A-Rod in 08?

[nilodnayr]

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.

 

Per Cots

# Rodriguez may void after 2007

# Rodriguez may void after 2008 or 2009 unless club increases 2009-10 salary by $5M/year or $1M more than highest-paid MLB position player

 

Interesting on that second one...

 

And the MLBPA wouldn't approve of him just giving up his opt-outs for nothing. And I don't think theres any way to get around the fact that he can opt to become a FA the offseason after a mid-contract trade. But of course he has a no trade clause so he'd have to approve coming here in the first place.

[Sammy Sofa]

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.

 

Z also has a history of a VERY heavy workload and back problems that get worse as he gets heavier. He shows up in great shape for spring training, but he's the first one to tell you that his lifestyle during the season leads to him packing the pounds back on and then the back issues. That's not a good thing with a guy who wants an expensive longterm deal, especially since it gets harder to stay slim as you get older.

 

I don't think signing Z is a disaster...I simply think getting a guy like A-Rod would ultimately pay off more and lead to more production for what the team would be investing.

[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.

 

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

 

Of course not. But how do you know that's what's he's asking?

[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.

 

Per Cots

# Rodriguez may void after 2007

# Rodriguez may void after 2008 or 2009 unless club increases 2009-10 salary by $5M/year or $1M more than highest-paid MLB position player

 

Interesting on that second one...

 

And the MLBPA wouldn't approve of him just giving up his opt-outs for nothing. And I don't think theres any way to get around the fact that he can opt to become a FA the offseason after a mid-contract trade. But of course he has a no trade clause so he'd have to approve coming here in the first place.

 

That's true-which means that frost's scenario probably wouldn't work. I can't see any way that A-Rod would approve a trade to a team that was in rebuilding mode.

[nilodnayr]

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.

 

Per Cots

# Rodriguez may void after 2007

# Rodriguez may void after 2008 or 2009 unless club increases 2009-10 salary by $5M/year or $1M more than highest-paid MLB position player

 

Interesting on that second one...

 

And the MLBPA wouldn't approve of him just giving up his opt-outs for nothing. And I don't think theres any way to get around the fact that he can opt to become a FA the offseason after a mid-contract trade. But of course he has a no trade clause so he'd have to approve coming here in the first place.

 

That's true-which means that frost's scenario probably wouldn't work. I can't see any way that A-Rod would approve a trade to a team that was in rebuilding mode.

 

Well, he did say it would be the FIRST thing he'd do...so maybe you could convince him to waive the no trade clause, but if things take a downturn the next season, he could leave.

[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.

 

Of course not. But how do you know that's what's he's asking?

 

There was an article, zam's agent came out and said zam wanted 18 mil for 6-7 years. Ofcourse that's how they work, ask high. But I'm just sayin. If it came to paying 17-18 mil a year for 6-7 years, would you do that? Or would you rather have a-rod. That's really the discussion of this thread.

[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.

 

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

 

Of course not. But how do you know that's what's he's asking?

 

There was an article, zam's agent came out and said zam wanted 18 mil for 6-7 years. Ofcourse that's how they work, ask high. But I'm just sayin. If it came to paying 17-18 mil a year for 6-7 years, would you do that? Or would you rather have a-rod. That's really the discussion of this thread.

 

It's not that simple, again, it depends were we are in the regular season. If we are making a playoff push and need Zambrano, then no, you role the dice and keep him. I don't think the discussion is that black and white? To answer your question if Z wants that kind of money and won't budge, and we don't have a need for Zambrano next season, then yes of course, by all means make the deal. Then of course you gotta hope that AROD won't opt. out of his contract.

[CuseCubFan69]

You only make the Z deal if ARod has his contract reworked so he remains a Cubs for the next 5-8 years. It is possible to give him a shot in 08 but if the Cubs resign Z at 16-18 there may not be enough money.

[RynoRules]

You only make the Z deal if ARod has his contract reworked so he remains a Cubs for the next 5-8 years. It is possible to give him a shot in 08 but if the Cubs resign Z at 16-18 there may not be enough money.

 

I think I would prefer ARods next 5 yrs to Z's, but that is just me. I think it is more likely that Z will break down and not be worth the money he is likely to command.

[Backtobanks]

I would consider it depending on a lot of ifs:

1. If Prior returns and pitches like a #1 starter.

2. If Hill continues his 2nd half dominance.

3. If Lilly shows he can be a good middle of the rotation starter.

4. If Marquis/Miller show they are capable of being a #4 starter.

5. If our young pitching (Guzman, Marshall, Gallagher, etc.) shows that they are ready to be in the majors.

6. If Izturis is as clueless with the bat as most of us think he is.

[CuseCubFan69]

You only make the Z deal if ARod has his contract reworked so he remains a Cubs for the next 5-8 years. It is possible to give him a shot in 08 but if the Cubs resign Z at 16-18 there may not be enough money.

 

I think I would prefer ARods next 5 yrs to Z's, but that is just me. I think it is more likely that Z will break down and not be worth the money he is likely to command.

 

I agree, especially if the other pitchers do well.

[Sammy Sofa]

You only make the Z deal if ARod has his contract reworked so he remains a Cubs for the next 5-8 years. It is possible to give him a shot in 08 but if the Cubs resign Z at 16-18 there may not be enough money.

 

I think I would prefer ARods next 5 yrs to Z's, but that is just me. I think it is more likely that Z will break down and not be worth the money he is likely to command.

 

I agree, especially if the other pitchers do well.

 

Same here. Nobody should be "untouchable" on this team right now.

[baseball7897]

You only make the Z deal if ARod has his contract reworked so he remains a Cubs for the next 5-8 years. It is possible to give him a shot in 08 but if the Cubs resign Z at 16-18 there may not be enough money.

 

I think I would prefer ARods next 5 yrs to Z's, but that is just me. I think it is more likely that Z will break down and not be worth the money he is likely to command.

 

I agree, especially if the other pitchers do well.

 

Same here. Nobody should be "untouchable" on this team right now.

 

Carlos Zambrano is an "untouchable" in my books. Just like how Johan Santana should be considered an "untouchable". You dont trade a staff ace.

[BigbadB]

Carlos Zambrano is an "untouchable" in my books. Just like how Johan Santana should be considered an "untouchable". You dont trade a staff ace.

 

I would agree with that statement if he wasn't going into the last year of his contract. If he can't be resigned to a long term contract, you risk losing him anyway, therefore he isn't "untouchable".

[goonys evil twin]

I think the "you don't trade an ace" talk is just conventional wisdom from a different time. The fact is aces switch teams. Very rare is the ace pitcher who comes up with one team and stays there forever. I'd much rather trade a guy than let him walk.

 

And one ace doesn't make a team. If you can make a trade that makes the team better you'd be failing your team by refusing to trade your ace because there's an old mantra about never doing it.

[A New Era]

Carlos Zambrano is an "untouchable" in my books. Just like how Johan Santana should be considered an "untouchable". You dont trade a staff ace.

 

I would agree with that statement if he wasn't going into the last year of his contract. If he can't be resigned to a long term contract, you risk losing him anyway, therefore he isn't "untouchable".

 

I would love to keep Zambrano if he truely loves the Cubs, he will give a hometown discount.

 

But he can not be considered anywhere near "santana" status right now. . 2004 could be called his only true "stellar" ace-like year. . It's been downhill since then. . In 2004 we had about 3-4 pitchers all just slightly above 3.5 ERA. And it could be that way again with all the pitching depth and young talent close to the ML.

 

Zambrano

------------

2003 - 3.11 ERA

2004 - 2.75 ERA

2005 - 3.25 ERA

2006 - 3.41 ERA

 

Yeah, I'd give Santana that money, he's had 3 years in a row with an ERA below 3.0. But not Zambrano.

[rchap24]

Though I would love to have a-rod I think the chances are slim to none. I can see him going to somewhere like the Dogers before he would come to play for us. Its a money thing which I think Hendry is still to catious about.

[Rob]

You only make the Z deal if ARod has his contract reworked so he remains a Cubs for the next 5-8 years. It is possible to give him a shot in 08 but if the Cubs resign Z at 16-18 there may not be enough money.

 

I think I would prefer ARods next 5 yrs to Z's, but that is just me. I think it is more likely that Z will break down and not be worth the money he is likely to command.

 

I agree, especially if the other pitchers do well.

 

Same here. Nobody should be "untouchable" on this team right now.

 

Carlos Zambrano is an "untouchable" in my books. Just like how Johan Santana should be considered an "untouchable". You dont trade a staff ace.

 

So if you were Terry Ryan, and got offered Travis Hafner, Grady Sizemore, Jhonny Peralta, and Adam Miller for Santana, you wouldn't do it?

 

Declaring anybody untouchable is just bad business. If you can get more value in a trade, you make the trade. It's that simple. To say you wont make the trade because a player is "untouchable" for some archaic reason is asinine.

[rchap24]

You only make the Z deal if ARod has his contract reworked so he remains a Cubs for the next 5-8 years. It is possible to give him a shot in 08 but if the Cubs resign Z at 16-18 there may not be enough money.

 

I think I would prefer ARods next 5 yrs to Z's, but that is just me. I think it is more likely that Z will break down and not be worth the money he is likely to command.

 

I agree, especially if the other pitchers do well.

 

Same here. Nobody should be "untouchable" on this team right now.

 

Carlos Zambrano is an "untouchable" in my books. Just like how Johan Santana should be considered an "untouchable". You dont trade a staff ace.

 

So if you were Terry Ryan, and got offered Travis Hafner, Grady Sizemore, Jhonny Peralta, and Adam Miller for Santana, you wouldn't do it?

 

Declaring anybody untouchable is just bad business. If you can get more value in a trade, you make the trade. It's that simple. To say you wont make the trade because a player is "untouchable" for some archaic reason is asinine.

 

Rob is completely right. I do agree that neither Santana or Zambrano are untouchable. But, come on if you got some insane deal like with what rob mentioned you couldnt pass it up. With the team you already have a the addition of those players you would have trade bait to pick up another pretty decent starter (not Santana good, but good)!

[Amazing_Grace]

I think a more likely scenario is A-Rod not opting out of the contract then asking to be traded somewhere. I'm frankly surprised that ARod didn't ask for a trade this offseason. We can only guess that he feels he has something to prove in NY or he thinks NY is his best chance to win a WS before he retires, even if that means enduring constant abuse from fans and media.

 

I think ARod is probably going into the decline stage of his career and will continue to decline. Of course, a declining ARod is still one of the best players in baseball and if his decline continues slowly, he still will be for several seasons. Nevertheless unless he's moving back to SS, I wouldn't give up much to get him. We already have Ramirez, who is in the prime of his career, at 3B for 5 years on a very favorable contract and it wouldn't make much sense at all to trade Ramirez to get ARod, unless it somehow meant getting someone like Miguel Tejada to play short.

 

Let's say ARod opts out. With who we've signed this year and the dollars committed, we'll face a choice this coming offseason of resigning Z or signing some other big name FA, such as ARod, and that's a best case scenario. Ultimately, I think the Cubs will resign Zambrano and other moves next offseason will depend upon being able to unload Marquis and maybe another reliever.