Cubs and Big Z Avoid Arbitration, Agree to 1/$12.4 M

[PrimeTime]

MESA, Ariz. - Cubs general manager Jim Hendry left the parking lot at Fitch Park at 11:20 this morning, apparently to head home and change into his suit for an afternoon salary-arbitration hearing with pitcher Carlos Zambrano.

Minutes earlier, Hendry and Zambrano met for 2-3 minutes on one of the practice fields, with Hendry doing a lot of hand gesturing.

 

With it appearing the two sides had failed to strike an agreement on a one-year contract, the stage was set for an arbitration hearing at 3 p.m. Chicago time today at a Phoenix hotel. The hearing would be the first for the Cubs since 1993, when they went to an arbitration hearing with first baseman Mark Grace.

 

Zambrano is seeking $15.5 million for 2007, and the Cubs are offering $11.025 million. Last season, when Zambrano went 16-7 with a 3.41 ERA, he made $6.5 million.

 

There was still a chance the two sides could settle their differences, even up to the minutes before the hearing starts. The Cubs do not wish to settle at the midpoint number because they feel Zambrano's side has filed much too high at $15.5 million. The arbitration panel must choose one number or the other.

 

http://www.dailyherald.com/sports/story.asp?id=283274

[Magnetic Curses]

MESA, Ariz. - Cubs general manager Jim Hendry left the parking lot at Fitch Park at 11:20 this morning, apparently to head home and change into his suit for an afternoon salary-arbitration hearing with pitcher Carlos Zambrano.

Minutes earlier, Hendry and Zambrano met for 2-3 minutes on one of the practice fields, with Hendry doing a lot of hand gesturing.

 

With it appearing the two sides had failed to strike an agreement on a one-year contract, the stage was set for an arbitration hearing at 3 p.m. Chicago time today at a Phoenix hotel. The hearing would be the first for the Cubs since 1993, when they went to an arbitration hearing with first baseman Mark Grace.

 

Zambrano is seeking $15.5 million for 2007, and the Cubs are offering $11.025 million. Last season, when Zambrano went 16-7 with a 3.41 ERA, he made $6.5 million.

 

There was still a chance the two sides could settle their differences, even up to the minutes before the hearing starts. The Cubs do not wish to settle at the midpoint number because they feel Zambrano's side has filed much too high at $15.5 million. The arbitration panel must choose one number or the other.

 

http://www.dailyherald.com/sports/story.asp?id=283274

 

here's your 15.5 mil, mr zambrano, thank you for wasting our time, mr. hendry.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Frankly, I don't blame the Cubs. Looking at how this process works, the Cubs will win this hearing.

[JonnyRed]

Sure hope this doesn't negatively impact negotiating the long-term deal. I was encouraged by what Z has said during the past few days.

[PrimeTime]

I dont get why he dosen't take this 11 or 12 mil hes getting offered for jsut 1 year..He knows hes going to get 15-17 the next 5 years or so no matter what.How much freakin money do you need?

[Bruce Miles]

Thanks for the link, guys. Should be a fun afternoon, heading to Phoenix and then back to Mesa. Maybe Jim can give Z a lift over there.

[BigbadB]

The Cubs do not wish to settle at the midpoint number because they feel Zambrano's side has filed much too high at $15.5 million. The arbitration panel must choose one number or the other.

 

http://www.dailyherald.com/sports/story.asp?id=283274

 

How ironic. 7m a year for the next 3 years for a pitcher with an over 6.00 ERA is not considered too much, but 13.5/13.75m for a GOOD pitcher, a true #1 starter is too high.

 

Good luck getting Zito money from Hendry, Carlos. He seems to think 15m is too high, so there isn't any possible way he gives out 18m for the same guy.

 

At least Hendry pretended like he wanted to get a deal done. Now I'm pissed again.

[Brian]

I dont get why he dosen't take this 11 or 12 mil hes getting offered for jsut 1 year..He knows hes going to get 15-17 the next 5 years or so no matter what.How much freakin money do you need?

 

You gotta make as much money as you can as quick as you can. What happens if he gets injured this season?

[jtownie]

Thanks for the link, guys. Should be a fun afternoon, heading to Phoenix and then back to Mesa. Maybe Jim can give Z a lift over there.

Thanks for updates Bruce. it'd be interesting to know what they were discussing when Hendry was gesturing to Z.

[PrimeTime]

Thanks for the link, guys. Should be a fun afternoon, heading to Phoenix and then back to Mesa. Maybe Jim can give Z a lift over there.

 

Bruce, do you think this is going to have a big negative effect on getting a long-term deal done? Jim is going to have to say alot of negative things to Zambranos face in the process, and with a emotional guy like Carlos, it looks like getting a long term deal will be very difficult.

[CuseCubFan69]

The Cubs do not wish to settle at the midpoint number because they feel Zambrano's side has filed much too high at $15.5 million. The arbitration panel must choose one number or the other.

 

http://www.dailyherald.com/sports/story.asp?id=283274

 

How ironic. 7m a year for the next 3 years for a pitcher with an over 6.00 ERA is not considered too much, but 13.5/13.75m for a GOOD pitcher, a true #1 starter is too high.

 

Good luck getting Zito money from Hendry, Carlos. He seems to think 15m is too high, so there isn't any possible way he gives out 18m for the same guy.

 

At least Hendry pretended like he wanted to get a deal done. Now I'm pissed again.

 

I'm not. Let them haggle for awhile longer and even if Z wins or loses this thing (if it goes that far) they still have the spring to talk.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

The Cubs do not wish to settle at the midpoint number because they feel Zambrano's side has filed much too high at $15.5 million. The arbitration panel must choose one number or the other.

 

http://www.dailyherald.com/sports/story.asp?id=283274

 

How ironic. 7m a year for the next 3 years for a pitcher with an over 6.00 ERA is not considered too much, but 13.5/13.75m for a GOOD pitcher, a true #1 starter is too high.

 

Good luck getting Zito money from Hendry, Carlos. He seems to think 15m is too high, so there isn't any possible way he gives out 18m for the same guy.

 

At least Hendry pretended like he wanted to get a deal done. Now I'm pissed again.

 

Hendry understands the process. While I want Zambrano signed, I can see the logic here. Hendry likely sees the Oswalt deal as comparable to what Zambrano should recieve. He may be willing to go a little higher, but his leverage is in winning this hearing. If Zambrano loses and is only making 11 million this year, then they can use the extra million in this year to sweeten a possible extension. If they lose, which based on the way these hearings go I don't think they will, they will have to offer much more in the extension.

 

If they gave in to the mid-point and signed Zambrano to a one-year 13.5 million deal, then they would have to begin the escalation on the extension there.

 

While I'm certain Hendry is working to keep Zambrano, he certainly has to be smart with the dollars here.

[USSoccer]

Penny wise, pound foolish.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Thanks for the link, guys. Should be a fun afternoon, heading to Phoenix and then back to Mesa. Maybe Jim can give Z a lift over there.

 

Bruce, do you think this is going to have a big negative effect on getting a long-term deal done? Jim is going to have to say alot of negative things to Zambranos face in the process, and with a emotional guy like Carlos, it looks like getting a long term deal will be very difficult.

 

I'm not Bruce, but I don't think they Cubs have to say a lot of negative things. Comparing Zambrano to Oswalt is not negative. The Cubs could go in and present a case that Zambrano and Oswalt are extremely similar in experience and success and then present the Oswalt contract along with the Carpenter contract as evidence that their offer to Zambrano is fair.

[BigbadB]

Thanks for the link, guys. Should be a fun afternoon, heading to Phoenix and then back to Mesa. Maybe Jim can give Z a lift over there.

 

Bruce, do you think this is going to have a big negative effect on getting a long-term deal done? Jim is going to have to say alot of negative things to Zambranos face in the process, and with a emotional guy like Carlos, it looks like getting a long term deal will be very difficult.

 

What kind of negative things can be said of Carlos? The reason Carlos isn't already at least a two time 20 game winner is because of the crappy offenses Hendry put together. Hendry and Baker have abused Carlos to the point his arm is about to fall off.

 

Zambrano might have gone high with his asking price, but the Cubs lowballed him too. Zambrano is more than a million dollars better than Ted Lilly.

Edited February 20, 2007 by BigbadB

[Bruce Miles]

Thanks for the link, guys. Should be a fun afternoon, heading to Phoenix and then back to Mesa. Maybe Jim can give Z a lift over there.

 

Bruce, do you think this is going to have a big negative effect on getting a long-term deal done? Jim is going to have to say alot of negative things to Zambranos face in the process, and with a emotional guy like Carlos, it looks like getting a long term deal will be very difficult.

 

No, I don't think this will affect the big picture adversely. Both sides seem to understand that this is business.

[CubColtPacer]

The Cubs do not wish to settle at the midpoint number because they feel Zambrano's side has filed much too high at $15.5 million. The arbitration panel must choose one number or the other.

 

http://www.dailyherald.com/sports/story.asp?id=283274

 

How ironic. 7m a year for the next 3 years for a pitcher with an over 6.00 ERA is not considered too much, but 13.5/13.75m for a GOOD pitcher, a true #1 starter is too high.

 

Good luck getting Zito money from Hendry, Carlos. He seems to think 15m is too high, so there isn't any possible way he gives out 18m for the same guy.

 

At least Hendry pretended like he wanted to get a deal done. Now I'm pissed again.

 

It's all about risk with arbitration hearings. Most times the two can agree to the mid-point because it is unclear on what the arbiter will decide. By going to arbitration and not accepting the mid-point, the Cubs are saying that they firmly believe that the arbiter will agree with them. If it works, then that will help negotiations later-it has little bearing on if Hendry is willing to give Z 17 or 18 million a year for a long-term extension, but he would like to have it as low as he possibly can, and going to an arbiter might help the Cubs get it a little lower.

[CuseCubFan69]

I'm surprised the Cubs didn't go 12 or 12.5 more than anything.

[BigbadB]

The arbiter has to know how the market exploded this offseason. I think Carlos has a very good chance of winning his case. I hope he does.

[CubColtPacer]

I'm surprised the Cubs didn't go 12 or 12.5 more than anything.

 

My guess is that the Cubs planned on settling for about 12.5, so they didn't want to offer that and then have to work on a new mid-point that was higher than that. They offered 11, they thought Z would offer about 14, and when he offered 15.5 the mid-point of that was simply unacceptable to them.

[Banedon]

Does the artbiter make an immediate decision? How long will we wait to hear who wins?

[Bull]

Thanks for the link, guys. Should be a fun afternoon, heading to Phoenix and then back to Mesa. Maybe Jim can give Z a lift over there.

 

What type of hand gesturing? Hands clasped pleading? A hand shake attempt left hanging? Arms thrown up in disgust? Did Jimbo give Z the Michael Vick treatment?

Edited February 20, 2007 by Bull

[PrimeTime]

I guess I cant really blame Zambrano for this since Lilly is making 10 million a year,Soriano is making like 17,18 million..Jim drove up the market so much that Z wants to get paid what hes worth.I think alot of it has to do with pride.Him getting only 1 more million than Lilly is probably insulting to him.

[Bruno7481]

The Cubs do not wish to settle at the midpoint number because they feel Zambrano's side has filed much too high at $15.5 million. The arbitration panel must choose one number or the other.

 

http://www.dailyherald.com/sports/story.asp?id=283274

 

How ironic. 7m a year for the next 3 years for a pitcher with an over 6.00 ERA is not considered too much, but 13.5/13.75m for a GOOD pitcher, a true #1 starter is too high.

 

Good luck getting Zito money from Hendry, Carlos. He seems to think 15m is too high, so there isn't any possible way he gives out 18m for the same guy.

 

At least Hendry pretended like he wanted to get a deal done. Now I'm pissed again.

 

Hendry understands the process. While I want Zambrano signed, I can see the logic here. Hendry likely sees the Oswalt deal as comparable to what Zambrano should recieve. He may be willing to go a little higher, but his leverage is in winning this hearing. If Zambrano loses and is only making 11 million this year, then they can use the extra million in this year to sweeten a possible extension. If they lose, which based on the way these hearings go I don't think they will, they will have to offer much more in the extension.

 

If they gave in to the mid-point and signed Zambrano to a one-year 13.5 million deal, then they would have to begin the escalation on the extension there.

 

While I'm certain Hendry is working to keep Zambrano, he certainly has to be smart with the dollars here.

 

The Oswalt deal should be comparable. Oswalt has had the better career.

[erik316wttn]

I'm more and more afraid every day that Hendry will find a way to royally screw this up.