RichHillIsABeast

That's a mistake I didn't expect Callis to make. One would be a typo, but he didn't get his draft year or his age right in that sentence. Isn't he 19 now? People are going to read that and wonder what kind of player is in his 4th year in the minors at 22 years of age still playing rookie ball :D That's what happens when you're watching 24 re-runs while working.

Hopefully Z completely retracts his statement on WGN. He sounded completely different at the Convention, so hopefully it was just a misunderstanding. I still don't think he's worth 18MM/7 years though. Not with the PAP on his arm.

Starting to get excited... ...been hurt so many times. :lol:

I'd rather be a medium-sized payroll team than have to put up with eyesores in Wrigley.

The first step is admitting you have a problem. The second step is getting ahold of la chiva. Then it's on. First one to stick it wins.

His reported potential long-term deal is worthy of suicide. You don't want him signed long-term; we get it. Don't be an ass. Ooops. Too late.

His reported potential long-term deal is worthy of suicide.

Why is Z automatically the bad guy? Why not look at it from the perspective of Carlos Zambrano has given the Cubs 3 very good seasons, why can't the Cubs reward him with the contract that he wants? Z has been very good for the Cubs, why should he give them a reduced price? Shouldn't the Cubs do the honorable thing and pay him what the market dictates? You say Z is being greedy. Maybe the Cubs are being stingy. Z is due for a major injury sometime in the near future. His K/BB trend scares the crap out of me. Dude is not a pitcher. He's a thrower. It just happens that his stuff is so freaking good he's made it this far. Z is in for a major plummet. Z is a dink for saying he'd leave if he didn't get an extension by opening day. It's one thing to say you don't want to negotiate during the season (that's common). It's another to say you're gone if an extension isn't inked by opening day. Selfish jerk. Now we know how "Carlos Zambrano thinks." I doubt he means it though, and it appears a lot of us feel the same way. And he is due for a major injury, I agree. But Zito money is a good deal given Z is better than Zito, younger than Zito and there's also salary inflation for next offseason to think about. A Zito deal is good for Z given that he's due for a major injury? What was Wood's last contract? 3 years? You want to see us pay Z for 6+ years of Wood/Prior DL madness? I love what Z has done, but I'm a little gunshy. I don't blame Z for his impending injury. That's all on Dustbag, the pitcher killer. But it's just plum ridiculous to pay Z for PAST performance.

Why is Z automatically the bad guy? Why not look at it from the perspective of Carlos Zambrano has given the Cubs 3 very good seasons, why can't the Cubs reward him with the contract that he wants? Z has been very good for the Cubs, why should he give them a reduced price? Shouldn't the Cubs do the honorable thing and pay him what the market dictates? You say Z is being greedy. Maybe the Cubs are being stingy. Z is due for a major injury sometime in the near future. His K/BB trend scares the crap out of me. Dude is not a pitcher. He's a thrower. It just happens that his stuff is so freaking good he's made it this far. Z is in for a major plummet. Z is a dink for saying he'd leave if he didn't get an extension by opening day. It's one thing to say you don't want to negotiate during the season (that's common). It's another to say you're gone if an extension isn't inked by opening day. Selfish jerk. Now we know how "Carlos Zambrano thinks."

Yeah, b/c hometown discounts for an org that drafted and developed you is completely out of line. Bastard Cubs organization. Worthless arrogant SOBs. It's a negotiation tactic. Hendry is in a situation where he basically has to re-sign Z, I honestly don't think Z is gone in 2008 (for better or for worse). I'm not sure why Z should be chastised for not taking a hometown discount - especially not talking about it now that negotiation time is near. Just like both Aramis situations, I think some people are overreacting a bit (granted I was in on the Aramis overreacting the last time). Z shouldn't be chastized b/c he was put in an advantageous bargaining position? Business, my hiney. How many generations of his family do the Cubs have to provide for? How about some love for the fans who've loved him from day 1? Do you love Chicago or don't you? It seems as though we only deserve first crack at giving you your massive contact. Wow, I thought we would get more than that. ARam is looking more and more like a team player. I don't want to hear another soul whine about his game ever again. Some guys play the game to win. Others play for themselves. I thought Z was in the first group. Wrong.

Yeah, b/c hometown discounts for an org that drafted and developed you is completely out of line. Bastard Cubs organization. Worthless arrogant SOBs.

Derrek Lee said pretty much the exact same thing. It's public negotiating and such a "deadline" often isn't a deadline. I doubt anyone here wouldn't want market value if they were in Z's position after Hendry over-paid like a maniac this offseason. Lee took Konerko money after a ridiculous season. Z is going to take Zito money after an ok season (for an ace)? Lee didn't say he'd leave if he didn't get an extension (at FA market value) by opening day. He just said that he didn't want to worry about a contract during the season. Big difference. Later, Z. Thanks for your loyalty.

Yeah, I hate it when GM's trade away those all-too-valuable undersized righthanders who throw in the high 80's Maddux? Ah, I see, Ryu is as good as Maddux. I missed that notation in the scouting report. :lol: Best comparison ever.

Later Z. I love your intensity, but you turned into a money hungry whore. Hill for ace!! 8-)

Hometown discounts shouldn't be expected. They should be considered as a pleasant surprise if they happen. Like Z has said, this is a business, and this is his best chance at free agency. Pitchers @ 25 may only get one big contract. I understand he can live off it for the rest of his life, but for him is to get it while he can. It's not a business. Z's grandkids are set for life irregardless of the hometown discount. The Cubs organization gave Z the chance to play pro ball and developed him to be the pitcher he is today. It's pretty selfish to demand FA market value after all that. If we're going to pay FA market value for a pitcher, let's get Santana. Z is pretty mediocre alongside that guy. Oswalt gave the hometown discount. Carpenter gave the hometown discount. Carpenter didn't even have the history with the Cards org that Carlos does with the Cubs. Thanks for the love, Carlos. :roll: Go back to Russia, Commie. Kidding, kidding. Seriously though, most "home town discounts" are little more than risk aversion. Take Carp for example. His signed his new contract while he had a year left on his contract and an option year. Thats two more years of heavy workload on a freak of a reconstructed shoulder. Sure, when he signed the new contract he had made about $20M in his career and was guaranteed another 8 (07 + buy out), but what if his shoulder faltered again? 28M is nothing to sneeze at, but now hes guaranteed nearly $85M. He was smart and took the risk adverse position. "Hometown discount" is a great phrase for the papers, but we all know why Carp and the many players this year have signed extensions...its called security. If Z doesn't want that, thats fine for him. Its a risky position to take (especially considering his abuse), but with risk, there are rewards. Plus, Z seems like the type of uber confident guy who goes into every year knowing (thinking) he will win the CY. Hey Z, nice PAP. You'll be joining Carpenter soon, w/o the Cy Young of course. This contract is going to be a disaster for the Cubs.

Hometown discounts shouldn't be expected. They should be considered as a pleasant surprise if they happen. Like Z has said, this is a business, and this is his best chance at free agency. Pitchers @ 25 may only get one big contract. I understand he can live off it for the rest of his life, but for him is to get it while he can. It's not a business. Z's grandkids are set for life irregardless of the hometown discount. The Cubs organization gave Z the chance to play pro ball and developed him to be the pitcher he is today. It's pretty selfish to demand FA market value after all that. If we're going to pay FA market value for a pitcher, let's get Santana. Z is pretty mediocre alongside that guy. Oswalt gave the hometown discount. Carpenter gave the hometown discount. Carpenter didn't even have the history with the Cards org that Carlos does with the Cubs. Thanks for the love, Carlos. :roll:

Without knowing the background behind these guys, it's pretty ridiculous to judge someone by their numbers at non-advanced levels. If we're going by numbers, we might as well write Pawelek off right now. Other things factor into prospects than numbers.

Z is being a turd. How about a hometown discount? If the only thing you're going to give the Cubs' org and fanbase is first crack at a Zito-like contract, then keep on walking. Someone will pay you. You're right about that. I just hope it's not the Chicago Cubs. They won't love you like we do. Show us some freaking love. How many generations of your family will this contract take care of? 5 or 8, that's the only question. SHOW ME THE MONAAAYYYY!!! Where's Boras when you need him? :evil:

We have Wilken now. I'd rather have more advanced prospects via trade than draft picks, but the picks wouldn't be wasted with Wilken at the helm.

:lol:

There is no difference between Z and a FA if he's going after Zito money. The fact that he came up through our org doesn't matter, other than the abuse Dusty and company put on his arm. Who cares if he was our prospect? That has no impact on the current decision - other than him giving us a hometown discount, which he isn't. I'd rather have control of a guy like Weaver for 5+ years and another prospect or 2 than Z with a Zito contract. You misread my post. I'm not saying the fact that Z came up in our org should win him any additional dollars. I'm saying the odds of seeing the amount of production we get out of Z from a prospect or prospects is very slim, no matter how highly regarded they might be. The amount of production you're going to get out of a legit elite prospect per dollar far exceeds what Z gives you. Z is a stud, but if he wants to be paid like Zito, that counts against his value to a ballclub in a big way.

There is no difference between Z and a FA if he's going after Zito money. The fact that he came up through our org doesn't matter, other than the abuse Dusty and company put on his arm. Who cares if he was our prospect? That has no impact on the current decision - other than him giving us a hometown discount, which he isn't. I'd rather have control of a guy like Weaver for 5+ years and another prospect or 2 than Z with a Zito contract.

How does Hendry not screw this up? Either he trades Z and endures the backlash or pays near FA market value for a guy with legit injury concerns. The backlash would be short lived if he dealt him for a package like Weaver and Aybar. Hey, I'm all for it, but Hendry is going to get roasted in the short term. He might not have a job long enough to see that deal turn out in the Cubs' favor. Dealing Z is the best long term move, IMO, but it seems as though the Cubs are in to win it now, not develop prospects.

How does Hendry not screw this up? Either he trades Z and endures the backlash or pays near FA market value for a guy with legit injury concerns. Why can't Z pull a Carpenter/Oswalt and give us a decent hometown discount? How about a little love for the fans and the org that turned you into what you are as a pitcher?

prospects that may never amount to nothing I'd rather have 2-3 guys who could be the low cost cornerstone to a team than one ace making near market value who blows his arm out in the near future.