Zambrano says he is retiring

[J.R.]

Sosa has reached out to Z. Class act.

[ConstableRabbit]

http://www.csnchicago.com/pages/video?PID=6cLLTB-n4dNIzZx4IL0CcAisZKicNt_srXtZkjy

 

This is the full interview with @TheKapMan.

 

I actually feel really bad for Z after listening to this.

 

"If I want to hit him, I hit him! I don't want to hit anyone with splitters, or sliders, or coh-ders. Who wants to hit someone with those pitches??"

 

Fantastic.

 

The look on Kaplan's face at the end when Zambrano screwed up his name was priceless.

 

Fixed. :D

 

I love Z

[UMFan83]

Sosa has reached out to Z. Class act.

 

He's probably trying to make the Cubs believe he is helping with a problem player so the Cubs will forgive Sosa and retire his number.

[DivineBovine]

Good for the Cubs. Save $3 million bucks.

 

I couldn't care less of what Zambrano did. I'm fine with a player actually being upset with how he's playing. He's making $18 million a year, and he's pissed off enough with his play that he would actually cost himself some serious dough. Better than Soriano being perfectly content to cash the check he doesn't deserve. Screw this "quitting on the team" bulls@#t. The team sucks. At least Zambrano realizes it. Nobody else seems to.

 

Any excuse for this team to save some money. Spare us this "Zambrano quit on us" crap. We know better than this. It's about the money, and the embarassment. But the Cubs should be embarassed at how they've played.

 

And good for Quade for proving he lead the team to meaningless wins. Great.

 

As you can see, I'm bitter.

[Keener98]

And now Brenly gives his 2 cents on Z. Shockingly Big Z is not his favorite player...

 

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/chi-brenly-big-z-has-gotten-better-only-at-being-selfish-20110815,0,4411626.story

[Sammy Sofa]

Better than Soriano being perfectly content to cash the check he doesn't deserve.

 

Golden.

[jersey cubs fan]

Any excuse for this team to save some money. Spare us this "Zambrano quit on us" crap. We know better than this. It's about the money, and the embarassment. But the Cubs should be embarassed at how they've played.

 

I think it's about finding the right scapegoat. Sometimes the goat presents itself, sometimes you have to go out hunting for one. This is easier.

[Post Count Padder]

Tim Dierkes of MLBTR posted his thoughts on this, along with few somewhat feasible trade possibilities:

 

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2011/08/unloading-carlos-zambrano.html

[Little Slide Rooter]

Tim Dierkes of MLBTR posted his thoughts on this, along with few somewhat feasible trade possibilities:

 

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2011/08/unloading-carlos-zambrano.html

 

The only one that doesn't make me sick to my stomach is the Adam Dunn proposal. Sure, I'd prefer Fielder or Pujols, but if they don't plan on spending the money, I'd much prefer Dunn over Carlos Pena, despite Dunns 2011 numbers. A return to playing the field, the NL, and Wrigley Field could be just what the big guy needs, plus Z reportedly has a great relationship with Ozzie Guillen.

[davearm2]

Tim Dierkes of MLBTR posted his thoughts on this, along with few somewhat feasible trade possibilities:

 

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2011/08/unloading-carlos-zambrano.html

 

The only one that doesn't make me sick to my stomach is the Adam Dunn proposal. Sure, I'd prefer Fielder or Pujols, but if they don't plan on spending the money, I'd much prefer Dunn over Carlos Pena, despite Dunns 2011 numbers. A return to playing the field, the NL, and Wrigley Field could be just what the big guy needs, plus Z reportedly has a great relationship with Ozzie Guillen.

You should be sick to your stomach already. All of those trades seem better than the alternative, which is to release Z. This thing is now beyond the kiss-and-make-up stage.

[erik316wttn]

Tim Dierkes of MLBTR posted his thoughts on this, along with few somewhat feasible trade possibilities:

 

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2011/08/unloading-carlos-zambrano.html

 

The only one that doesn't make me sick to my stomach is the Adam Dunn proposal. Sure, I'd prefer Fielder or Pujols, but if they don't plan on spending the money, I'd much prefer Dunn over Carlos Pena, despite Dunns 2011 numbers. A return to playing the field, the NL, and Wrigley Field could be just what the big guy needs, plus Z reportedly has a great relationship with Ozzie Guillen.

You should be sick to your stomach already. All of those trades seem better than the alternative, which is to release Z. This thing is now beyond the kiss-and-make-up stage.

 

I just can't see a silver lining here. Sure, miracles can happen, but what GM in his right mind is going to give us anything of value and/or pick up a good chunk of his salary? I don't think we release him and just outright eat all that money, but it's not like trading him is going to be a hell of a lot better.

[davearm2]

Tim Dierkes of MLBTR posted his thoughts on this, along with few somewhat feasible trade possibilities:

 

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2011/08/unloading-carlos-zambrano.html

 

The only one that doesn't make me sick to my stomach is the Adam Dunn proposal. Sure, I'd prefer Fielder or Pujols, but if they don't plan on spending the money, I'd much prefer Dunn over Carlos Pena, despite Dunns 2011 numbers. A return to playing the field, the NL, and Wrigley Field could be just what the big guy needs, plus Z reportedly has a great relationship with Ozzie Guillen.

You should be sick to your stomach already. All of those trades seem better than the alternative, which is to release Z. This thing is now beyond the kiss-and-make-up stage.

 

I just can't see a silver lining here. Sure, miracles can happen, but what GM in his right mind is going to give us anything of value and/or pick up a good chunk of his salary? I don't think we release him and just outright eat all that money, but it's not like trading him is going to be a hell of a lot better.

Of course there's no silver lining. It's all about damage minimization now. Some sort of trade is the path to achieving that. Releasing him maximizes the damage.

[Little Slide Rooter]

Tim Dierkes of MLBTR posted his thoughts on this, along with few somewhat feasible trade possibilities:

 

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2011/08/unloading-carlos-zambrano.html

 

The only one that doesn't make me sick to my stomach is the Adam Dunn proposal. Sure, I'd prefer Fielder or Pujols, but if they don't plan on spending the money, I'd much prefer Dunn over Carlos Pena, despite Dunns 2011 numbers. A return to playing the field, the NL, and Wrigley Field could be just what the big guy needs, plus Z reportedly has a great relationship with Ozzie Guillen.

You should be sick to your stomach already. All of those trades seem better than the alternative, which is to release Z. This thing is now beyond the kiss-and-make-up stage.

 

I just can't see a silver lining here. Sure, miracles can happen, but what GM in his right mind is going to give us anything of value and/or pick up a good chunk of his salary? I don't think we release him and just outright eat all that money, but it's not like trading him is going to be a hell of a lot better.

 

Of course there's no silver lining. It's all about damage minimization now. Some sort of trade is the path to achieving that. Releasing him maximizes the damage.

 

[expletive] that. If the Cubs are paying him 18 mil next year, unless we get some good prospects or a decent big league player for him, he damn well better be pitching for us, whether he's a middle of the rotation starter or a middle reliever. I personally don't buy into the clubhouse cancer nonsense. As I've said before, whether you're a multi million dollar athlete or making minimum wage at Hardees, you're bound to work with guys you don't like, but there's no excuse for it to affect your performance at work.

[Tarver]

Tim Dierkes of MLBTR posted his thoughts on this, along with few somewhat feasible trade possibilities:

 

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2011/08/unloading-carlos-zambrano.html

 

The only one that doesn't make me sick to my stomach is the Adam Dunn proposal. Sure, I'd prefer Fielder or Pujols, but if they don't plan on spending the money, I'd much prefer Dunn over Carlos Pena, despite Dunns 2011 numbers. A return to playing the field, the NL, and Wrigley Field could be just what the big guy needs, plus Z reportedly has a great relationship with Ozzie Guillen.

You should be sick to your stomach already. All of those trades seem better than the alternative, which is to release Z. This thing is now beyond the kiss-and-make-up stage.

 

I just can't see a silver lining here. Sure, miracles can happen, but what GM in his right mind is going to give us anything of value and/or pick up a good chunk of his salary? I don't think we release him and just outright eat all that money, but it's not like trading him is going to be a hell of a lot better.

 

Of course there's no silver lining. It's all about damage minimization now. Some sort of trade is the path to achieving that. Releasing him maximizes the damage.

 

[expletive] that. If the Cubs are paying him 18 mil next year, unless we get some good prospects or a decent big league player for him, he damn well better be pitching for us, whether he's a middle of the rotation starter or a middle reliever. I personally don't buy into the clubhouse cancer nonsense. As I've said before, whether you're a multi million dollar athlete or making minimum wage at Hardees, you're bound to work with guys you don't like, but there's no excuse for it to affect your performance at work.

 

Getting along with teammates is secondary. If you're continually insubordinate to management, if you're on probation and violate it, you'll be canned, at Hardees or wherever.

[WrigleyField 22]

Yea, its one thing to not get along with the guy flipping burgers next to you, its another thing when the guy next to you breaks the flipper over his leg everytime he burns a patty and now just walked out the last time it happened.

 

but there's no excuse for it to affect your performance at work

You could use that exact quote to talk about Z and his emotions. He has passed the point of his emotions outweighing his work performance. If this was 2005 Z, I'd be inclined to still defend his presence on the team, but at this point, its kind of like "whatever". That 18M might as well be a sunk cost for next year.

 

Anyways I'm fine with any trade that doesn't extend financial commitment past 2012 or increase cost for 2012. My hope would basically just to be expense nuetral.

[jersey cubs fan]

I don't understand the silly notion that they are past the point of no return. There's no reason why they can't make up again. It was stupid to pay him to go away before and it's stupid now. The guy talked about retirement in private and changed his mind within hours. You can't force a guy to retire. You can't force him to take a buyout. The Cubs are on the hook.

[CubColtPacer]

I don't understand the silly notion that they are past the point of no return. There's no reason why they can't make up again. It was stupid to pay him to go away before and it's stupid now. The guy talked about retirement in private and changed his mind within hours. You can't force a guy to retire. You can't force him to take a buyout. The Cubs are on the hook.

 

I think the only question is the fanbase. The Cubs might decide that the hit to the fanbase from keeping Zambrano is worth more to them than the amount that Z can give you on the field. Otherwise there's no reason why they couldn't make up again.

[jersey cubs fan]

I don't understand the silly notion that they are past the point of no return. There's no reason why they can't make up again. It was stupid to pay him to go away before and it's stupid now. The guy talked about retirement in private and changed his mind within hours. You can't force a guy to retire. You can't force him to take a buyout. The Cubs are on the hook.

 

I think the only question is the fanbase. The Cubs might decide that the hit to the fanbase from keeping Zambrano is worth more to them than the amount that Z can give you on the field. Otherwise there's no reason why they couldn't make up again.

 

I don't even know what that possible hit could be. Zambrano's presence isn't going to create a net loss in revenue.

[Ding Dong Johnson]

I don't understand the silly notion that they are past the point of no return. There's no reason why they can't make up again. It was stupid to pay him to go away before and it's stupid now. The guy talked about retirement in private and changed his mind within hours. You can't force a guy to retire. You can't force him to take a buyout. The Cubs are on the hook.

 

I think the only question is the fanbase. The Cubs might decide that the hit to the fanbase from keeping Zambrano is worth more to them than the amount that Z can give you on the field. Otherwise there's no reason why they couldn't make up again.

You think keeping Z will drive away fans en masse?

[CubColtPacer]

I don't understand the silly notion that they are past the point of no return. There's no reason why they can't make up again. It was stupid to pay him to go away before and it's stupid now. The guy talked about retirement in private and changed his mind within hours. You can't force a guy to retire. You can't force him to take a buyout. The Cubs are on the hook.

 

I think the only question is the fanbase. The Cubs might decide that the hit to the fanbase from keeping Zambrano is worth more to them than the amount that Z can give you on the field. Otherwise there's no reason why they couldn't make up again.

You think keeping Z will drive away fans en masse?

 

En masse? No. But it will probably reinforce the belief that seems to have developed that the Cubs don't have any standards for their players. That belief is probably not true, but perception means so much for marketing. With Z gone, they can say they're going with a fresh start and sell some more tickets.

 

I've seen a fanbase finally turn on a team because of character issues, and it's not pretty. Once those fans leave, you will never get some of them back. That is different from fans leaving because of perpretually losing, because they will usually come back when the team starts winning again.

[dew1679666265]

Getting along with teammates is secondary. If you're continually insubordinate to management, if you're on probation and violate it, you'll be canned, at Hardees or wherever.

 

But should the Cubs only hurt themselves by outright releasing Z or trading him without any real compensation? If they cut Z, they have to eat the entire $18 million and Z gets his entire paycheck. You're not hurting Z in any way by cutting him - on the contrary, you're giving him the opportunity to make even more money by cashing his check from the Cubs and going out to look for more work.

 

In cutting Z, the only party that's hurt is the Cubs because they have no extra payroll space but have a new hole in the rotation to be filled. The only smart business decision for the Cubs at this point is to keep Z and let him pitch, unless they can find a way out of a decent portion of his contract.

[SouthSideRyan]

Yea, its one thing to not get along with the guy flipping burgers next to you, its another thing when the guy next to you breaks the flipper over his leg everytime he burns a patty and now just walked out the last time it happened.

 

but there's no excuse for it to affect your performance at work

You could use that exact quote to talk about Z and his emotions. He has passed the point of his emotions outweighing his work performance. If this was 2005 Z, I'd be inclined to still defend his presence on the team, but at this point, its kind of like "whatever". That 18M might as well be a sunk cost for next year.

 

Anyways I'm fine with any trade that doesn't extend financial commitment past 2012 or increase cost for 2012. My hope would basically just to be expense nuetral.

 

If Hardee's had a burger flipper making 18M, I'm guessing they'd look to make amends.

[SouthSideRyan]

I don't understand the silly notion that they are past the point of no return. There's no reason why they can't make up again. It was stupid to pay him to go away before and it's stupid now. The guy talked about retirement in private and changed his mind within hours. You can't force a guy to retire. You can't force him to take a buyout. The Cubs are on the hook.

 

I think the only question is the fanbase. The Cubs might decide that the hit to the fanbase from keeping Zambrano is worth more to them than the amount that Z can give you on the field. Otherwise there's no reason why they couldn't make up again.

You think keeping Z will drive away fans en masse?

 

En masse? No. But it will probably reinforce the belief that seems to have developed that the Cubs don't have any standards for their players. That belief is probably not true, but perception means so much for marketing. With Z gone, they can say they're going with a fresh start and sell some more tickets.

 

I've seen a fanbase finally turn on a team because of character issues, and it's not pretty. Once those fans leave, you will never get some of them back. That is different from fans leaving because of perpretually losing, because they will usually come back when the team starts winning again.

 

Where have you seen fans turn on a team and never come back due to character issues? The Pacers? You don't think those people have stayed away because the Pacers have been terrible since the Malice?

 

If the Cubs bring Z back and are contending in 2012, people will show up. If the Cubs bring Z back and are losing in 2012, people won't. You think those people won't be right back out there in 2013 if the Cubs are good?

[jersey cubs fan]

I've seen a fanbase finally turn on a team because of character issues, and it's not pretty. Once those fans leave, you will never get some of them back.

 

When?

 

You may think that could theoretically happen, but there is absolutely no reason to pretend it's at all likely with the Cubs.

 

The minute this team looks like a contender everybody will be on the bandwagon with or without a malcontent. Some blowhards may talk about giving up on the Cubs because Zambrano is still there, but they are liars and/or idiots, and easily replacable with the next round of success.

[CubColtPacer]

I've seen a fanbase finally turn on a team because of character issues, and it's not pretty. Once those fans leave, you will never get some of them back.

 

When?

 

You may think that could theoretically happen, but there is absolutely no reason to pretend it's at all likely with the Cubs.

 

The minute this team looks like a contender everybody will be on the bandwagon with or without a malcontent. Some blowhards may talk about giving up on the Cubs because Zambrano is still there, but they are liars and/or idiots, and easily replacable with the next round of success.

 

 

The Pacers. Most people I talk to about the team don't want anything to do with them. They went to games previously, but they just have no interest right now even with the Pacers getting better. Some of the Pacers fans will come back as they get closer and closer to contention, but the town will never be Pacers crazy again like they were during the 90's.

 

Obviously the Cubs are still going to be really high in attendance no matter what because their fanbase is so huge that losing a small percentage of them isn't going to make a huge difference. But if keeping Z doesn't provide much extra value either, then losing those fans might be considered the worse choice.