Should Z Still Get Big Money?

[Guest]

I'd still want to trade him even if he was 110% healthy. Do you really think all NSBB posters want to trade him only over supposed injuries? Or that none of us have good reasons for wanting to do so? No, please, dismiss us again.

Sensitive much? You seem to not be in touch with the "sky is falling" mentality that this place exudes . . . I never claimed that all NSBB posters are advocating trading Z because of (potential?) injury, but a great number posting in this thread, and on this board, clearly are.

 

You're the exception? That's wonderful! My recently-posted comments don't and never did apply to you. I'll just put together a different list of reasons as to why trading a 110%-healthy Zambrano would be a bad idea as well . . .

 

How would the Cubs be able to get away with trading Z if he is indeed injured?

[GhostRunner]

How would the Cubs be able to get away with trading Z if he is indeed injured?

](*,)

 

Why are you asking me? The posters here talking about things like potential TJS would be better suited to answer that. Could the Cubs trade Z if he was hurt? No, probably not - and if he's on the DL, then it's moot, 'cause he can't be traded at all. Not to say that there hasn't been a pitcher dealt just to turn around and get injured shortly thereafter . . .

 

Most people here who are claiming injury and calling for a trade and/or a pass on re-signing Z are caught up in PAP and x-ray vision, and are hoping the Cubs ship Zambrano out for something before he's potentially worth nothing - which is what the Cubs would get in return for him if he does go down for an extended period.

 

There's certainly an element of logic in that thinking, but only if the situation as it currently stands involves things such as missed starts, markedly reduced pitch velocity, decreased pitch counts, etc - none of which are the case. Mechanics issues don't always mean a pitcher's injured, although they could lead to that if the problems don't get fixed.

 

I'm just taking a stance against knee-jerk reactions, way too much the norm around here. Backtobanks' post summed it up quite nicely.

[Soriano12]

Carlos Zambrano took a bullpen session before Saturday's game against the Phillies under the watchful eye of Cubs manager Lou Piniella, and the Cubs skipper liked what he saw.

 

Zambrano has been recently struggling slightly with his mechanics, opening up his hips on his delivery. What it's done is cause opposing hitters to get an early look at what the right-hander is throwing. It's led to a .361 batting average against and 13 runs in the first inning.

 

Piniella feels the problem is corrected.

 

"What I saw basically was him shortening his arc a little bit and staying closed a little longer, which makes things more compact," Piniella said. "That makes him a more aggressive pitcher. When a pitcher is a little long, as a hitter, you get a longer look at the ball. It makes it easier to see the pitch."

 

Zambrano is 2-1 over his last three starts, but he has a 4.26 ERA in 19 innings pitched, surrendering 13 hits and eight earned runs over his last two starts.

 

Piniella said he expects Zambrano to be back to form very soon.

 

"We're looking for a little consistency factor," Piniella said. "His stuff looks good."

"Problem corrected"? "Back to form"? "Stuff looks good"?

 

Doesn't Rothschild and Piniella realize that NSBB posters have already declared Zambrano to be clearly-injured, trade-bait material? Quit tweaking his delivery and ship him off to the Yankees already! :P

 

Ummm..most people want him traded because (considering the state of ownership) it is a strong possibility we won't be able to sign him this offseason.