Disarmed -- Dumping Zambrano?

by junkhorse on Jun 30, 2009 10:07 AM CDT

The Trib ran a reader poll yesterday with "fans" voting to cast Z off Cubbie Island. While I'm sure Sox fans sabotaged this poll, I wondered what the consensus was here.

It makes little sense fiscally to dump Zambrano at this point. Phil Rogers acknowledges this, yet still thinks the time is right to ship Z outta Chicago. He mentions his poor playoff performances and of course his childish temper as reasons for the Cubs to get rid of their ace, and while I too am tired of Z's garbage, I think he's still a dominant pitcher and one that has helped this team, more than he has hurt it.

Given all that has happened to this squad so far this year, it appears that the media is just as much on the ledge with this team as some of the fans. Calls to dump Zambrano, Bradley, etc. seem to just fuel the impatient fire. While I think this team needs to be blown up and rebuilt, the rotation is still one of the more solid ones in the NL. While Harden is a bargaining chip, Z is not.

Dump Zambrano?

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of SB Nation or Al Yellon, managing editor (unless it's a FanPost posted by Al). FanPost opinions are valued expressions of opinion by passionate and knowledgeable baseball fans.

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Comments

Most sports columnists

are pretty reactive to everything. They say things they don’t mean a week later. How about blaming the entire team rather than just Zambrano? Remember his start in the playoffs last season? The offense and defense blew it. In 07? He pitched well but got no run support. The Cubs need Zambrano.

Back him up with some offense and maybe he won’t have tantrums. I’m saying he isn’t to blame for his blowups. But come on… what did the rest of the team do on Sunday?

by daeviant on Jun 30, 2009 10:16 AM CDT reply actions

edit

I’m not saying he isn’t to blame for his blowups.

by daeviant on Jun 30, 2009 10:17 AM CDT up reply actions

Phil Rogers

I’d feel more comfortable asking Travis the chimp his opinion on the Cubs and Zambrano.

"Ask Dad. He'll know. And on the off chance he doesn't, he'll make something up"

by StevenABQ on Jun 30, 2009 10:17 AM CDT reply actions

I'm dumber for even reading this

"Manny Trillo is coming in to pinch run. You know, for a lot of teams, you would pinch run for Manny Trillo." - Harry Caray

by Archie on Jun 30, 2009 10:18 AM CDT reply actions

well we can start another thread about DeRosa if you want

Evil will always triumph, because good is dumb.

by junkhorse on Jun 30, 2009 11:16 AM CDT up reply actions

boy, Rodgers can’t even prove he graduated high-school, with savvy like that.

I'm a Cubs FANATIC. They are my team, through thick and thin. When they play over their heads, and when they play under the gutter. When they win the division, and then get swept in the division series. When they get no-hitters and when they blow no-hitters. And some day, when they go all the way and get those rings. This is the kind of fan I am.

by drewishdrewid on Jun 30, 2009 10:20 AM CDT reply actions

We did discuss alot of this already tho

http://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2009/6/30/930263/phil-rogers-moron-x-5

"Ask Dad. He'll know. And on the off chance he doesn't, he'll make something up"

by StevenABQ on Jun 30, 2009 10:20 AM CDT reply actions

Phil Rogers is winning.

His idiotic suggestion is getting way, way too much attention.

I've committed to tweeting about the Cubs for the rest of the season. (Does that sound as ridiculous as I think it does?) Anyway, if you're on Twitter, you can follow me here.

by daver on Jun 30, 2009 10:33 AM CDT reply actions

not from

anyone who matters, I’m sure.

by drewishdrewid on Jun 30, 2009 10:49 AM CDT up reply actions

Phil Rogers

Is doing exactly what he’s supposed to be doing. Writing stories that make people read and talk about. I’m sure he appreciates all of your continued support!

Go Cubs Go!!!!

by cubsluver22 on Jun 30, 2009 10:38 AM CDT reply actions

If we could package him to get a better pitcher...

then do it! We could probably deal him for guys like Cliff Lee, although I’d prefer someone who I know wins big games.

Get Peavy already! I want my #44 jersey!

by Cub Style on Jun 30, 2009 11:07 AM CDT reply actions

why the fuck

would the indians deal cliff lee for carlos zambrano?!?

Because chicks dig the intentional base on balls.

by Felonius_Monk on Jun 30, 2009 12:26 PM CDT up reply actions

dude...

this is a family forum.

"This is an environment of welcoming, and you should just get the hell outta here." --Michael Scott

by Reddevil on Jun 30, 2009 2:21 PM CDT up reply actions

Did i say straight up?

No.

Get Peavy already! I want my #44 jersey!

by Cub Style on Jun 30, 2009 4:51 PM CDT up reply actions

Inappropriate language.

Watch your language, please.

"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra

by Al Yellon on Jun 30, 2009 4:54 PM CDT up reply actions

By the way, over at the Angels site

You HAVE to swear. It’s required. I was banned a few years ago because I remarked — “why the rough language in every post?”

I was kicked out of that blog about 30-seconds later.

by San Diego Smooth Jazz Man on Jun 30, 2009 8:34 PM CDT up reply actions

This is the same Phil Rogers

who was making absurd trade proposals at the Winter Meetings a couple years back by jotting notes on his cocktail napkin. He has offered little-to-no insight into the team, baseball, or anything that I give a damn about. He’s a boob, plain and simple.

by Ryjo on Jun 30, 2009 11:14 AM CDT reply actions

The thing that gets me ...

is that Z has NOT been bad in the playoffs. He pitched well in ’07 and the defense let him down last year.

Who cares how he performed SIX years ago in his second full season!

by elgato on Jun 30, 2009 11:26 AM CDT reply actions

Like a lot of Cub players...

…Z has been a bit over hyped, and that is not all his fault. IMO, he was a better pitcher in 05 and 06 than he is today. Since that time, he has lost an edge and has been less reliable in his performance.

Lastly, Zambrano is not an ACE and he has never been one. The closest he got to that was a few years ago, but he has dipped since that point. He is a top notch starter, but he is not what I would call an “ACE”.

"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel

by MPH73 on Jun 30, 2009 9:44 PM CDT up reply actions

Totally agree.

I've committed to tweeting about the Cubs for the rest of the season. (Does that sound as ridiculous as I think it does?) Anyway, if you're on Twitter, you can follow me here.

by daver on Jul 1, 2009 9:53 AM CDT up reply actions

Every time I read Phil Rogers...

it seems like he always has a pessimistic view and comes up with a few somewhat radical ideas. He thinks a team that is struggling is terrible, but loves dark horses.

Honestly, it’s hard to take this guy seriously when he writes articles.

by cufban2522 on Jun 30, 2009 11:34 AM CDT reply actions

Anyone who takes Roger's seriously...

…is goofier than he is.

I will always rememember his articles back in 06 when it was apparant that Dusty wasn’t going to be brought back. He wrote an article (around August) that said Dusty should be given an extension, because a lot of the blame should have been on Hendry (I agreed with the Hendry part). A couple weeks later, he wrote the Cubs should give Razor Shines (White Sox AAA coach) a chance to manage the Cubs, because he had earned it. About a week or two later, he was back saying Dusty should be brought back to manager the team.

It was really amazing a columist could so many different view points about one topic and not think they were coming accross like a complete dufus. Honestly, I think Rogers is a bit dilusional and he actually thinks he makes perfect sense. This also doesn’t exactly say much for the Trib’s sports editors, who are clearly on another planet.

"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel

by MPH73 on Jun 30, 2009 9:40 PM CDT up reply actions

Carlos Zambrano is a great pitcher.

Phil Rogers is an idiot, and a blowhard.

by ARob1 on Jun 30, 2009 11:37 AM CDT reply actions

Ranting about Phil Rogers is one way to completely miss the point

Carlos Zambrano is an overpaid, over-relied on pitcher. He is not an Ace.

He is too inconsistent, and nothing even close to a stopper. Zambrano has a NTC and is locked in at $18M per year through the 2012 season.

He arguably wins the award for worst contract on the team. He will never be a professional, dependable ace.

But what can one do? His contract makes him untradeable, not to mention the NTC.

Our only option is to deal with his antics. Learn from this terrible contract , and hope he doesn’t let the team down too many times.

But he is definitely part of the problem more than he is part of the solution.

"This is an environment of welcoming, and you should just get the hell outta here." --Michael Scott

by Reddevil on Jun 30, 2009 2:31 PM CDT reply actions 1 recs

As Cubs fans...

….we often measure with our hearts, and not our minds.

I would have to agree that Carlos does not look like a SP who will ever win 20 games for us in a season. But few have been so loyal or shown such passion, sometimes to a fault.

I would miss Carlos if he left or was traded. That being said, no – I would not rule out trading him for the right deal. But I would hardly just dump him because he’s making too much — he is still, at worst, a #2 Major League starting pitcher – and that ain’t bad.

"Bite my shiny metal ass!" -- Bender Bending Rodriguez

"Life is just one crushing defeat after another until you just wish Flanders was dead."

by The Jade Scorpion on Jun 30, 2009 2:35 PM CDT up reply actions

Couldn't agree more.

The “all or nothing” – or should I say “ACE or nothing” – attitude of so many Cubs fans regarding Carlos Zambrano is a wonder to behold.

I've committed to tweeting about the Cubs for the rest of the season. (Does that sound as ridiculous as I think it does?) Anyway, if you're on Twitter, you can follow me here.

by daver on Jun 30, 2009 3:03 PM CDT up reply actions

Like Al.

Get Peavy already! I want my #44 jersey!

by Cub Style on Jun 30, 2009 4:52 PM CDT up reply actions

Al wants to get rid of Carlos Zambrano?

I've committed to tweeting about the Cubs for the rest of the season. (Does that sound as ridiculous as I think it does?) Anyway, if you're on Twitter, you can follow me here.

by daver on Jun 30, 2009 5:01 PM CDT up reply actions

He IS paid like an ace...

The return on investment is at least disappointing… particularly since his ceiling has nothing to do with this “stuff,” but solely due to his maturity and attitude.

Yet, like I said above, moving him is not an option.

"This is an environment of welcoming, and you should just get the hell outta here." --Michael Scott

by Reddevil on Jun 30, 2009 6:32 PM CDT up reply actions

I agree

he’s not an ace.
But to say he has the worst contract on the team ignores the outfield.
And I completely disagree that he’s part of the problem. Look at his stats. He brings tremendous talent, which occasionally gets buried by doing something stupid, but more often than not, the upside far outweighs the downside.
Again, if this team could hit, this wouldn’t be an issue, Z, like all of the pitchers right now, feels they have to be perfect because the offense isn’t going to support them.
And regardless of anything else, you don’t just cut a guy that talented. Trade, fine, but to cast off…that would be another massive failure by the team.

by chitownhawkeye on Jun 30, 2009 4:13 PM CDT up reply actions

Phil Rogers is a hack who rarely, if ever, has anything of value or insight to say...

No matter how you might feel about Z., you can make a case that Rogers has always had it in for him. Who remembers a few years ago when Rogers’ “expertise” was leading him to say that, when we were talking to Baltimore about Tejada, that we should hold on to Prior at all costs and trade Z?

I understand that writers are human too but it still bugs me when someone’s personal dislike for someone dictates his views.

by bluekoolaide on Jun 30, 2009 4:08 PM CDT reply actions

You People just don;t get it

Phil Rogers has a job to do. That job is to write stories that other people will read and talk about. Given it’s a bunch of crap but still getting “his” job done. If you don’t like this crap quit giving him free publicity.

Go Cubs Go!!!!

by cubsluver22 on Jun 30, 2009 4:41 PM CDT up reply actions

EXACTLY!!!

This is why I won’t post the links!

"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra

by Al Yellon on Jun 30, 2009 4:44 PM CDT up reply actions

An enlightened GM would trade Zambrano now

Fact is he is a mental midget, albeit a highly gifted pitcher at the probable zenith of his pitching abilities right now. I’d trade Zambrano right now. Phillies, Mets and Angels would all have significant interest. And maybe we could even get one of them to take a bad contract off of our hands for the privilege of acquiring Zambrano.

$136 million payroll for a .500 style ballclub. Good work Jim.

by BLou on Jun 30, 2009 7:20 PM CDT reply actions

Their are....

others I would characterize as mental midgets but no names will be named!

Go Cubs Go!!!!

by cubsluver22 on Jun 30, 2009 7:28 PM CDT up reply actions

I'd say his zenith, in terms of pure dominance at least, was a few years ago.

But I would still ask why a team would rid itself of a “highly gifted [starting] pitcher” just because his behavior is occasionally annoying.

I've committed to tweeting about the Cubs for the rest of the season. (Does that sound as ridiculous as I think it does?) Anyway, if you're on Twitter, you can follow me here.

by daver on Jul 1, 2009 9:57 AM CDT up reply actions