Big Z will leave

[Banedon]

I haven't seen a single trade idea that's not contained either a uber-awesome pitching prospect or a good ML player.

 

ANA-Weaver, Kendrick, Adenhart seems to be the preferred package

NYY-Hughes, Sanchez and Tabata or ARod.

 

Weaver is an excellent P prospect with ML experience. Hughes is the #1 P prospect in baseball. Kendrick is a top prospect.

 

It's not like people are tossing out AA names.

 

Zambrano in a deal for ARod would be a no-brainer to me. Zambrano helps every 5th game. ARod helps every day.

 

But overall I'd prefer to keep Big Z. That's what Banedon thinks.

[RynoRules]

Following on some of the points made above, I think earlier on I advocated sending Z, Eyre and Izturis to NY for ARod and a prospect. That sounds like a pretty good deal to me.

 

And BTW, Big Slick, you simply cannot compare Wood's deal 3 yrs ago to Z's current demands. Put simply, "square peg meets round hole."

[USSoccer]

I haven't seen a single trade idea that's not contained either a uber-awesome pitching prospect or a good ML player.

 

ANA-Weaver, Kendrick, Adenhart seems to be the preferred package

NYY-Hughes, Sanchez and Tabata or ARod.

 

Weaver is an excellent P prospect with ML experience. Hughes is the #1 P prospect in baseball. Kendrick is a top prospect.

 

It's not like people are tossing out AA names.

 

Zambrano in a deal for ARod would be a no-brainer to me. Zambrano helps every 5th game. ARod helps every day.

 

But overall I'd prefer to keep Big Z. That's what Banedon thinks.

 

3rd person, eh?

[radarluv1]

Not to mention the fact he could get another long contract after his 6 year contract is up.

 

yeah, thats just wishful thinking from radarluv. its contagious!

[Banedon]

I haven't seen a single trade idea that's not contained either a uber-awesome pitching prospect or a good ML player.

 

ANA-Weaver, Kendrick, Adenhart seems to be the preferred package

NYY-Hughes, Sanchez and Tabata or ARod.

 

Weaver is an excellent P prospect with ML experience. Hughes is the #1 P prospect in baseball. Kendrick is a top prospect.

 

It's not like people are tossing out AA names.

 

Zambrano in a deal for ARod would be a no-brainer to me. Zambrano helps every 5th game. ARod helps every day.

 

But overall I'd prefer to keep Big Z. That's what Banedon thinks.

 

3rd person, eh?

 

Banedon doesn't like your tone... :wink:

[A New Era]

I haven't seen a single trade idea that's not contained either a uber-awesome pitching prospect or a good ML player.

 

ANA-Weaver, Kendrick, Adenhart seems to be the preferred package

NYY-Hughes, Sanchez and Tabata or ARod.

 

Weaver is an excellent P prospect with ML experience. Hughes is the #1 P prospect in baseball. Kendrick is a top prospect.

 

It's not like people are tossing out AA names.

 

Zambrano in a deal for ARod would be a no-brainer to me. Zambrano helps every 5th game. ARod helps every day.

 

But overall I'd prefer to keep Big Z. That's what Banedon thinks.

 

Think the Yanks would do zamb for arod mid season? They NEED picthing. They've already got the offense. So I'm wondering if that's something they'd do.

[soccer10k]

This is so bizarre. For 8 friggin' injury filled years, you guys have latched onto Kerry Wood's jock. After, like, basically one game.

 

And now Zambrano wants some money, and *poof* you guys want him traded immediately. Unbelievable.

 

Way to take well thgouht out and nuanced opinions and reduce them to their lowest common denominator.

 

its what i do.

 

Seriously though it does seem strange how fast you guys are abandoning Zambrano.

 

It doesn't seem like that to you?

 

No it doesn't.

 

It seems like people are looking at his situation and realizing that giving a pitcher $20m per over a long term when that pitcher has giant red injury flags everywhere might be a bad idea, so they are open to the idea that trading him could bring in a terrific haul of players.

 

Replace "players" with "prospects" and you are right.

 

How long can we delay being even, you know, decent?

 

I haven't seen a single trade idea that's not contained either a uber-awesome pitching prospect or a good ML player.

 

ANA-Weaver, Kendrick, Adenhart seems to be the preferred package

NYY-Hughes, Sanchez and Tabata or ARod.

 

Weaver is an excellent P prospect with ML experience. Hughes is the #1 P prospect in baseball. Kendrick is a top prospect.

 

It's not like people are tossing out AA names.

 

Or arthritic crap like Cesar Izturis.

[CubinNY]

I haven't seen a single trade idea that's not contained either a uber-awesome pitching prospect or a good ML player.

 

ANA-Weaver, Kendrick, Adenhart seems to be the preferred package

NYY-Hughes, Sanchez and Tabata or ARod.

 

Weaver is an excellent P prospect with ML experience. Hughes is the #1 P prospect in baseball. Kendrick is a top prospect.

 

It's not like people are tossing out AA names.

 

Zambrano in a deal for ARod would be a no-brainer to me. Zambrano helps every 5th game. ARod helps every day.

 

But overall I'd prefer to keep Big Z. That's what Banedon thinks.

 

CubinNY agrees. He also thinks the Cubs will resign Big Z or feel the heat of endless Maddux comparisons.

 

Hendry almost always gets his man.

[Soul]

Here's the wanting to be paid like Zito quote:

 

”You take less than Zito take and everybody talks about you, saying, ‘Zambrano sign a bad contract,”’ Zambrano said. ”You take more and everybody says, ‘Zambrano is taking advantage.’ I think the thing is to be around what Zito signed for, more or the same.”

 

http://baseballcritic.wordpress.com/2007/01/22/zambrano-on-the-zito-trail/

 

I never saw that quote before. Is there a better source than a blog?

 

Sure-here you go.

 

http://www.suntimes.com/sports/baseball/cubs/220720,CST-SPT-csep20.article

 

Thanks. I'm going to take the optimistic stance on this one, and believe that Z would very much LIKE Zito money, but isn't opposed to negotiation. I hope I'm right.

 

After all, I would very much like Zito money too. But I think my employer can ultimately secure my services for a great deal less 8-)

[frostwyrm]

Z is not going to take less than Zito. He's been very clear about that. His threat to leave the Cubs is a somewhat tactless but perfectly effective way to underscore the seriousness of his demands. My strong feeling is that Z regards this as the payday of his life, and anything else he earns in his lifetime will be gravy. That's how I'd play it if I were in his place. I don't see any credible incentive for him to take a short deal and walk away from a $120+ milion payday just in hopes of getting a bit more in a few years. Z isn't dumb enough to take that risk.

[BigSlick]

Following on some of the points made above, I think earlier on I advocated sending Z, Eyre and Izturis to NY for ARod and a prospect. That sounds like a pretty good deal to me.

 

And BTW, Big Slick, you simply cannot compare Wood's deal 3 yrs ago to Z's current demands. Put simply, "square peg meets round hole."

 

I wasn't comparing the deals, I was comparing the attitudes people have of Wood and Zambrano.

 

Also, I'm not entirely opposed to giving Zambrano Zito money, the man deserves it. He's what, 26? Jesus guys.

[BigbadB]

Following on some of the points made above, I think earlier on I advocated sending Z, Eyre and Izturis to NY for ARod and a prospect. That sounds like a pretty good deal to me.

 

And BTW, Big Slick, you simply cannot compare Wood's deal 3 yrs ago to Z's current demands. Put simply, "square peg meets round hole."

 

I wasn't comparing the deals, I was comparing the attitudes people have of Wood and Zambrano.

 

Also, I'm not entirely opposed to giving Zambrano Zito money, the man deserves it. He's what, 26? Jesus guys.

 

I'd give it to him too. The question is, does Hendry have it to give to Zambrano? After giving the big money out to all these other guys, I'm not so sure he has the money to offer Z.

 

He had an opportunity to lock up Zambrano before he paid out money to Lilly, Floyd and Marquis. He didn't do it. Now he risks losing him to someone WHO WILL give Zambrano Zito money next year, maybe more.

 

If that happens, should Hendry lose his job? Absolutely.

 

My desire to trade Zambrano now is only to attempt to get more than a couple of draft picks when Zambrano leaves. I believe Zambrano won't be back if he isn't signed before this season starts. No way will the Cubs be able to outbid the Yankees.

[Amazing_Grace]

Following on some of the points made above, I think earlier on I advocated sending Z, Eyre and Izturis to NY for ARod and a prospect. That sounds like a pretty good deal to me.

 

And BTW, Big Slick, you simply cannot compare Wood's deal 3 yrs ago to Z's current demands. Put simply, "square peg meets round hole."

 

I wasn't comparing the deals, I was comparing the attitudes people have of Wood and Zambrano.

 

Also, I'm not entirely opposed to giving Zambrano Zito money, the man deserves it. He's what, 26? Jesus guys.

 

I'd give it to him too. The question is, does Hendry have it to give to Zambrano? After giving the big money out to all these other guys, I'm not so sure he has the money to offer Z.

 

He had an opportunity to lock up Zambrano before he paid out money to Lilly, Floyd and Marquis. He didn't do it. Now he risks losing him to someone WHO WILL give Zambrano Zito money next year, maybe more.

 

If that happens, should Hendry lose his job? Absolutely.

 

My desire to trade Zambrano now is only to attempt to get more than a couple of draft picks when Zambrano leaves. I believe Zambrano won't be back if he isn't signed before this season starts. No way will the Cubs be able to outbid the Yankees.

 

I agree with this. To sign Lilly and Marquis without knowing for a fact that you still had money for Zambrano is unforgivable in and of itself. This blunder alone would cost any MLB GM his job, and Hendry is a guy that should, IMHO, have been fired earlier. If this goes down the way I fear it will, with Z walking for draft choices and no Cub WS in 2007, Hendry will, and should, go down as one of the worst GMs in Cubs history.

[Soul]

Z is not going to take less than Zito. He's been very clear about that. His threat to leave the Cubs is a somewhat tactless but perfectly effective way to underscore the seriousness of his demands. My strong feeling is that Z regards this as the payday of his life, and anything else he earns in his lifetime will be gravy. That's how I'd play it if I were in his place. I don't see any credible incentive for him to take a short deal and walk away from a $120+ milion payday just in hopes of getting a bit more in a few years. Z isn't dumb enough to take that risk.

 

The one thing he has to consider is injury. If he doesn't sign before the year starts, and he blows out his arm during the season, that's a ton of money blowing out the window.

 

Isn't that what every player in Z's position has to think about? They might sign with their current club for many reasons, but the biggest one is because they can get a little less guaranteed right now-----if they play Russian Roulette with their arm and come up lame, that's something that haunts them for the rest of their life.

[BigbadB]

Isn't that what every player in Z's position has to think about? They might sign with their current club for many reasons, but the biggest one is because they can get a little less guaranteed right now-----if they play Russian Roulette with their arm and come up lame, that's something that haunts them for the rest of their life.

 

You know Nomar was kicking himself for not taking that big deal with Boston. He lost a lot of money by not signing that deal.

[Amazing_Grace]

Z is not going to take less than Zito. He's been very clear about that. His threat to leave the Cubs is a somewhat tactless but perfectly effective way to underscore the seriousness of his demands. My strong feeling is that Z regards this as the payday of his life, and anything else he earns in his lifetime will be gravy. That's how I'd play it if I were in his place. I don't see any credible incentive for him to take a short deal and walk away from a $120+ milion payday just in hopes of getting a bit more in a few years. Z isn't dumb enough to take that risk.

 

The one thing he has to consider is injury. If he doesn't sign before the year starts, and he blows out his arm during the season, that's a ton of money blowing out the window.

 

Isn't that what every player in Z's position has to think about? They might sign with their current club for many reasons, but the biggest one is because they can get a little less guaranteed right now-----if they play Russian Roulette with their arm and come up lame, that's something that haunts them for the rest of their life.

 

Maybe it's the referring to himself in the third person that does it, but something tells me Zambrano is the type that thinks he's invincible and nothing bad will ever happen to him. I'm not sure if "what if I get injured" has entered into his mind, though as you say, it should have, especially given what he's seen happen to Prior and Wood.

[Andy]

Following on some of the points made above, I think earlier on I advocated sending Z, Eyre and Izturis to NY for ARod and a prospect. That sounds like a pretty good deal to me.

 

And BTW, Big Slick, you simply cannot compare Wood's deal 3 yrs ago to Z's current demands. Put simply, "square peg meets round hole."

 

I wasn't comparing the deals, I was comparing the attitudes people have of Wood and Zambrano.

 

Also, I'm not entirely opposed to giving Zambrano Zito money, the man deserves it. He's what, 26? Jesus guys.

 

I'd give it to him too. The question is, does Hendry have it to give to Zambrano? After giving the big money out to all these other guys, I'm not so sure he has the money to offer Z.

 

He had an opportunity to lock up Zambrano before he paid out money to Lilly, Floyd and Marquis. He didn't do it. Now he risks losing him to someone WHO WILL give Zambrano Zito money next year, maybe more.

 

If that happens, should Hendry lose his job? Absolutely.

 

My desire to trade Zambrano now is only to attempt to get more than a couple of draft picks when Zambrano leaves. I believe Zambrano won't be back if he isn't signed before this season starts. No way will the Cubs be able to outbid the Yankees.

 

I agree with this. To sign Lilly and Marquis without knowing for a fact that you still had money for Zambrano is unforgivable in and of itself. This blunder alone would cost any MLB GM his job, and Hendry is a guy that should, IMHO, have been fired earlier. If this goes down the way I fear it will, with Z walking for draft choices and no Cub WS in 2007, Hendry will, and should, go down as one of the worst GMs in Cubs history.

Being one of the worst GMs in Cubs history is akin to being one of the whitest players to play basketball at Duke. Every new crop wants to top the actions of their predecessor.

[bc2k]

This whole situation is mind boggling. There's not enough information available to forecast the best way to handle this, and since it's a high-risk situation, this move could greatly help or hinder the team.

 

I don't know what's the best move for the Cubs, but Hendry better.

[frostwyrm]

Z is not going to take less than Zito. He's been very clear about that. His threat to leave the Cubs is a somewhat tactless but perfectly effective way to underscore the seriousness of his demands. My strong feeling is that Z regards this as the payday of his life, and anything else he earns in his lifetime will be gravy. That's how I'd play it if I were in his place. I don't see any credible incentive for him to take a short deal and walk away from a $120+ milion payday just in hopes of getting a bit more in a few years. Z isn't dumb enough to take that risk.

 

The one thing he has to consider is injury. If he doesn't sign before the year starts, and he blows out his arm during the season, that's a ton of money blowing out the window.

 

Isn't that what every player in Z's position has to think about? They might sign with their current club for many reasons, but the biggest one is because they can get a little less guaranteed right now-----if they play Russian Roulette with their arm and come up lame, that's something that haunts them for the rest of their life.

 

I don't think Z has anything to worry about because Hendry is in a horrible position. He either re-signs Z or loses his job. I foresee another heavily backloaded deal.

[BigSlick]

Following on some of the points made above, I think earlier on I advocated sending Z, Eyre and Izturis to NY for ARod and a prospect. That sounds like a pretty good deal to me.

 

And BTW, Big Slick, you simply cannot compare Wood's deal 3 yrs ago to Z's current demands. Put simply, "square peg meets round hole."

 

I wasn't comparing the deals, I was comparing the attitudes people have of Wood and Zambrano.

 

Also, I'm not entirely opposed to giving Zambrano Zito money, the man deserves it. He's what, 26? Jesus guys.

 

I'd give it to him too. The question is, does Hendry have it to give to Zambrano? After giving the big money out to all these other guys, I'm not so sure he has the money to offer Z.

 

He had an opportunity to lock up Zambrano before he paid out money to Lilly, Floyd and Marquis. He didn't do it. Now he risks losing him to someone WHO WILL give Zambrano Zito money next year, maybe more.

 

If that happens, should Hendry lose his job? Absolutely.

 

My desire to trade Zambrano now is only to attempt to get more than a couple of draft picks when Zambrano leaves. I believe Zambrano won't be back if he isn't signed before this season starts. No way will the Cubs be able to outbid the Yankees.

 

I agree with this. To sign Lilly and Marquis without knowing for a fact that you still had money for Zambrano is unforgivable in and of itself. This blunder alone would cost any MLB GM his job, and Hendry is a guy that should, IMHO, have been fired earlier. If this goes down the way I fear it will, with Z walking for draft choices and no Cub WS in 2007, Hendry will, and should, go down as one of the worst GMs in Cubs history.

Being one of the worst GMs in Cubs history is akin to being one of the whitest players to play basketball at Duke. Every new crop wants to top the actions of their predecessor.

 

I love you.

 

Also, you guys are talking about there being a lack of money to sign Zambrano after all these moves...couldn't Hendry ask for a little bit more money (probably more than a little) than the payroll to keep a fan favorite and franchise player? I honestly don't know how it works, but I remember in Moneyball, Billy Beane called up his owner for some extra cash to sign someone.

[BigbadB]

Also, you guys are talking about there being a lack of money to sign Zambrano after all these moves...couldn't Hendry ask for a little bit more money (probably more than a little) than the payroll to keep a fan favorite and franchise player? I honestly don't know how it works, but I remember in Moneyball, Billy Beane called up his owner for some extra cash to sign someone.

 

A little bit more? Haha.

 

Hendry has spent over 300m this offseason already. Signing Z to his demands will push it over 400m.

 

As far as a little bit more money than the payroll, the Cubs are WAY over the amount that was allotted for payroll last year.

 

Kind of makes the Jason Marquis deal seem a bit foolish now, eh? And the Cliff Floyd incentive laden deal? Yikes.

[CubColtPacer]

Have I missed something? I haven't seen anything that would even suggest that they don't want to sign Z over concern over the budget in the next couple years (2007, 2008, 2009)-so where is this all coming from about Hendry not knowing if there's money left for Z?

[SouthSideRyan]

Have I missed something? I haven't seen anything that would even suggest that they don't want to sign Z over concern over the budget in the next couple years (2007, 2008, 2009)-so where is this all coming from about Hendry not knowing if there's money left for Z?

 

People's asses.

[hardcorecubfan]

what actually is this years budget, soriono is not getting paid 130 mill this year. Knowing that what is the true per this year expenditure on labor in the dugout. (not including the towel boy)

[BigbadB]

Have I missed something? I haven't seen anything that would even suggest that they don't want to sign Z over concern over the budget in the next couple years (2007, 2008, 2009)-so where is this all coming from about Hendry not knowing if there's money left for Z?

 

What exactly is the hold up, then?