erik316wttn

What does everyone think a likely punishment is for Miami?

Thanks Erik. You're welcome!

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.

I won't believe a word he actually says until I see results. I've heard it all far too many times to believe it again, sight unseen. Where's Vance with his cat crap pics when you need them?

So one of his teammates yells at him, and then he gets all butthurt and quits? Really?

And nobody cares what you want. That works both ways.

I'm with you. If this offseason is "same old Cubs" I'm seriously considering jumping ship. I don't know how much more of this [expletive] I can take.

That was definitely my concern too. It's not really difficult to imagine the Cubs doing that. It certainly would be the very "Cub-like" thing to do. I just wonder if Ricketts is going to openly wonder why attendance is down in the coming years.

But all of the players you mentioned who have "bad" contracts are not anywhere on the level of a Pujols or Fielder. Getting the feeling that Henrdry and Quade are returning next year. Hendry almost certainly. I wouldn't be shocked if Quade was retained, however.

But all of the players you mentioned who have "bad" contracts are not anywhere on the level of a Pujols or Fielder.

Yup, no Pujols or Fielder.

This is exactly what I see happening. I think Hendry can pull off signing one of the 1B, and that's a very obvious must do for the Cubs. Its a move that's much easer to make with a FO not in complete flux. I'm getting more and more convinced that Carlos Pena will be our Opening Day 1B next year.

You're right. It probably won't happen. But a guy can dream, can't he?

Throwing at opposing batters for no reason would be a start. This. Also, it's been implied that there have been several other incidents that were covered up by the team that we didn't hear about. This was probably just the last straw after many, many warnings. Eventually you have to cut bait when a guy becomes more trouble than he's worth. If Z really doesn't want to be here anymore, it makes no sense to have him around the guys who actually do, and letting Z's negative attitude affect everyone else. Let him walk. Because if you get him to come back, it's just a matter of time before this happens again. Let him "retire" and get that money off the books. I'm just afraid the team will convince him to come back and then trade him for some "prospects" that will never see the light of day while paying 85% of his remaining contract.

Wins that will be led by the mighty Reed Johnson!

No, but Hendry typically talks himself into a corner by enraging the meatheads to the point that no solution is acceptable other than the banishment of said player. GMs will lowball him because they know he HAS to make a move. Had all parties just shut up and kept the clubhouse business in the clubhouse, no one would be wise to any of this today. Are you against the 30-day suspension? Eventually it would have come out what happened once word hit the press of his suspension. Teams need to discipline behavior like this. If a guy is fiery, fine. I love guys who have a ton of passion for the game and want to win. But Z went beyond that. When it affects the team, it needs to be addressed, and that's what happened here. I don't support Hendry at ALL, but I'm on his side here. Just curious, but how did Zambrano leaving after he got ejected/ripped to shreds by Soriano affect the team in any shape or manner? Things said/done in the clubhouse should stay there. You have to be consistent. So if it's ok for Z to throw a fit and go home when things don't go his way and you do nothing, that means you're saying it's ok when anyone else does it, too. And it's not like this is the first time Z has done something crazy like this. If it was from totally out of the blue you could overlook it, but if it's forgiven it'll just happen again. Something needed to be done. And like I said-- once the Cubs announced a 30-day suspension for Z, the reason would have gotten out regardless. I hope he really stays away so the Cubs can spend that money on a pitcher who isn't a complete mental case.

No, but Hendry typically talks himself into a corner by enraging the meatheads to the point that no solution is acceptable other than the banishment of said player. GMs will lowball him because they know he HAS to make a move. Had all parties just shut up and kept the clubhouse business in the clubhouse, no one would be wise to any of this today. Are you against the 30-day suspension? Eventually it would have come out what happened once word hit the press of his suspension. Teams need to discipline behavior like this. If a guy is fiery, fine. I love guys who have a ton of passion for the game and want to win. But Z went beyond that. When it affects the team, it needs to be addressed, and that's what happened here. I don't support Hendry at ALL, but I'm on his side here.

So if he doesn't file retirement papers with the league, how long does he need to be away from the team before we can void his contract?

Of course he will. Why wouldn't he stay on?

I'm not sure the last time the nfl had a must-watch defensive player, maybe LT, but suh is pretty much in that category Clay Matthews.

I think he's just trying to be funny but failing miserably.

what else is there in your post to discuss? do you want people to RAH RAH support your weird post or what? YEAH LET'S DRIVE HIM TO THE AIRPORT WITH OUR PITCHFORKS AND TORCHES! RABBLE RABBLE! LET'S DO IT! HE'S A MONSTER! I never said anything about pitchforks and torches or that he's a monster. Calm down. What I said, had you been paying attention, is that his contract could be put toward other players that can help us win, and if he wants to go they should let him. Call his bluff, and if he's not bluffing then it's really not a big loss. Just don't end up convincing him to come back only to trade him for crap while still paying a good portion of his contract. Yes, buy why does he have to leave the city/state/country?!?? I just assumed he'd want to. Stop trying to derail.

I don't think Z needs you to drive him. I was just trying to be nice. :(

what else is there in your post to discuss? do you want people to RAH RAH support your weird post or what? YEAH LET'S DRIVE HIM TO THE AIRPORT WITH OUR PITCHFORKS AND TORCHES! RABBLE RABBLE! LET'S DO IT! HE'S A MONSTER! I never said anything about pitchforks and torches or that he's a monster. Calm down. What I said, had you been paying attention, is that his contract could be put toward other players that can help us win, and if he wants to go they should let him. Call his bluff, and if he's not bluffing then it's really not a big loss. Just don't end up convincing him to come back only to trade him for crap while still paying a good portion of his contract.

To fly out of Atlanta to go home, perhaps? Do you expect him to walk?