Z close to signing?

[ctcf]

Random blurb that just showed up on rotoworld:

After on-and-off negotiations all season, Carlos Zambrano said he's ready to sign a five-year extension to stay with the Cubs.

"I'm ready to sign," Zambrano said. "My hand is ready to sign that contract. Just bring it to me. I want to stay here and be a Cubbie for a long time." He added he'd be willing to do the deal before the end of the season. He's hoping for around $18 million per season.

Source: Chicago Tribune

 

This could of course mean absolutely nothing.

[dew1679666265]

Random blurb that just showed up on rotoworld:

After on-and-off negotiations all season, Carlos Zambrano said he's ready to sign a five-year extension to stay with the Cubs.

"I'm ready to sign," Zambrano said. "My hand is ready to sign that contract. Just bring it to me. I want to stay here and be a Cubbie for a long time." He added he'd be willing to do the deal before the end of the season. He's hoping for around $18 million per season.

Source: Chicago Tribune

 

This could of course mean absolutely nothing.

 

The way I'm reading it, Z's saying he's ready to sign but the article doesn't indicate whether the Cubs are ready to pay the money. It just sounds like Z reiterating that he wants to stay in Chicago.

 

Though, that said, I'm still holding out hope we announce he's been inked today.

[Derwood]

I hate that he refers to himself as a Cubbie

[seanimal]

I hate that he refers to himself as a Cubbie

 

Why?

[Derwood]

I hate that he refers to himself as a Cubbie

 

Why?

 

i'm not into a cute nickname for an already cute team name

[seanimal]

I hate that he refers to himself as a Cubbie

 

Why?

 

i'm not into a cute nickname for an already cute team name

 

Fair enough.

 

Should I assume you abstain from the "Let's go Cubbies!" chant when at Wrigley?

[AllStarMe]

I hate that he refers to himself as a Cubbie

I think that due to the "-ie" suffix "Cubbie" has the connotation of sounding small and weak, even moreso than "Cub" which is a cute widdle cuddwy baby bear.

 

edit: yeah, what they said.

[Brian]

Yeah I take that quote as he's ready to sign, but there is no sign that that contract is being presented to him. Which is depressing.

[dew1679666265]

Yeah I take that quote as he's ready to sign, but there is no sign that that contract is being presented to him. Which is depressing.

 

I'd say Hendry's probably chomping at the bit to sign him too, but before new ownership comes in, his hands are tied.

[Guest]

Z and the Cubs haven't even met recently. Actual article that the Rotoworld blurb comes from:

 

Chicago Tribune[/url]"]"I'm ready to sign," Zambrano said. "My hand is ready to sign that contract. Just bring it to me. I want to stay here and be a Cubbie for a long time."

 

Of course, Zambrano didn't say whether he would play for whatever the Cubs want to pay him.

 

...

 

But Zambrano talks as though his contract extension is a done deal, even though the two sides have not had any recent conversations.

 

The New York Mets are considered a likely suitor if the Cubs fail to re-sign Zambrano, which is why he spent some time talking to New York reporters about his contract situation.

 

"I have six years here and I like the city and I like the fans," Zambrano said. "I like playing in this ballpark. When you're used to something and familiar with something, you want to stay there.

 

"But anything is possible. This is a business, and if they don't sign me, I will see what happens in the market and try with a different team."

 

...

 

Zambrano said he would be willing to re-sign with the Cubs before the end of the season.

 

But what would be the benefit of doing that now instead of waiting and seeing how the season plays out and then checking out his value on the open market?

 

"Because I want to stay here," he said.

[Omar]

That's right Hendry! Catch him in a good mood!

[Little Slide Rooter]

They just need to go ahead and sign him. Its not like they have any other major holes to fill. The only other free agents are Kendall, Wood, Floyd, and Ward, all of whom can be either resigned for cheap, sign a cheap alternative, or be replaced within the Cubs farm system. Zs the only big money they need to spend this off season, or hopefully before. If they lose him, it will make Maddux leaving in '92 look like nothing, especially since this Cubs team finally look like a perenial contender, and Zs ireplaceable, unless they have a deal for Johan Santana or Jake Peavy pending that nobody know about.

[dew1679666265]

They just need to go ahead and sign him. Its not like they have any other major holes to fill. The only other free agents are Kendall, Wood, Floyd, and Ward, all of whom can be either resigned for cheap, sign a cheap alternative, or be replaced within the Cubs farm system. Zs the only big money they need to spend this off season, or hopefully before. If they lose him, it will make Maddux leaving in '92 look like nothing, especially since this Cubs team finally look like a perenial contender, and Zs ireplaceable, unless they have a deal for Johan Santana or Jake Peavy pending that nobody know about.

 

The reason they haven't signed him yet is the uncertainty surrounding the ownership. Big money cannot be committed for multiple years when the current ownership is only in place the remainder of this season.

 

As much as Hendry and McDonough want to sign Z, they have no option but wait until a new owner has been decided on and can give the go ahead.

[killthegoat06]

Come on Hendry...freakin resign him.

[cubfan1955]

They just need to go ahead and sign him. Its not like they have any other major holes to fill. The only other free agents are Kendall, Wood, Floyd, and Ward, all of whom can be either resigned for cheap, sign a cheap alternative, or be replaced within the Cubs farm system. Zs the only big money they need to spend this off season, or hopefully before. If they lose him, it will make Maddux leaving in '92 look like nothing, especially since this Cubs team finally look like a perenial contender, and Zs ireplaceable, unless they have a deal for Johan Santana or Jake Peavy pending that nobody know about.

 

The reason they haven't signed him yet is the uncertainty surrounding the ownership. Big money cannot be committed for multiple years when the current ownership is only in place the remainder of this season.

 

As much as Hendry and McDonough want to sign Z, they have no option but wait until a new owner has been decided on and can give the go ahead.

Yes it can. The Trib still owns the Cubs and can do anything they please. The cost of the contract though would probably be considered debt and subtract from the selling price. The Trib is trying to maximize the price they can get for the Cubs even it means losing Z. The Trib has never, ever been concerned for what is in the best interests of the baseball side of things. It's all about the money.

[dew1679666265]

They just need to go ahead and sign him. Its not like they have any other major holes to fill. The only other free agents are Kendall, Wood, Floyd, and Ward, all of whom can be either resigned for cheap, sign a cheap alternative, or be replaced within the Cubs farm system. Zs the only big money they need to spend this off season, or hopefully before. If they lose him, it will make Maddux leaving in '92 look like nothing, especially since this Cubs team finally look like a perenial contender, and Zs ireplaceable, unless they have a deal for Johan Santana or Jake Peavy pending that nobody know about.

 

The reason they haven't signed him yet is the uncertainty surrounding the ownership. Big money cannot be committed for multiple years when the current ownership is only in place the remainder of this season.

 

As much as Hendry and McDonough want to sign Z, they have no option but wait until a new owner has been decided on and can give the go ahead.

Yes it can. The Trib still owns the Cubs and can do anything they please. The cost of the contract though would probably be considered debt and subtract from the selling price. The Trib is trying to maximize the price they can get for the Cubs even it means losing Z. The Trib has never, ever been concerned for what is in the best interests of the baseball side of things. It's all about the money.

 

Good point. I should have said will not be committed instead. Hendry and McDonough are more than ready to sign Z, but the Trib will not approve the signing since they're selling.

[Little Slide Rooter]

Sisgn him, and do it now. Hes practically begging for it. The fact of the matter is, any potential new owner who wouldnt want a pitcher the calibur of Z on his team has no buisness anywhere near a baseball team let alone owning one.

[inari]

Sisgn him, and do it now. Hes practically begging for it. The fact of the matter is, any potential new owner who wouldnt want a pitcher the calibur of Z on his team has no buisness anywhere near a baseball team let alone owning one.

 

I don't think anyone thinks it's an issue of the new owner not wanting Z.

[shnsajax]

Sisgn him, and do it now. Hes practically begging for it. The fact of the matter is, any potential new owner who wouldnt want a pitcher the calibur of Z on his team has no buisness anywhere near a baseball team let alone owning one.

 

I don't think anyone thinks it's an issue of the new owner not wanting Z.

 

Thats the only thing I don't really understand. His contract regardless of size should have no bearing on a new owner.

[inari]

Sisgn him, and do it now. Hes practically begging for it. The fact of the matter is, any potential new owner who wouldnt want a pitcher the calibur of Z on his team has no buisness anywhere near a baseball team let alone owning one.

 

I don't think anyone thinks it's an issue of the new owner not wanting Z.

 

Thats the only thing I don't really understand. His contract regardless of size should have no bearing on a new owner.

 

Why would the Tribune foot the bill for something they won't be a part of in a few months?

[E.J.]

Sisgn him, and do it now. Hes practically begging for it. The fact of the matter is, any potential new owner who wouldnt want a pitcher the calibur of Z on his team has no buisness anywhere near a baseball team let alone owning one.

 

I don't think anyone thinks it's an issue of the new owner not wanting Z.

 

Thats the only thing I don't really understand. His contract regardless of size should have no bearing on a new owner.

 

Why would the Tribune foot the bill for something they won't be a part of in a few months?

 

How do you figure the Tribune company would be paying for the new contract? The new owners would be stuck with whatever contract the Trib gave to Z.

[soccer10k]

Sisgn him, and do it now. Hes practically begging for it. The fact of the matter is, any potential new owner who wouldnt want a pitcher the calibur of Z on his team has no buisness anywhere near a baseball team let alone owning one.

 

I don't think anyone thinks it's an issue of the new owner not wanting Z.

 

Thats the only thing I don't really understand. His contract regardless of size should have no bearing on a new owner.

 

Why would the Tribune foot the bill for something they won't be a part of in a few months?

 

How do you figure the Tribune company would be paying for the new contract? The new owners would be stuck with whatever contract the Trib gave to Z.

 

The issue is the guaranteed money in contract that will be owed to the players in the future years. The more guaranteed contracts means the more the potential buyers know they will have to spend if they purchase the team.

[Magnetic Curses]

since the cubs won't sit on the market and have to wait for a buyer--i don't know why signing z quickly will be a big deal. hendry will just have to wait for the okay from the approved buyer--even well before the team trades hands. this okay won't take long.

[dew1679666265]

since the cubs won't sit on the market and have to wait for a buyer--i don't know why signing z quickly will be a big deal. hendry will just have to wait for the okay from the approved buyer--even well before the team trades hands. this okay won't take long.

 

I agree. Once the purchase is approved, I'd say the first order of business, even before the Cubs change hands, will be the new owner giving the ok to sign Z. I'll be shocked if it's much after the sale is approved.