Clock is Ticking...8 Days 'till Zambrano's Arby Hearing

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

According to Muskat's mailbag today, Link, Zambrano's arbitration hearing is set for February 20.

 

Muskat seems to think the Cubs will sign Z to a one-year deal before that time.

 

Is there the possibility the Cubs will have their first arbitration hearing since, well I can't remember the last time the team had one...

 

Also, would going to arbitration with Zambrano nearly insure that he walks at the end of the season?

[Sammy Sofa]

I've kinda shifted to the "sign him for one year and trade him during that year" camp. Love the Z, but I think age is gonna be his foe, big time, and he can net the juicest of juicy returns. Short of the team's pitching being a disaster, I'd move him.

[RichHillIsABeast]

I've kinda shifted to the "sign him for one year and trade him during that year" camp. Love the Z, but I think age is gonna be his foe, big time, and he can net the juicest of juicy returns. Short of the team's pitching being a disaster, I'd move him.

 

+1

[Derwood]

age is going to be his foe? He's only 25 years old!

[kujay]

Mmmm, Arby's.

[C.C.]

Mmmm, Arby's.

 

 

Me want French Dip.

[otis89]

age is going to be his foe? He's only 25 years old!

 

Yeah. If anything, Zambrano strikes me as the kind of guy who would stick around until he's 42!

[UMFan83]

Very dumb to trade him. With #4 starters getting like $10 million a year in the open market, why would we trade an ace with seemingly unlimited potential?

[imb]

I've kinda shifted to the "sign him for one year and trade him during that year" camp. Love the Z, but I think age is gonna be his foe, big time, and he can net the juicest of juicy returns. Short of the team's pitching being a disaster, I'd move him.

 

+1

 

-999,999,999

[C.C.]

Very dumb to trade him. With #4 starters getting like $10 million a year in the open market, why would we trade an ace with seemingly unlimited potential?

 

 

I agree...Until we can get someone to replace him, let's hang on and try to sign him.

[A New Era]

Very dumb to trade him. With #4 starters getting like $10 million a year in the open market, why would we trade an ace with seemingly unlimited potential?

 

 

I agree...Until we can get someone to replace him, let's hang on and try to sign him.

 

Let's give him a no trade clause so he can never be traded for his 7 year $18 mil a year contract .

[Sammy Sofa]

Very dumb to trade him. With #4 starters getting like $10 million a year in the open market, why would we trade an ace with seemingly unlimited potential?

 

Actually, given that his back problems stem from his weight, that makes his potential somewhat limited. As you get older, it's harder to keep off the weight. He shows up looking great and then packs on the blubber again each season. How soon before that starts being a serious problem?

[Sammy Sofa]

age is going to be his foe? He's only 25 years old!

 

Yeah. If anything, Zambrano strikes me as the kind of guy who would stick around until he's 42!

 

Just because he wants to doesn't necessarily mean he can. The back issues I talked about and his heavy usage this early in his career worry me greatly.

[Balsa]

How long do "big" pitchers usually last?

 

I would really never trade Zambrano unless we got a player the caliber and age of Miguel Cabrera.

Edited February 12, 2007 by Balsa

[oldstyle81]

How long do "big" pitchers usually last?

 

if hes anything like Roger Clemems? quite awhile

[Sammy Sofa]

How long do "big" pitchers usually last?

 

if hes anything like Roger Clemems? quite awhile

 

Again, the very tiny exception to the huge majority.

[Jehrico]

How long do "big" pitchers usually last?

 

if hes anything like Roger Clemems? quite awhile

 

Again, the very tiny exception to the huge majority.

As great as Z has been, and as young as he has been, if you compare him to Clemens when he was 25, he's not quite on the Clemens track. Clemens had two cy youngs, was coming off of his third 250+ inning, 140+ ERA+ year, and had two 20 win seasons already.

 

I would trade Z, but it'd be a heck of a package to convince me it'd improve the team. We'd have to shed some dead weight also as an added bonus.

[Derwood]

bedard has a career ERA+ of 110, Z's is 133

 

bedard is almost 28, Z is 25

 

bedard's career WHIP is 1.44, Z's is 1.28

 

so beside bedard being 80 lbs. lighter, why do I want him over Z again?

[A New Era]

bedard has a career ERA+ of 110, Z's is 133

 

bedard is almost 28, Z is 25

 

bedard's career WHIP is 1.44, Z's is 1.28

 

so beside bedard being 80 lbs. lighter, why do I want him over Z again?

 

Who's trading bedard straight up for Z?

 

EDIT. Who HAS us trading bedard straight up for Z?

[Derwood]

bedard has a career ERA+ of 110, Z's is 133

 

bedard is almost 28, Z is 25

 

bedard's career WHIP is 1.44, Z's is 1.28

 

so beside bedard being 80 lbs. lighter, why do I want him over Z again?

 

Who's trading bedard straight up for Z?

 

EDIT. Who HAS us trading bedard straight up for Z?

 

no one, but even if you're getting two for one, bedard is the player proposed to be replacing Z in the lineup.

[Outshined_One]

Give him the one year deal to avoid arby, then try hammering out a long term deal. I know there are plenty of concerns about Z's health, but if he gets away because the Cubs refused to sign him to a long term deal and he manages to stay healthy and productive, rest assured that PLENTY of people are going to be angry about it.

 

Let's hope Hendry decides against giving Cubs fans flashbacks to Greg Maddux's first go-round.

[Guest]

Think Anaheim if you're trading Z.

 

Weaver, Adenhart + Kendrick. Anything less and it's not worth it.

[cbbryan]

Think Anaheim if you're trading Z.

 

Weaver, Adenhart + Kendrick. Anything less and it's not worth it.

 

I agree 100% with you on this, Tim. I'm not against the Cubs trading anyone on this roster, but when it comes to Z there has to be a long-term deal, or a trade. If it's the trade it better blow your socks off.

[A New Era]

Think Anaheim if you're trading Z.

 

Weaver, Adenhart + Kendrick. Anything less and it's not worth it.

 

I agree 100% with you on this, Tim. I'm not against the Cubs trading anyone on this roster, but when it comes to Z there has to be a long-term deal, or a trade. If it's the trade it better blow your socks off.

 

Yeah, I pretty much agree with this also. It's got to be a STELLAR package. If we can get that, I'm for trading zambrano. Otherwise, sign him. But I hope to gosh he loves the cubs and can give us a considerable good deal at or around 15-16 mil per for about 5 years. .

[frostwyrm]

Shoulda traded Z and rebuilt in 2007, but that ship has sailed. Hendry has totally committed the Cubs to winning within a 2 year window and it's too late to turn back. Z will get whatever he wants.