BeerHere

Zambrano was out of the game and talked about retirement after a teammate berated him. He didn't quit. He packed up his stuff and left. He rescinded his remarks when he realized how much money he left on the table. That sounds like quitting to me, but whatever. He was out of the game. He couldn't do a damn thing to affect that game at that point. The fact that he packed his stuff is absolutely meaningless. He had a hissy fit after a teammate went off on him for hitting the opponent. If Hendry were still the GM I think it's pretty clear that he would be gone, he would either be waived and they eat his contract or he gets traded for very little value. With Epstein, it isn't that cut and dry and I love that about him. Question to you Goony, do you think Zambrano is a Cub at the start of 2012? I'm on record as saying no, I think he's gone and all Theo is doing now is posturing to get the best value for him.

Zambrano was out of the game and talked about retirement after a teammate berated him. He didn't quit. He packed up his stuff and left. He rescinded his remarks when he realized how much money he left on the table. That sounds like quitting to me, but whatever. He's also publicly called out his closer. Fought with multiple teammates on multiple occasions in the dugout of all places. He's been to anger management at the team's request. In general, he hasn't pitched up the ace contract that he signed, been a pain in the arse, a terrible teammate and can't control his temper. He's been so bad that the team paid him to not be there even while the pitching staff desperately needed him and his replacement(s) were terrible. There is very clear writing on the wall, but keep splitting hairs if you want.

During the press conference yesterday Epstein noted that he wants guys in the clubhouse that (paraphrasing) stick together, that strive to win together, that understand that it is a team effort, that fully buy into the "Cubs Way", etc etc. Zambrano quit on his teammates last year and all reports are that there are some in the clubhouse that haven't forgiven him. Ricketts made multiple mistakes by saying publicly that Z is finished with the Cubs, effectively killing his own negotiating leverage. I would be willing to bet that Zambrano is gone and anything that Epstein says to the contrary this offseason is just posturing to get a better deal with they do send him on his way. My personal opinion - good riddance. It is entirely possible that I read into Epstein's comments specifically looking for something to support my thoughts and hope however.

From the AskBA: The baseball tournament is ongoing, with the gold-medal game between Canada and the United States set for tonight at 8 p.m. ET. Team USA ended Cuba's streak of 10 straight Pan Am baseball titles over 40 years with a 12-10 victory in the semifinals yesterday. John Manuel has provided tournament updates on our Prospect Blog and will follow the game tonight on Twitter via @johnmanuelba. USA Baseball has used a squad of minor leaguers for the World Cup in Panama (where Team USA reached the bronze-medal game but was rained out against Canada) and the Pan Am Games, which were staged three days apart. There are more journeymen than prospects, with top performers including Marlins second baseman Joe Thurston (.436/.500/.600 between the two tournaments), Red Sox outfielder Brett Carroll (.357/.449/.595, including a 9-for-14 performance at the Pan Am Games), Astros lefthander Andy Van Hekken (3-0, 1.29 in three starts) and Mariners righty Scott Patterson (three saves, 1.29 ERA in eight appearances). Team USA's best prospect was Blue Jays catcher Travis d'Arnaud, who went 3-for-16 in four games before tearing ligaments in his left thumb and requiring surgery. Other prospects of note include Cubs outfielder Brett Jackson (.400/.450/.571), who has had just one at-bat at the Pan Ams because he's banged up; Diamondbacks outfielder A.J. Pollock (.255/.356/.392); and Tigers lefty Drew Smyly (2-0, 0.00 in three starts).

You could be right, but I wouldn't be surprised if he's kept around for the last year of his deal. New GM's typically want to bring in their guy as manager so nothing short of a world series appearance is going to keep Quade beyond 2012 if he does survive this offseason. The sooner the better in my opinion.

I wonder if that extends to the minor as well. I could see some of the big league team being sent along (Zambrano, others) but since the minors are loaded with guys that probably don't fit the new philosophy I wonder if guys like Vitters, JJackson etc are moved.

I would tend to agree. I doubt he goes after Pujols but I wouldn't be surprised if he did make a run at Fielder though given the hole at 1B right now and the payroll flexibility he'll have.

He said all the right things. I wish someone would have asked if he has put any thought into the Zambrano situation, though I recognize that it's probably too early for him.

http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/prospects/2011/10/u-s-ends-cubas-pan-am-reign/ That article basically says someone has replaced Jackson in CF because he is "banged up".

I think significant dollars need to be spent on the 2012 rotation. If signing ARam means that a FA pitcher cannot be had then he needs to be allowed to walk away. I certainly wouldn't complain if he's on the team, provided his contract doesn't block other moves.

Seconded

This thread epitomizes all that is wrong with NSBB these days. http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OtOkZ_X8Sdk/TG9jWPIeymI/AAAAAAAABgE/LeME0WuI-gs/s1600/carl+weathers.jpg I'll admit....I laughed at that. Well done.

This thread epitomizes all that is wrong with NSBB these days.

Gammons is bitter due to the current state of his RSox and the fact that Epstein would dare to leave. Besides.....if McNutt is nothing special then they wouldn't be so upset if they didn't get him and wouldn't push so hard. Gammons is a tool and an RSox homer.

Gammons is bitter due to the current state of his RSox and the fact that Epstein would dare to leave.

milb.com, scoreboard section. You can select any league and date. I don't know how far back they go. Here is a box score from 5/23/2009 http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/scoreboard/league.jsp?sid=milb&lid=111&ymd=20090523

Has there been any word on the "compensation" due to the RSox beyond the $3.5M buyout?

I'll admit that I wasn't impressed with Ricketts after the 2010 draft and all the talk about investing in player development. After the 2011 draft, firing Hendry and now Epstein I am extremely impressed. Not that he needed to impress BeerHere but it's nice to finally see ownership taking big steps in the right direction.

WOOOOOOOOOOO!

I was thinking this earlier. Good post Fred. It's a sad state of affairs when the "almost announcement" of a new GM outpaces the in-game discussion.

They will be bad for years to come. Keep them in the NL Central for now. If/when them become good, then do the switch.

Byrd, Soriano, Lopez, Grabow, Hill, Coleman, DeWitt should all be gone IMO. I'm on the fence regarding Soto, Dempster and Wells -- if a good offer comes my way I'd deal them.

Z is all but gone. I doubt it's possible, but maybe if he eats some contract he can trade Soriano to free up some $ and a spot for Jackson. Guesses on my part.

Come on, we have Colvin, LaHair, DeWitt, Campana, Hill. Now if he meant good left handers, he should have been more specific. I have lost all respect for Stone.

Like eat the entirety of his contract to play for another team? Agreed, but Zambrano is gone. What really remains are the financial details, but based on the comments earlier in the thread about obtaining the right players (can't remember the exact verbiage), it sure sounds like Ricketts has turned the page on Zambrano. I think he's gone and there is very little chance he pitches for the Cubs again.