Can we just move Zambrano back into the rotation already.

[jersey cubs fan]

Go ahead and move him back into the rotation if you want. Not sure it will make much difference most days, when we struggle to tally 2 runs. But go ahead.

 

I think I'd rather start looking to trade him, as jacey and jcf suggest.

 

Seriously?

 

Whoops, looks like I misread Jersey's post. But yes -- actually I don't see why anyone should be off the table.

 

Taking him off the table has nothing to do with it, you can't trade a pitcher with a huge contract for any sort of value when you handling him the way the Cubs are handling Zambrano.

 

Teams won't understand that Z is still strong starter material just because Lou decided to put him in the pen?

 

I don't buy that.

Did I say that?

[jyoung55]

This thread has turned to shear brilliant unintentional comedy. Brightened my day.

[C.C.]

This situation is really depressing the crap out me!!! Ugh!

[snoodmonger]

If Z were as good as people claim, he wouldn't need to pitch in games to win them.

[Sosa21MVP]

This situation is really depressing the crap out me!!! Ugh!

 

Yes it is painful. But thank goodness the Cubs bullpen is solid now! :pig:

[E.J.]

Another solid inning of work from Z today. This relief thing is really working out well.

 

On another note, Pat and Ron said on the radio broadcast that Z was topping out at 84mph. Is Z hurt?

[Guest]

Another solid inning of work from Z today. This relief thing is really working out well.

 

On another note, Pat and Ron said on the radio broadcast that Z was topping out at 84mph. Is Z hurt?

 

Gameday has his sinker ranging from 88-93, which sounds normal to me.

[Careless]

Another solid inning of work from Z today. This relief thing is really working out well.

 

On another note, Pat and Ron said on the radio broadcast that Z was topping out at 84mph. Is Z hurt?

Len and Bob said he hit 90 once. Either way, doesn't sound good

edit: pitchf/x data has his FB averaging over 91

[treebird]

the theory that z is hurt and the cubs know it and are trying to get what they can from him this season is gaining strength.

 

given the contract, however, that had better not be the case.

 

EDITED because i'm a moron

[USSoccer]

I will say that watching him today he looked like he was throwing incredibly slowly, and looked completely uncomfortable even warming up.

 

Not that my eyes are super scout eyes or anything, but fwiw.

[Sammy Sofa]

the theory that z is hurt and the cubs know it and are trying to get what they can from him this season is gaining strength.

 

given the contract, however, that had better not be the case.

 

EDITED because i'm a moron

 

Given the contract that doesn't make any [expletive] sense.

[Sammy Sofa]

What's most likely is that he's NOT A [expletive] A RELIEVER and can't handle the workload. Weird how that happens. The guy has trouble not cramping up or having tightness or whatever when he has 5 days between starts, so how the hell did they ever expect him to stay in "setup shape?"

[bleedingblue]

I will say that watching him today he looked like he was throwing incredibly slowly, and looked completely uncomfortable even warming up.

 

Not that my eyes are super scout eyes or anything, but fwiw.

 

He probably doesn't care.

 

If I was Z, I would have asked for the first train/plane out of Chicago if they would have asked me to go to the bullpen for Gorz/Silva.

[jersey cubs fan]

the theory that z is hurt and the cubs know it and are trying to get what they can from him this season is gaining strength.

 

given the contract, however, that had better not be the case.

 

EDITED because i'm a moron

 

Given the contract that doesn't make any [expletive] sense.

 

Yeah, given the contract, the only possible thing that would make sense would be pissing him off to the point where he accepts a trade, but that would involve Hendry screwing over another team in a trade, and I think he's staked his reputation on not ever doing that. Given the contract, they would have to shut him down immediately to try and salvage the last couple years.

[Keener98]

8th inning, 1 run lead, why is Z in the dugout?

[17 Seconds]

whatever. i want this season to get as ugly as possible

[Keener98]

LMFAO now Z is a long reliever. Un [expletive] real

[chasinf5s]

Z going back to the rotation, that is pretty much what lou just said without having to say he messed up

[FergieJ31]

Lou was as cryptic as ever there. Z will be back in the rotation by June 1. There is no effin way El Toro accepted a long relief role.

[Keener98]

Z going back to the rotation, that is pretty much what lou just said without having to say he messed up

 

Yea thats what its leading up too, but its hilarious watching Lou dance around the questions. Now its time to speculate on the starter heading to the pen once Z is stretched out. Hmmm Silva would make the most sense so its not him. Im going with Demp because hes "done it before".hahahaha this season is setting up perfectly for a complete comedy show.

[bleedingblue]

Lou was as cryptic as ever there. Z will be back in the rotation by June 1. There is no effin way El Toro accepted a long relief role.

 

Probably for some other team.

[J.R.]

WTH is going on

[davell]

Mount Z is due for a serious eruption at any point honestly. And if this is truly just a move to becoming a mop up guy and not getting him ready to move back to the rotation, then I figure this one will be off the Richter scale.

[MWV]

There must be a transaction in the works. Lou was very vague/evasive, even by Lou standards. I'm guessing one of our SPs is traded shortly.

[NCCubFan]

The ONLY way Lou can be allowed to move Z to long relief without losing his job is if it is just a short-term move to get him stretched back out for a move back to the rotation. The pending trade theory seems like the most logical explanation.