if you're trading for a guy like A-Rod, who can potentially win you games every day, as opposed to Z, who is only out there every 5 days? You can't just not care how the others are doing...If Prior is looking Prior and Hill is keeping up his improvements, ou can definitely think about trading Z. Add on Miller getting healthy, Lilly succeeding or Guzman finally clicking and it becomes even more do-able. A lot of "if's," but as the season goes along, if enough of those "if's" become reality, I'd pull the trigger.

 

It all depends. If Z is having a Cy Young type of year, you are going to need him for the stretch drive and the playoffs. I really doubt that between Prior, Hill and whomever else will give us enough pitching to get rid of Z. I just don't see it happening.

 

Anything's possible. And there's no guarentee Z isn't going to just meltdown in the playoffs under the pressure. I know A-Rod gets bagged with the "he chokes when it counts" tag, but Z could potentially be even worse given how emotional he is out there.

 

But ultimately, if the other pitchers aren't stepping up, he's gotta be held onto. If they are, hey, anything is possible. I'll need to see it to believe it, but Prior being Prior definitely makes some choices very interesting. Almost any pitcher who isn't flat-out garbage can step up suddenly in the playoffs...see the Cardinals. If we have Hill truly having turned the corner and Prior getting back to being himself, that does have to make Z possibly expendable (though I'd personally trade Prior instead, but I could easily live with either) short of all the other pitchers just completely tanking.

[A New Era]

I'd do it, but only if what Mojo says is true. And only because it is very uncomfortable giving that much money for that long of a time to a pitcher. Look what happened to us and Wood. Not saying it's gonna happen to Zambrano. But he has been overworked and has had some sparadic back problems. . IF Prior is Prior, Miller turns out ok, and Hill us an uprising star, then yes I would rather be giving that kind of money to Arod than Zambrano, even though I love the guy. We've got Smardzija and some young guys who will deffinatly be contributing to the big league club in a couple of years.

 

It all boils down to me feeling it's less of a risk to pay Arod that money than Zambrano. .

[C.C.]

I'd do it, but only if what Mojo says is true. And only because it is very uncomfortable giving that much money for that long of a time to a pitcher. Look what happened to us and Wood.

 

Not a fair comparison. Z has a history of being healthy, Wood didn't.

[A New Era]

I'd do it, but only if what Mojo says is true. And only because it is very uncomfortable giving that much money for that long of a time to a pitcher. Look what happened to us and Wood.

 

Not a fair comparison. Z has a history of being healthy, Wood didn't.

 

So you feel comfortable giving Z 7 years, 18 mil a year.