Z CONTRACT: On Hold Due to Trib Sale

[B]

I've never understood why players are expected to give discounts to the team that they play for.

 

Because over the last 30 years we've been conditioned to believe that we are all just lucky to have a job and that unions are evil monsters who steal money and protect the incompetent. Hail Reagan!

 

It's the same way with the draft in football. The draft protects the teams not the players. It is the draft that rewards incompetent owners. All my friends were pissed at Eli Manning for not wanting to go to the Saints. While, I was of the opinion of, more powere to him.

 

What are you talking about?

[C.C.]

I've never understood why players are expected to give discounts to the team that they play for.

 

Because over the last 30 years we've been conditioned to believe that we are all just lucky to have a job and that unions are evil monsters who steal money and protect the incompetent. Hail Reagan!

 

It's the same way with the draft in football. The draft protects the teams not the players. It is the draft that rewards incompetent owners. All my friends were pissed at Eli Manning for not wanting to go to the Saints. While, I was of the opinion of, more powere to him.

 

What are you talking about?

 

The chargers drafting Manning.

[CubinNY]

I've never understood why players are expected to give discounts to the team that they play for.

 

Because over the last 30 years we've been conditioned to believe that we are all just lucky to have a job and that unions are evil monsters who steal money and protect the incompetent. Hail Reagan!

 

It's the same way with the draft in football. The draft protects the teams not the players. It is the draft that rewards incompetent owners. All my friends were pissed at Eli Manning for not wanting to go to the Saints. While, I was of the opinion of, more powere to him.

 

What are you talking about?

 

The chargers drafting Manning.

Chargers not Saints, sorry.

[Wheelimus]

Thing is, Zito getting 7 years and 126 million dollars doesn't set that as the market for Zambrano, it just means that the San Fransisco Giants ownership are idiots.

 

In the same way that A-Rod signing a 10 year, 252 million dollar contract didn't set the market for comparable players, it just meant that the Texas Rangers ownership were idiots. If that had of set the market for a player of his caliber, Pujols would have gotten much more than 7/100.

 

It's just as fair to say that Jason Schmidts 3/47 contract, or around 15.7 per year, sets the market for Zambrano, albeit extended to five years.

 

I think 5/85 is incredibly fair to all involved.

[A New Era]

I've never understood why players are expected to give discounts to the team that they play for.

 

I think it's great if a player took a huge discount if it meant enough in savings to add another great player, which in turn would increase the chances of the team winning, but there aren't many unselfish players willing to do something like that. And the reason is, some of these guys won't have anything to fall back on once their baseball careers are over, so make as much as you can while you still can.

 

Even if you only have $4-$5 million, you could live (very comfortably) off of the interest alone. So basically most baseball players are dumb?

[bdutts]

Thing is, Zito getting 7 years and 126 million dollars doesn't set that as the market for Zambrano, it just means that the San Fransisco Giants ownership are idiots.

 

Maybe, but that's not what the agent is going to say. The agent is going to look at money and years and compare that player's age and numbers with his current client and determine where his client is.

 

It's kind of like when you sell your house for above or below market value. The sale of your house will set the market for future buyers/sellers for similar houses.

[BigbadB]

Even if you only have $4-$5 million, you could live (very comfortably) off of the interest alone. So basically most baseball players are dumb?

 

Tell that to all the boxers that are walking the streets. Tell that to Kareem Abdul Jabbar who was broke when his career ended.

 

A guy's arm could fall off tomorrow and his career will be over. You get what you can get when you can get it. Period.

 

I suppose these guys could live off the interest of their 4-5 million, but wouldn't they be giving up a significant portion of the lifestyle they had been living while they were still playing the game? Why give that up if you could live off the interest of even more than 4-5 million?

 

To ask the question another way.......

 

You're currently the manager of the McDonald's down the street. You make $13.00 an hour and get good benefits. You've been with McDonald's for 8 years now, and you're pretty pleased with how things have worked out for you. Are you so loyal to them that you would turn down $17.00 an hour to be the manager at Burger King with the same benefits? Is McDonald's treating you so well that you'd be willing to pass over $8,320 of increased annual income to keep grilling burgers?

 

Do you like that "hometown discount"? To me, I think that my current employer is raking me over the coals and tomorrow I'll be broiling burgers instead of grilling them.

 

Baseball isn't a job you can hold onto until you are age 65. Most players are out of the game before they reach 35. Some of these guys never got an education to speak of, and they will need to learn how to manage their money fast, or it will be gone as quickly as it came. And there is NO job that will pay them anywhere close to what they are getting now, so you get what you can get while you can.

 

If you were in Zambrano's shoes, you'd be asking for as much as you could squeeze out of the Cubs. And you aren't just negotiating by yourself. You have your agent, your family members and the players union all making sure you take what you have coming.

[Mark_R]

I've never known McDonalds to legitimately grill anything.

[cbbryan]

I think players should get what they want, but keep in mind where there going.

 

Too many guys think about the money and not the team that they're going to. Mike Hampton going to Colorado for example. Kevin Millwood leaving Atlanta.

 

Same thing happens in all other major sports. How many LB that are built for the 3-4 sign a huge deal to play in a 4-3 and then struggle because it's not there element.......... IMO, it's a shame, but it is the business side of sports.

 

There are far too many players that leave teams that are perfectly suited to them for bigger money. Granted, some guys aren't going to fit into that "perfectly suited" teams budget anyway and have to go, but there's still quite a few (especially Boras clients) that only see green and not situation.

[C.C.]

Money shouldn't be the deciding factor in this. Money doesn't always equate to happiness. If he's truly happy here whats the harm in taking less? Lets face it by taking less you are still setup for life....

[bdutts]

Even if you only have $4-$5 million, you could live (very comfortably) off of the interest alone. So basically most baseball players are dumb?

 

Tell that to all the boxers that are walking the streets. Tell that to Kareem Abdul Jabbar who was broke when his career ended.

 

A guy's arm could fall off tomorrow and his career will be over. You get what you can get when you can get it. Period.

 

I suppose these guys could live off the interest of their 4-5 million, but wouldn't they be giving up a significant portion of the lifestyle they had been living while they were still playing the game? Why give that up if you could live off the interest of even more than 4-5 million?

 

To ask the question another way.......

 

You're currently the manager of the McDonald's down the street. You make $13.00 an hour and get good benefits. You've been with McDonald's for 8 years now, and you're pretty pleased with how things have worked out for you. Are you so loyal to them that you would turn down $17.00 an hour to be the manager at Burger King with the same benefits? Is McDonald's treating you so well that you'd be willing to pass over $8,320 of increased annual income to keep grilling burgers?

 

Do you like that "hometown discount"? To me, I think that my current employer is raking me over the coals and tomorrow I'll be broiling burgers instead of grilling them.

 

Baseball isn't a job you can hold onto until you are age 65. Most players are out of the game before they reach 35. Some of these guys never got an education to speak of, and they will need to learn how to manage their money fast, or it will be gone as quickly as it came. And there is NO job that will pay them anywhere close to what they are getting now, so you get what you can get while you can.

 

If you were in Zambrano's shoes, you'd be asking for as much as you could squeeze out of the Cubs. And you aren't just negotiating by yourself. You have your agent, your family members and the players union all making sure you take what you have coming.

 

There is a huge difference between 17 bucks and hour and 13 per hour. There isn't a huge difference between 15M and 17M when talking about living comfortably. Plus, there are other factors that have to do with it, like moving your kids/family, new city, etc. And people don't like change to begin with. So, is getting that extra cash going to be worth it? Obviously, depends on the person.

[mg420]

Even if you only have $4-$5 million, you could live (very comfortably) off of the interest alone. So basically most baseball players are dumb?

 

Tell that to all the boxers that are walking the streets. Tell that to Kareem Abdul Jabbar who was broke when his career ended.

 

A guy's arm could fall off tomorrow and his career will be over. You get what you can get when you can get it. Period.

 

I suppose these guys could live off the interest of their 4-5 million, but wouldn't they be giving up a significant portion of the lifestyle they had been living while they were still playing the game? Why give that up if you could live off the interest of even more than 4-5 million?

 

To ask the question another way.......

 

You're currently the manager of the McDonald's down the street. You make $13.00 an hour and get good benefits. You've been with McDonald's for 8 years now, and you're pretty pleased with how things have worked out for you. Are you so loyal to them that you would turn down $17.00 an hour to be the manager at Burger King with the same benefits? Is McDonald's treating you so well that you'd be willing to pass over $8,320 of increased annual income to keep grilling burgers?

 

Do you like that "hometown discount"? To me, I think that my current employer is raking me over the coals and tomorrow I'll be broiling burgers instead of grilling them.

 

Baseball isn't a job you can hold onto until you are age 65. Most players are out of the game before they reach 35. Some of these guys never got an education to speak of, and they will need to learn how to manage their money fast, or it will be gone as quickly as it came. And there is NO job that will pay them anywhere close to what they are getting now, so you get what you can get while you can.

 

If you were in Zambrano's shoes, you'd be asking for as much as you could squeeze out of the Cubs. And you aren't just negotiating by yourself. You have your agent, your family members and the players union all making sure you take what you have coming.

 

so you are comparing living at the poverty level to having a few extra million dollars a year to throw around? not a very good example imo. weather he gets 85 mil or 125 mil he will be set for life and if he has an ounce of sense neither he or his children will ever have to work again if they don't choose to.

[E.J.]

Chicago Tribune[/url]"]Negotiations over Carlos Zambrano's contract extension heated up Friday with a face-to-face meeting between general manager Jim Hendry and the pitcher's agent, Barry Praver.

 

The two sides now appear close to consummating a deal by Zambrano's Opening Day deadline.

 

"We had a nice conversation, and everything's positive and on the upbeat," Hendry said. "Hopefully we'll be able to come together."

 

The parameters of the deal have been discussed, with both sides agreeing to five years. How far apart they are on the total package is unknown, though the Cubs' offer is expected to be under Barry Zito's $18 million-per-season range.

 

Hendry's close relationship with Zambrano may be the key to getting the deal getting done. Zambrano apparently is willing to play for less money for the Cubs than he would receive on the open market, and his compromise during last month's arbitration proceedings proved the two sides aren't far apart.

[BigbadB]

so you are comparing living at the poverty level to having a few extra million dollars a year to throw around? not a very good example imo. weather he gets 85 mil or 125 mil he will be set for life and if he has an ounce of sense neither he or his children will ever have to work again if they don't choose to.

 

13-17 per hour is poverty level? Wow, I'm behind the times. I never realized things have gotten that bad. Not really surprising under George Bush's watch, really.

 

Whether you like the example or not, most people will take the job that pays more money. It's a fact of life. And to add to that, most people will find a way to pay less for the same services.

 

And it's a bit of a stretch to say that neither he or his children will ever have to work again. You would hope he would manage his money well enough to never have to work again. MC Hammer didn't manage his money very well. Kareem Abdul Jabbar let someone else manage his money and he was broke right after he retired. Mike Tyson? Broke. How much money has Barry Bonds forked out to make his head as big as it is? :D

[brinoch]

How much money has Barry Bonds forked out to make his head as big as it is? :D

 

That's a terrible example. Everyone knows that head inflation is tremendously expensive. :wink:

[SouthSideRyan]

 

so you are comparing living at the poverty level to having a few extra million dollars a year to throw around? not a very good example imo. weather he gets 85 mil or 125 mil he will be set for life and if he has an ounce of sense neither he or his children will ever have to work again if they don't choose to.

 

It's all relative to your position in life. There are homeless people out there that couldn't believe somebody would haggle over 4 dollars an hour, when they already have the means to live comfortably.(That is with a dwelling) People have this complex with millionaire individuals where they already don't think they deserve to be making the money they're getting in the first place, so to be asking for more than the BILLIONAIRE corporation offers is insulting to them. It's ridiculous. Whether you're penniless or a billionaire, there is a free market out there, and while I'm not a cold hearted capitalist who would go wherever the most money was, I'm never going to fault a guy for negotiating for more money even if he is happy where he's at.

 

I've thought since the beginning that Zambrano has never had any intention of leaving. I think it's why you've had some schizophrenic comments about the negotiations from Zambrano until his agent finally put a muzzle on him and told him he'd take care of it.

 

Z will be signed and he'll get less than market value because he wants to be here, while getting more than the Cubs initial offer, probably because it was insulting.(Yes, 8 digit per year offers can be insulting when comparing them with market price)

[CubsInNC]

so you are comparing living at the poverty level to having a few extra million dollars a year to throw around? not a very good example imo. weather he gets 85 mil or 125 mil he will be set for life and if he has an ounce of sense neither he or his children will ever have to work again if they don't choose to.

 

13-17 per hour is poverty level? Wow, I'm behind the times. I never realized things have gotten that bad. Not really surprising under George Bush's watch, really.

 

According to the US Census Bureau, $27,000 a year ($13/hr 2080 hours) is over the poverty line for a family of 5 or less people. Not that in most places anyone could truly live on that, but that's the federal poverty line.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Link.

 

It's likely ace Carlos Zambrano will take the mound Monday on Opening Day in Cincinnati without a new five-year contract. This was his stated deadline for completing a deal with the Cubs

 

With face-to-face talks between general manager Jim Hendry and agent Barry Praver set to resume this morning in Cincinnati, sources indicated progress has been made -- and negotiations have remained positive -- but closure on a complicated deal might not be completed before Zambrano's stated deadline.

 

That doesn't mean a deal won't be completed beyond the deadline, sources stressed Saturday before the Cubs boarded their flight from Las Vegas to Cincinnati.

 

But sources say the sides have made significant progress, and it is believed they are extremely close on the key components of length (five years) and base salary (in the $80 million to $85 million range), but other issues such as potential out clauses and bonuses remain unsettled.

 

And Zambrano has changed his stance on discussing the talks.

 

''I'll pass on that,'' he said Saturday. ''I don't want to talk about contract now.''

 

Let's see what happens.

[Schwarber Fan]

Good to see he's focused on the game right now...

[C.C.]

It'll get done. One thing Hendry does well is close the deal.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Sullivan weighs in on it as well.

 

Link.

 

There was no movement in the Zambrano negotiations Saturday, though a five-year deal through 2011 appears to be in the offing. Hendry is expected to meet with Zambrano's agent again Sunday in Cincinnati. If there's no deal by then, an announcement could be pushed off until Tuesday because Zambrano pitches in the opener on Monday. Sources indicate Zambrano's "deadline" of Opening Day isn't set in stone, despite Zambrano's pronouncement Thursday that he won't extend it even if they are close.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Bruce's article seems to imply something could get worked out today.

 

Link.

 

t looks as if both sides can agree that a five-year contract is within the realm of reason. Whether the total salary is closer to $75 million or $90 million could be spelled out today.

 

“Everything has been positive, with no negatives at all,” said Cubs general manager Jim Hendry.

[Fred Hornkohl]

My money is on Hendry getting this one done, whether it's today or during the week.

[Electron Blue]

Might as well ask it here, why do players so often not want to negotiate in the season. It wouldn't be much of a distractions; it's really just the agent doing the meetings. Is it as simple as wanting to have the leverage of a deadline?

[Balsa]

Bold prediction: It's formally announced just before the game.