Zambrano Talks Could Be Put-Off Until Season's End

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

It appears the delay in getting Zambrano signed could result in the deal not getting done at all, and the Cubs having to negotiate after the season according to Ken Rosenthal.

 

Link.

 

Three weeks later, the pending transactions are holding up the completion of Zambrano's $80 million agreement, and the talks are a week or so away from being tabled until the end of the season, major-league sources tell FOXSports.com.

 

Not good news for the Cubs.

 

Zambrano, who turns 26 on June 1, wants to remain with the team, but the closer he gets to free agency, the more difficult and expensive it will be for the Cubs to keep him — and the greater the potential for distraction.

 

Hmm....interesting.

[NCCubFan]

If the Cubs aren't going to re-sign him then they MUST trade him and get a good return. Losing him for nothing is not an option.

[USSoccer]

If the Cubs aren't going to re-sign him then they MUST trade him and get a good return. Losing him for nothing is not an option.

 

Agreed 100%.

 

I'd like to add that if Hill and Lilly continue to be lights out, and Guzman comes up and does well, it would make it that much easier to deal him.

 

Only question is, to who and for what?

 

Anaheim still has the best young player combo.

[Balsa]

It would be a shame to see him go, he is one of my favorite Cubs. :(

[NCCubFan]

I'd like to add that if Hill and Lilly continue to be lights out, and Guzman comes up and does well, it would make it that much easier to deal him.

And if Marquis continues to be at least decent (I don't expect him to keep up with what he's done so far).

[RichHillIsABeast]

This could be the best thing to ever happen to the Cubs organization. It could also be Greg Maddux Part II.

[texascub]

What kind of return could we seriously expect for him though? He's young and very good, but he's also in a contract year so that will drop his value some because there is a large possibility that he would turn out to be a rental.

 

Who and when was the last big pitcher trade that we could really compare this to? Randy Johnson to the Yankees was the last big one that I can really think of, and because of his age I don't think we could really compare his value to Z's. The A's really didn't get much in return for either Mulder or Hudson.

[Post Count Padder]

I don't know. I like Z and would want to see him in Cubbie blue for years to come. But if we are certain we will lose him in the offseason and we get a good trade offer (like, for example, the Angles offering Santana and Wood) than maybe we should do it.

[RichHillIsABeast]

What kind of return could we seriously expect for him though? He's young and very good, but he's also in a contract year so that will drop his value some because there is a large possibility that he would turn out to be a rental.

 

Who and when was the last big pitcher trade that we could really compare this to? Randy Johnson to the Yankees was the last big one that I can really think of, and because of his age I don't think we could really compare his value to Z's. The A's really didn't get much in return for either Mulder or Hudson.

 

It's funny how you mentioned Mulder. Mulder had his BB/9 spike just like Z's has and then kaboom.

 

What did Hudson net the A's? Dan Meyer? I think his minor league numbers looked pretty sweet until AAA, IIRC. He was one of the best left handed SP prospects in the game at the time of the trade, but his weird showing at AAA cost him some prospect status - probably an A- prospect.

 

Z should bring us at least one good/great near ML ready prospect. I doubt he nets us Brandon Wood or Ervin Santana, although rumors had Santana being available for ARam last season. Maybe we could get Aybar, Jung, Conger, or Mathis. A decent catching prospect would be nice. I think Adenhart might be a little out of reach, but who knows.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Emotionally, I'd like to keep Zambrano. But, if he's not going to be re-signed during the season, and if Hill and Lilly prove they can anchor the rotation, I wouldn't be entirely opposed to dealing him.

 

Ideally, I'd like to see the Cubs get a young hitter and pitcher who are both major league ready in the deal.

[NCCubFan]

What kind of return could we seriously expect for him though? He's young and very good, but he's also in a contract year so that will drop his value some because there is a large possibility that he would turn out to be a rental.

A contending team would likely be willing to pay a lot if they think he can put them over the top. Think Doyle Alexander for John Smoltz or Larry Andersen for Jeff Bagwell.

[Vinestal]

I think they will not want to pull the trigger on a deal before the trading deadline because they will feel like they "need" Z. Its the right thing to do though, as long as you get valueable players back. The Angels have some players Id sure love to see in a Cubs uniform Wood being one of them.

[erik316wttn]

I knew, I just KNEW Jim Hendry would dick around and make a complete mess of this situation.

[illiniguy]

I knew, I just KNEW Jim Hendry would dick around and make a complete mess of this situation.

Yeah there is no way this ends well for the Cubs. Thanks Jim. Although it doesn't matter to him I guess, after this year he will be gone as well.

[CubColtPacer]

I knew, I just KNEW Jim Hendry would dick around and make a complete mess of this situation.

 

It's not Jim Hendry's job to figure out how the possible sale of the Tribune Company would affect the on field decisions of the Cubs. He doesn't talk to the Tribune at all-anything like that would have to be communicated from the Tribune to McDonough to Hendry. McDonough didn't do that until it was too late (and basically said as much in the press)-it's not known for sure if McDonough knew and didn't tell Hendry, or if the Tribune didn't tell McDonough until it was too late either.

Hendry did his job-he negotiated the contract with the player using all available information, and he did it before he lost the player. The ownership just changed the rules, for a reason that had nothing to do with the Cubs, and there was a failure to inform the proper people until it was already done.

[Banedon]

[over-reaction]If Z keeps pitching like he is, this may not be a horrible thing...[/over-reaction]

 

But like others have said, if this gets tabled till the end of the season, especially if the Cubs don't start winning some ballgames, trade Zambrano.

[soccer10k]

[dream]

 

Z to the Yankees for ARod. Give them a reliever if they want also since they could use the pitching at the moment.

 

After Miller gets DFA, the rotation could be Hill, Lilly, Marquis, Guzman, Marmol.

 

I like.

 

[/dream]

[Brian]

[dream]

 

Z to the Yankees for ARod. Give them a reliever if they want also since they could use the pitching at the moment.

 

After Miller gets DFA, the rotation could be Hill, Lilly, Marquis, Guzman, Marmol.

 

I like.

 

[/dream]

 

I'd actually try to work a 3 way and get Miguel Cabrera instead, if we're dreaming.

[Balsa]

If we're talking trades, why not mention Hughes or Linecum?

[Brian]

If we're talking trades, why not mention Hughes or Linecum?

 

I'd rather get good hitters. With Gallagher, Veal and Samardgjia batters are a more pressing need.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Under the right circumstances, I could see a Zambrano + Murton for Santana + Wood deal working for both teams. Edited April 23, 2007 by Transmogrified Tiger

[Balsa]

If we're talking trades, why not mention Hughes or Linecum?

 

I'd rather get good hitters. With Gallagher, Veal and Samardgjia batters are a more pressing need.

Don't forget about Da Gooz and Marmol. But point taken.

 

So lets throw some names out there....

 

Brandon Wood (Angels), Cameron Maybin (Tigers), Fernando Martinez (Mets), Jose Tabata (Yankees)....?

[DiamondMind]

As much as I like Z, (and I know hes young) he cant seem to ever step it up in the big game. Be that opening day, a clutch series, or the playoffs - his emotions always get the best of him.

[RichHillIsABeast]

Under the right circumstances, I could see a Zambrano + Murton for Santana + Wood deal working for both teams.

 

I too think the Angels are the trading partner to deal with since they have the prospects and the money to sign Z to an extension.

[Banedon]

As much as I like Z, (and I know hes young) he cant seem to ever step it up in the big game. Be that opening day, a clutch series, or the playoffs - his emotions always get the best of him.

 

You sound like a Yankees fan talking about A-rod...:D