Those were just examples of how it would not necessarily be stupid to trade Zambrano, just as you asked. If a player of Z's stature came available, I think you'd be surprised what names would fly around in an attempt to get him.
Trading Carlos Zambrano for Bernie Williams = dumb baseball Trading Carlos Zambrano for Miguel Cabrera = not so dumb Trading Carlos Zambrano for Joe Mauer + Francisco Liriano = smart, smart baseball (not happening, but it would be smart)
That's harsh. Barry Sanders is one of the most humble professional athletes in history as well as being one of the most talented. Barry walked away from the game partly because Payton's rushing record meant very little to him. He did the same in high school when he got within 30 yards or so of the league's rushing title. He felt Rodney Peete deserved the Heisman. While playing, he was notorious for not cashing paychecks and lived in a $175,000 home. Barry Sanders was a lot of things, a quitter is not one of them.