Trade Market for Z

[Tim]

New Article

[Guest]

BTW - genesis for the article this evening is a series of emails & twitter posts surrounding the Mets having interest in Z. I place zero credibility in the rumors, but thought it was interesting to explore what the options would look like if the Cubs did decide to shop him.

 

Would anyone do a Zambrano for Miguel Cabrera trade and live with fatso in the OF for one year before Lee departs?

[Cubswin11]

BTW - genesis for the article this evening is a series of emails & twitter posts surrounding the Mets having interest in Z. I place zero credibility in the rumors, but thought it was interesting to explore what the options would look like if the Cubs did decide to shop him.

 

Would anyone do a Zambrano for Miguel Cabrera trade and live with fatso in the OF for one year before Lee departs?

That trade would really interest me, but he just simply isn't an OF. Next year I would absolutely do it. Would it take more than just Z and assuming the rest of Cabrera's contract? I wouldn't do it if they wanted Z, us to take on all of Cabrera's contract, and include 1 of Cashner, Jackson, Vitters, or Castro on top of it. You think we could get them to take Z and Lee so we could put Cabrera at 1B this year? We could get a prospect or two as well as salary relief for this year.

[Guest]

BTW - genesis for the article this evening is a series of emails & twitter posts surrounding the Mets having interest in Z. I place zero credibility in the rumors, but thought it was interesting to explore what the options would look like if the Cubs did decide to shop him.

 

Would anyone do a Zambrano for Miguel Cabrera trade and live with fatso in the OF for one year before Lee departs?

That trade would really interest me, but he just simply isn't an OF. Next year I would absolutely do it. Would it take more than just Z and assuming the rest of Cabrera's contract? I wouldn't do it if they wanted Z, us to take on all of Cabrera's contract, and include 1 of Cashner, Jackson, Vitters, or Castro on top of it. You think we could get them to take Z and Lee so we could put Cabrera at 1B this year? We could get a prospect or two as well as salary relief for this year.

Detroit is trying to shed salary, not take it on. And I think they might do a straight trade so that they could shed that commitment.

[jersey cubs fan]

I'm fairly certain I would do that, but I really doubt Zambrano gets traded anywhere.

[Guest]

I'm fairly certain I would do that, but I really doubt Zambrano gets traded anywhere.

So do I, but it's hard to find new things to talk about at this point. As long as the rumors are swirling, I figured it would be worth taking a look at what the possibilities are. :)

 

I just don't see the Cubs being creative / bold enough to do something like any of the trades explored in the article.

[Guest]

Which of the alternatives would you guys pursue if you were in charge? Did I miss any other potential teams?

 

Or would you just stand pat with Z?

[Backtobanks]

I would think the Cubs would have to get back a young starter who could step right into the rotation. As for Reyes, I don't think the Cubs would give up Zambrano when they think Castro is almost ready to take over at SS.

[davell]

Count me as someone that doesn't think Z should be dealt right now. It's a nice idea, if it were possible, I just don't think it is. Not in this market.

 

I really doubt the Yanks were going to give us much to begin with. It sounds like Cabrera and Igawa basically and I would have been megapissed if we had done that......

 

As Tim said, the Red Sox have enough pitching right now, so they aren't really an option.

 

The Mets aren't either unfortunately. I don't see the prospects out there to make me pull the trigger if I'm Hendry. And I don't see any chance at all of the Mets parting with Reyes either. Plus, depending on HOW high the Cubs are on Castro, they may not think it makes sense to deal for a potential longterm answer at SS themselves......And yes, obviously if Reyes were to be acquired, Castro could be dealt for pitching. But, in the end, are you really gaining anything by doing something like this? Seems to me like all you could wind up doing here is ADDING salary, which doesn't seem very smart.

 

The Angels? If you could get Z to waive the NTC, it's worth exploring. I think you'd have to get one of Conger or Trout. And then 1-2 of their group of pitching prospects with upside. Reckling, Richards, Martinez or Chaffee......Doubt you'd get them to part with major league talent personally(unless you want Santana as the main part of the deal), so unless you find a very solid starting pitcher somewhere else, they may not be a true fit either. Because, if you're the Ricketts, your first big move shouldn't be trading your ace and announcing we're taking a step back to all the fans.......PR nightmare, even if it may be the right thing to do

 

Tigers for Miggy? I'm not saying I wouldn't do this, but I don't think the Cubs would. I'd say they are probably pretty gun-shy about taking a risk on anyone with character issues right now, even someone as talented as Miggy.

 

The Dodgers aren't a fit because I see nothing out of them this offseason that tells me the McCourt divorce situation isn't affecting how they operate bigtime. I see that hamstringing them until it is settled. Hell, it wouldn't shock me to see the Dodgers get sold again once all of this mess is over and done with.

 

In the end, the White Sox may be the best fit to deal Z. Straight up for Peavy. Guillen and Z have a lovefest going and Peavy loves the Cubs as well. Does it help us? I'd say so, assuming Peavy stays healthy. But, it's close to a lateral move.

 

Maybe you wait this whole thing out and see if the market is better for him next year. That's what I'd do anyway......

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

How about a deal like this?

 

Zambrano + Castro for Beltran + Reyes. Some additional prospects might need to be added to make it work.

 

The Cubs would get the CF they've been looking for. We take on more money on the front end but shed Zambrano's contract and money sooner. We could move Theriot to 2b and let Reyes take over the lead off spot. We'd have a hole to fill in the rotation, but our line-up would look something like

 

Reyes SS

Fukudome RF

Lee 1b

Ramirez 3b

Beltran CF

Soriano LF

Soto C

Theriot 2b

[imb]

Would anyone do a Zambrano for Miguel Cabrera trade and live with fatso in the OF for one year before Lee departs?

 

I would do that and eat however much of Z's salary they want (within reason)

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Would anyone do a Zambrano for Miguel Cabrera trade and live with fatso in the OF for one year before Lee departs?

 

I would do that and eat however much of Z's salary they want (within reason)

 

I think if anyone is eating anything, it would be Cabrera.

[d_money]

The player I would love on my team would be Hanley Ramirez. I doubt Florida would do thins knowing their payroll is extremely low, but I'd love to find a way to get him on the Cubs.

[NewUserName]

I think the Cubs should be realistic and examine not only trading Z, but also Lee and ARam.

[Soul]

I think the Cubs should be realistic and examine not only trading Z, but also Lee and ARam.

 

that's the tri-fecta. It could give us a good boost rebuilding the team. Trouble is, do you trust Hendry to be the guy responsible for getting max value in return?

[mul21]

I think the Cubs should be realistic and examine not only trading Z, but also Lee and ARam.

 

that's the tri-fecta. It could give us a good boost rebuilding the team. Trouble is, do you trust Hendry to be the guy responsible for getting max value in return?

 

And not just trusting Hendry to get the best value, but trusting him to not devalue those guys at the same time he makes it known they're available. And no, at this point I don't trust him to do either.

[CUBZ99]

I think the Cubs should be realistic and examine not only trading Z, but also Lee and ARam.

 

Amazing that any Cub fan would want to go back to the days of always losing again. Trading the core of the current team when they still have a good chance would be ignorant. The farm system is starting to produce again on its own, and the Cubs have absolutely no reason to shed that much payroll in the market they are in.

 

I would much rather perfer that they try to win this year.

[Guest]

Would anyone do a Zambrano for Miguel Cabrera trade and live with fatso in the OF for one year before Lee departs?

 

I would do that and eat however much of Z's salary they want (within reason)

 

Absolutely. I wouldn't give up anything the Tigers wanted for Cabrera, but a Z for Cabrera deal is one I'd love for the Cubs to make.

[Backtobanks]

I think the Cubs should be realistic and examine not only trading Z, but also Lee and ARam.

 

Amazing that any Cub fan would want to go back to the days of always losing again. Trading the core of the current team when they still have a good chance would be ignorant. The farm system is starting to produce again on its own, and the Cubs have absolutely no reason to shed that much payroll in the market they are in.

 

I would much rather perfer that they try to win this year.

 

Yeah, I agree with you. No matter what all of the fantasy GMs think, I can't see Ricketts spending all of that money to rebuild for the next 2-3 years.

[NewUserName]

I think the Cubs should be realistic and examine not only trading Z, but also Lee and ARam.

 

Amazing that any Cub fan would want to go back to the days of always losing again. Trading the core of the current team when they still have a good chance would be ignorant. The farm system is starting to produce again on its own, and the Cubs have absolutely no reason to shed that much payroll in the market they are in.

 

I would much rather perfer that they try to win this year.

 

The next contracts that DLee and Aram sign will be bad contracts. There is also a possibility it will not be with the Cubs after next year. I also think the rebuild is inevitable, so why not get it started now. Also, what are you trying to win? Division? NL? WS? I think the division is the only reasonable goal with this team.

 

I dont think the Cubs will do it.

[KingCubsFan]

I think the Cubs should be realistic and examine not only trading Z, but also Lee and ARam.

 

Amazing that any Cub fan would want to go back to the days of always losing again. Trading the core of the current team when they still have a good chance would be ignorant. The farm system is starting to produce again on its own, and the Cubs have absolutely no reason to shed that much payroll in the market they are in.

 

I would much rather perfer that they try to win this year.

 

The next contracts that DLee and Aram sign will be bad contracts. There is also a possibility it will not be with the Cubs after next year. I also think the rebuild is inevitable, so why not get it started now. Also, what are you trying to win? Division? NL? WS? I think the division is the only reasonable goal with this team.

 

I dont think the Cubs will do it.

So the playoffs are a crapshoot for every team but the Cubs? The Cubs farm system has made major strides over the past year but it's nowhere near close being able to anchor a rebuilding team. Castro is never going to be a middle of the order hitter and Vitter won't be for quite a while (though I personally doubt he ever will). Our pitching prospects are all projected to be #2 and #3 starters. As for trading Z, Lee and Ramirez, they all have NTC's so you're not going to get maximum value for them anyways. Teams that do firesales are teams that know they won't be able to resign their players on the open market AND won't be able to sign an adequate replacement on the open market so they try to maximize value by trading players as early as possible. That's not the position the Cubs are in, and there's no reason not to wait to trade them until the trading deadline if we're out of it.

[NewUserName]

I think the Cubs should be realistic and examine not only trading Z, but also Lee and ARam.

 

Amazing that any Cub fan would want to go back to the days of always losing again. Trading the core of the current team when they still have a good chance would be ignorant. The farm system is starting to produce again on its own, and the Cubs have absolutely no reason to shed that much payroll in the market they are in.

 

I would much rather perfer that they try to win this year.

 

The next contracts that DLee and Aram sign will be bad contracts. There is also a possibility it will not be with the Cubs after next year. I also think the rebuild is inevitable, so why not get it started now. Also, what are you trying to win? Division? NL? WS? I think the division is the only reasonable goal with this team.

 

I dont think the Cubs will do it.

So the playoffs are a crapshoot for every team but the Cubs? The Cubs farm system has made major strides over the past year but it's nowhere near close being able to anchor a rebuilding team. Castro is never going to be a middle of the order hitter and Vitter won't be for quite a while (though I personally doubt he ever will). Our pitching prospects are all projected to be #2 and #3 starters. As for trading Z, Lee and Ramirez, they all have NTC's so you're not going to get maximum value for them anyways. Teams that do firesales are teams that know they won't be able to resign their players on the open market AND won't be able to sign an adequate replacement on the open market so they try to maximize value by trading players as early as possible. That's not the position the Cubs are in, and there's no reason not to wait to trade them until the trading deadline if we're out of it.

Lee will have 0 value at the Deadline. I would imagine that for Lee adn Aram to waive their NTC they would have to be extended by the teams that are going to trade for them. As I have said their next contracts will probably be bad contracts. So if the Cubs used some sense they would jettison them now for what would probably be not great return. However, the payroll relief may allow for close to equal talent in the FA market next year that may be younger. This is basically the same route the Tigers took in trading Granderson. In the case of Zambrano it may be better to wait until the deadline. He would really have to tank to lower his trade value. He may improve his trade value by pitching well though.

I personally dont believe that the playoffs are a crapshoot. I do believe that the shortness of the postseason does make it easy for lessor teams to win. However I think the better teams win more often then not.

[KingCubsFan]

I think the Cubs should be realistic and examine not only trading Z, but also Lee and ARam.

 

Amazing that any Cub fan would want to go back to the days of always losing again. Trading the core of the current team when they still have a good chance would be ignorant. The farm system is starting to produce again on its own, and the Cubs have absolutely no reason to shed that much payroll in the market they are in.

 

I would much rather perfer that they try to win this year.

 

The next contracts that DLee and Aram sign will be bad contracts. There is also a possibility it will not be with the Cubs after next year. I also think the rebuild is inevitable, so why not get it started now. Also, what are you trying to win? Division? NL? WS? I think the division is the only reasonable goal with this team.

 

I dont think the Cubs will do it.

So the playoffs are a crapshoot for every team but the Cubs? The Cubs farm system has made major strides over the past year but it's nowhere near close being able to anchor a rebuilding team. Castro is never going to be a middle of the order hitter and Vitter won't be for quite a while (though I personally doubt he ever will). Our pitching prospects are all projected to be #2 and #3 starters. As for trading Z, Lee and Ramirez, they all have NTC's so you're not going to get maximum value for them anyways. Teams that do firesales are teams that know they won't be able to resign their players on the open market AND won't be able to sign an adequate replacement on the open market so they try to maximize value by trading players as early as possible. That's not the position the Cubs are in, and there's no reason not to wait to trade them until the trading deadline if we're out of it.

Lee will have 0 value at the Deadline. I would imagine that for Lee adn Aram to waive their NTC they would have to be extended by the teams that are going to trade for them. As I have said their next contracts will probably be bad contracts. So if the Cubs used some sense they would jettison them now for what would probably be not great return. However, the payroll relief may allow for close to equal talent in the FA market next year that may be younger. This is basically the same route the Tigers took in trading Granderson. In the case of Zambrano it may be better to wait until the deadline. He would really have to tank to lower his trade value. He may improve his trade value by pitching well though.

I personally dont believe that the playoffs are a crapshoot. I do believe that the shortness of the postseason does make it easy for lessor teams to win. However I think the better teams win more often then not.

The Tigers traded Granderson because they are losing a ton of money and he's one of the few highly paid players on their team that actually has value. What you're proposing is completely different. Both Lee and Aramis have NTC, presumably, because they like being in Chicago. I also presume that they believe the team will win this year. So why would they want to waive it before the season starts? However, if the trade deadline rolls around, and we're in third place, isn't it possible that Lee want to finish the season somewhere that has a chance at winning? Just because he is due for free agency doesn't mean he has 0 value. If, for example, the White Sox are battling for the AL Central and they're looking for another bat, DLee would be a great fit for them and I bet we could get some value for him. I don't understand why people are so set on giving up on the season before it's even started just because our offseason has been poor.

[Backtobanks]

I think the Cubs should be realistic and examine not only trading Z, but also Lee and ARam.

 

Amazing that any Cub fan would want to go back to the days of always losing again. Trading the core of the current team when they still have a good chance would be ignorant. The farm system is starting to produce again on its own, and the Cubs have absolutely no reason to shed that much payroll in the market they are in.

 

I would much rather perfer that they try to win this year.

 

The next contracts that DLee and Aram sign will be bad contracts. There is also a possibility it will not be with the Cubs after next year. I also think the rebuild is inevitable, so why not get it started now. Also, what are you trying to win? Division? NL? WS? I think the division is the only reasonable goal with this team.

 

I dont think the Cubs will do it.

So the playoffs are a crapshoot for every team but the Cubs? The Cubs farm system has made major strides over the past year but it's nowhere near close being able to anchor a rebuilding team. Castro is never going to be a middle of the order hitter and Vitter won't be for quite a while (though I personally doubt he ever will). Our pitching prospects are all projected to be #2 and #3 starters. As for trading Z, Lee and Ramirez, they all have NTC's so you're not going to get maximum value for them anyways. Teams that do firesales are teams that know they won't be able to resign their players on the open market AND won't be able to sign an adequate replacement on the open market so they try to maximize value by trading players as early as possible. That's not the position the Cubs are in, and there's no reason not to wait to trade them until the trading deadline if we're out of it.

Lee will have 0 value at the Deadline. I would imagine that for Lee adn Aram to waive their NTC they would have to be extended by the teams that are going to trade for them. As I have said their next contracts will probably be bad contracts. So if the Cubs used some sense they would jettison them now for what would probably be not great return. However, the payroll relief may allow for close to equal talent in the FA market next year that may be younger. This is basically the same route the Tigers took in trading Granderson. In the case of Zambrano it may be better to wait until the deadline. He would really have to tank to lower his trade value. He may improve his trade value by pitching well though.

I personally dont believe that the playoffs are a crapshoot. I do believe that the shortness of the postseason does make it easy for lessor teams to win. However I think the better teams win more often then not.

 

I don't know what you're smoking, but to say DLee will have 0 value at the deadline is crazy. I'm sure nobody would pay much for a 1B with a .970 OPS. :pig:

[Guancous]

Lee will have 0 value at the Deadline. I would imagine that for Lee adn Aram to waive their NTC they would have to be extended by the teams that are going to trade for them. As I have said their next contracts will probably be bad contracts. So if the Cubs used some sense they would jettison them now for what would probably be not great return. However, the payroll relief may allow for close to equal talent in the FA market next year that may be younger. This is basically the same route the Tigers took in trading Granderson. In the case of Zambrano it may be better to wait until the deadline. He would really have to tank to lower his trade value. He may improve his trade value by pitching well though.

I personally dont believe that the playoffs are a crapshoot. I do believe that the shortness of the postseason does make it easy for lessor teams to win. However I think the better teams win more often then not.

 

I don't know what you're smoking, but to say DLee will have 0 value at the deadline is crazy. I'm sure nobody would pay much for a 1B with a .970 OPS. :pig:

 

Absolutely. Lee is more desirable than, say, a late career Fred McGriff. He can push any AL 1B to the DH slot as an offensive and defensive upgrade. This isn't even factoring injuries to other players. Of course, there's the matter of that pesky NTC.