If the Cubs were sellers right now

[Little Slide Rooter]

A few Cubs rumblings from ESPN's Bruce Levine...

 

•Yankees scouts watched Carlos Zambrano pitch on the Cubs' recent road trip, writes Levine. Levine notes that these were not advance scouts, but rather top advisers to GM Brian Cashman. Hopefully they saw his start against the Cardinals rather than the Phillies. Levine is of the opinion Zambrano would waive his no-trade clause, as a friend of the pitcher told him earlier this month, "At this point Carlos would probably let the Cubs trade him to Siberia." As a 4.50 ERA guy in the National League with clubhouse concerns and over $28MM remaining on his contract through 2012, Zambrano would be a tough sell for any team.

•Some of the Yankees top evaluators have more interest in Ryan Dempster, reports Levine, as you might expect. They'll get a look at him Saturday afternoon at Wrigley Field. Dempster has $7.7MM remaining on his contract this year, as well as a $14MM player option for 2012. He also has full no-trade rights and strong ties to Chicago.

 

I personally wouldnt be an any rush to trade either of these guys without a significant return.

[davearm2]

A few Cubs rumblings from ESPN's Bruce Levine...

 

•Yankees scouts watched Carlos Zambrano pitch on the Cubs' recent road trip, writes Levine. Levine notes that these were not advance scouts, but rather top advisers to GM Brian Cashman. Hopefully they saw his start against the Cardinals rather than the Phillies. Levine is of the opinion Zambrano would waive his no-trade clause, as a friend of the pitcher told him earlier this month, "At this point Carlos would probably let the Cubs trade him to Siberia." As a 4.50 ERA guy in the National League with clubhouse concerns and over $28MM remaining on his contract through 2012, Zambrano would be a tough sell for any team.

•Some of the Yankees top evaluators have more interest in Ryan Dempster, reports Levine, as you might expect. They'll get a look at him Saturday afternoon at Wrigley Field. Dempster has $7.7MM remaining on his contract this year, as well as a $14MM player option for 2012. He also has full no-trade rights and strong ties to Chicago.

 

I personally wouldnt be an any rush to trade either of these guys without a significant return.

Yep trading either of those guys signals a rebuild mode. Otherwise, you have to go out and find a similar pitcher, for similar money, on the free agent market this offseason. Doesn't make a lot of sense.

 

And I doubt they go the rebuild route.

[KingCubsFan]

A few Cubs rumblings from ESPN's Bruce Levine...

 

•Yankees scouts watched Carlos Zambrano pitch on the Cubs' recent road trip, writes Levine. Levine notes that these were not advance scouts, but rather top advisers to GM Brian Cashman. Hopefully they saw his start against the Cardinals rather than the Phillies. Levine is of the opinion Zambrano would waive his no-trade clause, as a friend of the pitcher told him earlier this month, "At this point Carlos would probably let the Cubs trade him to Siberia." As a 4.50 ERA guy in the National League with clubhouse concerns and over $28MM remaining on his contract through 2012, Zambrano would be a tough sell for any team.

•Some of the Yankees top evaluators have more interest in Ryan Dempster, reports Levine, as you might expect. They'll get a look at him Saturday afternoon at Wrigley Field. Dempster has $7.7MM remaining on his contract this year, as well as a $14MM player option for 2012. He also has full no-trade rights and strong ties to Chicago.

 

I personally wouldnt be an any rush to trade either of these guys without a significant return.

Yep trading either of those guys signals a rebuild mode. Otherwise, you have to go out and find a similar pitcher, for similar money, on the free agent market this offseason. Doesn't make a lot of sense.

 

And I doubt they go the rebuild route.

You're going to need to pay $18 million for a guy with Zambrano's numbers?

[mookie]

I think Zambrano's mental makeup would be a nice fit for the Yankees. However, it all comes down to return for me. I wonder if we would get anything beyond salary relief.

[SouthSideRyan]

A few Cubs rumblings from ESPN's Bruce Levine...

 

•Yankees scouts watched Carlos Zambrano pitch on the Cubs' recent road trip, writes Levine. Levine notes that these were not advance scouts, but rather top advisers to GM Brian Cashman. Hopefully they saw his start against the Cardinals rather than the Phillies. Levine is of the opinion Zambrano would waive his no-trade clause, as a friend of the pitcher told him earlier this month, "At this point Carlos would probably let the Cubs trade him to Siberia." As a 4.50 ERA guy in the National League with clubhouse concerns and over $28MM remaining on his contract through 2012, Zambrano would be a tough sell for any team.

•Some of the Yankees top evaluators have more interest in Ryan Dempster, reports Levine, as you might expect. They'll get a look at him Saturday afternoon at Wrigley Field. Dempster has $7.7MM remaining on his contract this year, as well as a $14MM player option for 2012. He also has full no-trade rights and strong ties to Chicago.

 

I personally wouldnt be an any rush to trade either of these guys without a significant return.

Yep trading either of those guys signals a rebuild mode. Otherwise, you have to go out and find a similar pitcher, for similar money, on the free agent market this offseason. Doesn't make a lot of sense.

 

And I doubt they go the rebuild route.

You're going to need to pay $18 million for a guy with Zambrano's numbers?

 

If Z's #s stay where they are, then certainly not, if he gets back to the level he's been at the past 4-5 years, he's barely overpaid.

[davearm2]

A few Cubs rumblings from ESPN's Bruce Levine...

 

•Yankees scouts watched Carlos Zambrano pitch on the Cubs' recent road trip, writes Levine. Levine notes that these were not advance scouts, but rather top advisers to GM Brian Cashman. Hopefully they saw his start against the Cardinals rather than the Phillies. Levine is of the opinion Zambrano would waive his no-trade clause, as a friend of the pitcher told him earlier this month, "At this point Carlos would probably let the Cubs trade him to Siberia." As a 4.50 ERA guy in the National League with clubhouse concerns and over $28MM remaining on his contract through 2012, Zambrano would be a tough sell for any team.

•Some of the Yankees top evaluators have more interest in Ryan Dempster, reports Levine, as you might expect. They'll get a look at him Saturday afternoon at Wrigley Field. Dempster has $7.7MM remaining on his contract this year, as well as a $14MM player option for 2012. He also has full no-trade rights and strong ties to Chicago.

 

I personally wouldnt be an any rush to trade either of these guys without a significant return.

Yep trading either of those guys signals a rebuild mode. Otherwise, you have to go out and find a similar pitcher, for similar money, on the free agent market this offseason. Doesn't make a lot of sense.

 

And I doubt they go the rebuild route.

You're going to need to pay $18 million for a guy with Zambrano's numbers?

Sure you could get a guy with Zambrano's 2011 numbers for less, but then you'd still suck.

 

You'd pay in the neighborhood of $18M for a legit #1-3 starter -- more for a true ace, less for a solid #3. That's what the Cubs would be needing to replace... a guy that can front the rotation (or at least be 1b).

[Little Slide Rooter]

A few Cubs rumblings from ESPN's Bruce Levine...

 

•Yankees scouts watched Carlos Zambrano pitch on the Cubs' recent road trip, writes Levine. Levine notes that these were not advance scouts, but rather top advisers to GM Brian Cashman. Hopefully they saw his start against the Cardinals rather than the Phillies. Levine is of the opinion Zambrano would waive his no-trade clause, as a friend of the pitcher told him earlier this month, "At this point Carlos would probably let the Cubs trade him to Siberia." As a 4.50 ERA guy in the National League with clubhouse concerns and over $28MM remaining on his contract through 2012, Zambrano would be a tough sell for any team.

•Some of the Yankees top evaluators have more interest in Ryan Dempster, reports Levine, as you might expect. They'll get a look at him Saturday afternoon at Wrigley Field. Dempster has $7.7MM remaining on his contract this year, as well as a $14MM player option for 2012. He also has full no-trade rights and strong ties to Chicago.

 

I personally wouldnt be an any rush to trade either of these guys without a significant return.

Yep trading either of those guys signals a rebuild mode. Otherwise, you have to go out and find a similar pitcher, for similar money, on the free agent market this offseason. Doesn't make a lot of sense.

 

And I doubt they go the rebuild route.

You're going to need to pay $18 million for a guy with Zambrano's numbers?

 

If Z's #s stay where they are, then certainly not, if he gets back to the level he's been at the past 4-5 years, he's barely overpaid.

 

It futile to try and convince your average Cubs fan that Z is anything more than an overpaid 4 starter.

[Sammy Sofa]

It futile to try and convince your average Cubs fan that Z is anything more than an overpaid 4 starter.

 

Pretty much. The general thinking seems to be that since he's not an ace then he's a bum. There's no in-between.

[Outshined_One]

I'm curious as to what Zambrano's value would be in the AL. Considering how good his bat is for a pitcher, I'd have to think the Cubs should get a better return for Z from an NL team than an AL team.

 

Still, it would be nice to pry Sanchez or Montero from the Yankees...

[Little Slide Rooter]

I'm curious as to what Zambrano's value would be in the AL. Considering how good his bat is for a pitcher, I'd have to think the Cubs should get a better return for Z from an NL team than an AL team.

 

Still, it would be nice to pry Sanchez or Montero from the Yankees...

 

I mentioned this in another thread a while back, bur I wonder if Z and Soto for Momtero and a few other prospects would work.

[Guest]

Is "a few other prospects" how you say Cano? The Cubs are not 5 years from contention, they have no need to hemorrhage value from the MLB roster.

[Illini Iceman]

I'm curious as to what Zambrano's value would be in the AL. Considering how good his bat is for a pitcher, I'd have to think the Cubs should get a better return for Z from an NL team than an AL team.

 

Still, it would be nice to pry Sanchez or Montero from the Yankees...

 

I mentioned this in another thread a while back, bur I wonder if Z and Soto for Momtero and a few other prospects would work.

 

Not for the Yankees

[Elrhino]

I hope the front office is more concerned about getting $18 million a year for a mediocre starter with a ton of innings on his arm off the books than proving a point to hypothetical average Cubs fan.

 

Pretty sure if Z were to hit the market this offseason, he's not approaching $18 million a year.

[Sammy Sofa]

I hope the front office is more concerned about getting $18 million a year for a mediocre starter with a ton of innings on his arm off the books than proving a point to hypothetical average Cubs fan.

 

Pretty sure if Z were to hit the market this offseason, he's not approaching $18 million a year.

 

Zambrano's a mediocre starter only if his numbers right now are indicative of how he'll end up at the end of the season and going forward. You're the "hypothetical average Cubs fan" since you've apparently convinced yourself that he's mediocre and you think his production is easily replaced.

[Backtobanks]

I'm curious as to what Zambrano's value would be in the AL. Considering how good his bat is for a pitcher, I'd have to think the Cubs should get a better return for Z from an NL team than an AL team.

 

Still, it would be nice to pry Sanchez or Montero from the Yankees...

 

I mentioned this in another thread a while back, bur I wonder if Z and Soto for Momtero and a few other prospects would work.

 

 

I'm curious as to what Zambrano's value would be in the AL. Considering how good his bat is for a pitcher, I'd have to think the Cubs should get a better return for Z from an NL team than an AL team.

 

Still, it would be nice to pry Sanchez or Montero from the Yankees...

 

I mentioned this in another thread a while back, bur I wonder if Z and Soto for Momtero and a few other prospects would work.

 

Not for the Yankees

 

Proof that Hendry isn't as bad as some of you think. Z & Soto for Montero and prospects #-o #-o #-o #-o

[Little Slide Rooter]

I'm curious as to what Zambrano's value would be in the AL. Considering how good his bat is for a pitcher, I'd have to think the Cubs should get a better return for Z from an NL team than an AL team.

 

Still, it would be nice to pry Sanchez or Montero from the Yankees...

 

I mentioned this in another thread a while back, bur I wonder if Z and Soto for Momtero and a few other prospects would work.

 

 

I'm curious as to what Zambrano's value would be in the AL. Considering how good his bat is for a pitcher, I'd have to think the Cubs should get a better return for Z from an NL team than an AL team.

 

Still, it would be nice to pry Sanchez or Montero from the Yankees...

 

I mentioned this in another thread a while back, bur I wonder if Z and Soto for Momtero and a few other prospects would work.

 

Not for the Yankees

 

Proof that Hendry isn't as bad as some of you think. Z & Soto for Montero and prospects #-o #-o #-o #-o

 

Interesting how there are 2 negative responses to that proposal, one saying it sucks for the Yankees one saying it sucks for us.

 

I dont see the problem with it. The Yankees get a front of the rotation pitcher with 2 more years under team control which theyve been in desperate need of. They also get a major league ready catcher, and a good one at that with Posada near the end and Russell Martin questionable. We get a top catching prospect and hopefully a few other decent pieces. If were not quite ready to call up Montero immediately, than use Castillo as a bandaid.

 

Is "a few other prospects" how you say Cano? The Cubs are not 5 years from contention, they have no need to hemorrhage value from the MLB roster.

 

How far is Montero away from the big leagues? I dont want to trade Z, but if we must, then Monteros the guy to target. He should be ready to replace Geo in the next year or 2 and use Castillo as a bandaid until then.

[davell]

Defensively, Montero is a question mark, but his bat is ready right now.

[Guest]

Defensively, Montero is a question mark, but his bat is ready right now.

 

He has a .759 OPS at AAA. Obviously he's a desirable target, but if we're trading away a pair of 3 win players, I certainly want more back than Montero's questions about catcher defense and 1B viability.

[Backtobanks]

Defensively, Montero is a question mark, but his bat is ready right now.

 

He has a .759 OPS at AAA. Obviously he's a desirable target, but if we're trading away a pair of 3 win players, I certainly want more back than Montero's questions about catcher defense and 1B viability.

 

Amen to that. Don't forget that Zambrano and Soto are in the prime of their careers (30 & 28). Montero plus a prospect for Zambrano is a possibility with Soto being traded in a seperate deal later on after seeing whether Castillo and/or Montero are reasonable replacements.

[NOLA]

Yep trading either of those guys signals a rebuild mode.

 

Are we not in rebuild mode? If not, then why not? Maybe it signals that everyone is being evaluated for jobs next year.

 

I love Z, and I personally think he is much more than a #4 starter, but if the Cubs could get some value for him they have to do it. We have the 2nd worst record in baseball. There are plenty of holes to fill on this team and unfortunately you have to trade value to get value.

[Little Slide Rooter]

Yep trading either of those guys signals a rebuild mode.

 

Are we not in rebuild mode? If not, then why not? Maybe it signals that everyone is being evaluated for jobs next year.

 

I love Z, and I personally think he is much more than a #4 starter, but if the Cubs could get some value for him they have to do it. We have the 2nd worst record in baseball. There are plenty of holes to fill on this team and unfortunately you have to trade value to get value.

 

And trading Z creates another hole which is why Im in the dont trade Z camp.

[NOLA]

Yep trading either of those guys signals a rebuild mode.

 

Are we not in rebuild mode? If not, then why not? Maybe it signals that everyone is being evaluated for jobs next year.

 

I love Z, and I personally think he is much more than a #4 starter, but if the Cubs could get some value for him they have to do it. We have the 2nd worst record in baseball. There are plenty of holes to fill on this team and unfortunately you have to trade value to get value.

 

And trading Z creates another hole which is why Im in the dont trade Z camp.

 

Again, it depends on what the Cubs would get back. If it were a good deal, I say they have to do it. Losing Z does create a hole, but that production at that salary? If the right deal with a contender is there, get some value back and use that salary on something else. I just don't think Z being paid $18M next year is what a terrible team should do. I like it ONLY if they get a good deal.

[dew1679666265]

Yep trading either of those guys signals a rebuild mode.

 

Are we not in rebuild mode? If not, then why not? Maybe it signals that everyone is being evaluated for jobs next year.

 

I love Z, and I personally think he is much more than a #4 starter, but if the Cubs could get some value for him they have to do it. We have the 2nd worst record in baseball. There are plenty of holes to fill on this team and unfortunately you have to trade value to get value.

 

A team with the resources and payroll of the Cubs never needs to enter a full rebuild mode where you trade all the veterans you can, get a bunch of prospects back and go really young for 2-3 years while kids develop.

 

We do have the 2nd worst record in baseball, but they also have a $130 million payroll, $60 million coming off the books this offseason and one of the greatest players in the history of the game possibly sitting on the FA market after the season. There's no reason the Cubs shouldn't be able to turn the record around quickly with some good, smart moves in the offseason but trading Z makes it harder. If we can get some really good value for him, then that's a different story, but I wouldn't trade him for whatever we can or for minimal value just to get his money off the books or to add some youth.

[NOLA]

If we can get some really good value for him, then that's a different story, but I wouldn't trade him for whatever we can or for minimal value just to get his money off the books or to add some youth.

 

Agreed. I almost commented on the rest of your post, but then I would be sucked into the Pujols discussion again and I won't allow that to happen today. 8-)

[Outshined_One]

The main problem with trading Zambrano is that his value to the Cubs is much higher than it would be for any team trading for him. My guess is that, in order for Zambrano to waive his NTC, the team acquiring him would have to pick up his $19.25m option for 2013 to be picked up. In other words, the Cubs would have to kick in a decent amount of money in order to get anything of value back.

 

The stars just don't seem aligned for a Zambrano trade. I know the Cubs will shop him at the deadline, but I just have a hard time seeing them get a good return considering Zambrano's value would decrease in the AL if he can't hit and considering the way his contract is structured.