Big Z

[Bruce Miles]

As most of you probably know, the Cubs are in no way, shape or form trading Carlos Zambrano. Jim Hendry laughed this one off, as did Z's agent, whom I saw in the lobby yesterday afternoon.

 

No-trade-clauses DO mean something. In Zambrano's case, he took many millions of dollars less from the Cubs to get the NTC. Now, how much do you think it would cost the Cubs to get him to waive it? It's money they don't have.

 

This might be the biggest non-story rumor I've heard. No, it's not CIA stuff or any matter of world importance. But it's foolish just the same.

[Jehrico]

Not to ruin the fun, but Z has a full NTC. He isn't going anywhere.

Why do people still pretend like that means guys can't be traded? If we wanted to trade him, the receiving team would have to convince him to waive it, sure, and it would impact what we got back, but it happens quite a bit. Pretending like a guy absolutely won't be traded because of an NTC is simply ignoring history. It's a lot more common for guys with NTCs to waive them in exchange for something (more money, option picked up, etc) than it is for guys to stand fast and refuse to be traded to any other club out there. Look at Peavy...we're about to get him only BECAUSE he has a NTC. If he didn't have an NTC, we wouldn't be in the conversation.

 

 

Which is exactly why it's pointless to discuss guys with NTCs in hypothetical trade scenarios (well, even more pointless than guys who don't have NTCs).

Not necessarily. If Hendry really was interested in moving him, and the Yankees struck out on the FAs, you don't think there'd be some legitimate proposals there? It's more common for guys to waive the NTCs than invoke them, especially if the player has previously expressed an interest to play in that city. I don't think Zs going anywhere, but I don't think that should make it taboo to suggest what he might fetch.