Sammy Sofa

HOLY [expletive]. Talk about making up for errors this inning.

I doubt they even have to do much, or that they'll even get involved; Zambrano isn't walking away. It sounds like his agent already slapped some sense into him. There's absolutely no way the union isn't all over him if he accepts less than $25 million a year and/or at least 8 years. That completely plays into Pujols' "good guy image," because there's no way he wants to be painted the villain like that. If he takes a discount to stay in St. Louis it's not going to be less than those figures.

The difference being that outside of Johnson, which vets are blocking anybody? I don't need to see any more of Campana to know that he's not anything more than he's been. I suppose it would be good to see what some of the 2nd base options are but that won't really happen until Sept. anyway. This situation is different than not playing Choi because Fred McGriff is chasing some meaningless milestone. And let's face it; Johnson's not REALLY blocking anyone. Yes, I'd rather see Colvin get more time. But let's be realistic.

Castro with the socks up...bueno.

No hits for Uggla today?

I agree that it's really unlikely, but I also think if anyone were to decide to leave that kind of money on the table it would be Z. It's possible that he's run out of people to blame for his dwindling success and may just not enjoy going out there anymore because he's not up to his own standard of play. He very likely has too much pride to phone it in and count his money next year, and the trade that he'd be likely to force could potentially offend him as well. He's also just stubborn enough to tell his agent and the mlbpa to go [expletive] themselves. Allowing for ALL that, I think there's a 10% chance he retires. Jesus, I just did this up PTI-style. There's no way Zambrano leaves that much money on the table. Also, his agent and the player's union would certainly push him to return. Hmm, never really thought of it that way before Yeah, that's why I mentioned the union; they're going to be VERY interested if he's trying to walk away from that kind of money. They're the same reason I don't see Pujols taking the severe hometown discount many seem to assume he'll end up taking. The union simply will not let players leave that much on the table, especially when it establishes a precedent detrimental to other players down the line. In Zambrano's case it's arguably a further hindrance to any talented player with any kind of "emotional" history trying to max out a new contract.

Jim Hendry's prize GMing at work again. Carlos Pena everyone.

Somewhere around 7-9.

Disappointing, but not at all surprising. I can't think of too many managers who wouldn't do the same damn thing in this situation. When a team is bad almost any MLB manager is going to be awful. And no, that's a defense of Quade; that's a condemnation of most MLB managers.

Please stop talking he's actually going to retire. He's not, and it has nothing to do with the team "letting" him do so. His agent and the union have likely (and rightly) pointed out to him that walking away from approx. $23 million is beyond moronic.

Shhhhhh. Let them dance for us.

EXCELLENT.

It was my understanding that he cleaned out his locker and left before the game was over. Is that incorrect? Correct. That said, there's a difference between a guy leaving early who is either available to play or can at least be in the dugout/bullpen and a guy taking off who has been kicked out of the game. I'm not defended Zambrano's actions; they were stupid and childish, but already the general reporting and commentary on this are making it sound like he "abandoned" the team mid-game as if he could do anything besides being in the clubhouse after being thrown out.

In 10 years the Cubs will be working for him...or they'll be dead by his hands.

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?!?? Maybe he wants to retire in Chicago and become a saucy, well-to-do man about town.

WE DON'T WANT HIS KIND 'ROUND HERE.

What if he wants to live in Chicago? Will you kick him out?

Yes, they should murder him.

Now THAT'S ironic.

Here's a hopefully paranoid concern: In the world of meatballs, the Cubs have had 4 players/contracts apparently holding them back since 2008...Fukudome, Soriano, Zambrano and Aramis. Fukudome's gone...maybe Zambrano is...so maybe the organization will be "motivated" to just do away with the rest and go for maximum PR in starting "anew." Cutting ties with Soriano, fine, whatever, you can easily make that argument. Not looking to bring back Aramis, however...gah, that depresses me.

DUDE.

Yeah, I find this sad more than anything. Sad that he's potentially not pitching anymore, but more sad that this is a man with apparently less emotional maturity than the children he has. Honestly, I don't find it sad at all. All of that was already known. It didn't take this happening to know that he was basically a man child and pretty much devoid of a normal adult level of maturity. If he actually follows through on it, this is great expletive news for the Cubs. Dude, you actually typed out "expletive."

Again, none of that flew with Bradley. It's not going to fly here. Zambrano is going to be ripped to shreds, but so is Quade, Hendry and the rest of the organization. I dont know you may be right, and if so hopefully its just another step out the door for Hendry. Wasn't the Z deal relatively praised at the time? That is the inherent risk you take with all contracts. Sometimes what seems to be a good deal turns out to be the exact opposite. In terms of player ability/potential, sure. There was, however, definitely relatively more "risk" for this type of meltdown. This type of behavior was already old by the time he signed his last extension.

Again, none of that flew with Bradley. It's not going to fly here. Zambrano is going to be ripped to shreds, but so is Quade, Hendry and the rest of the organization. I dont know you may be right, and if so hopefully its just another step out the door for Hendry. Yeah, that's potentially a silver lining in this mess.

Again, none of that flew with Bradley. It's not going to fly here. Zambrano is going to be ripped to shreds, but so is Quade, Hendry and the rest of the organization.