Royals Interested In Zambrano
So writes David Kaplan at CSNChicago.com. Kaplan does mention Z's NTC (actually, Z has full 10-and-5 rights). Z could veto any deal, and I doubt he'd want to go to the Royals. Speculate away.
7 months ago
Al Yellon
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Convincing Zambrano to go to KC
would take a major contract extension, one that KC would not be likely to give.
I’m not saying there is no chance of this happening (who knows what’s going on in Zambrano’s head?) but I think it’s not very likely.
Oh come on
Just wave some KC style barbeque in front of Big Z. He’ll mindlessly pack up and move to the world capital of barbecue. No contract extension needed.
"Just shut up and play" - Matt Garza
by RiskyBusiness on Nov 8, 2011 1:05 PM CST up reply actions
I think it comes down to what his agent suggest he
do….go to another team..rebuild image and improve #’s get another contract
screw up and you might be out of baseball forever.
by cozmotaylor123 on Nov 8, 2011 2:18 PM CST up reply actions
Yeah, but I think they still discuss that over a platter of barbeque rubs.
"Just shut up and play" - Matt Garza
by RiskyBusiness on Nov 8, 2011 3:18 PM CST up reply actions
Barbeque rubs might be my favorite misspell I've seen in quite some time
I laughed out loud at that one.
by Mulhollandmania on Nov 8, 2011 3:55 PM CST up reply actions
Probably an untapped fetish
"Just shut up and play" - Matt Garza
by RiskyBusiness on Nov 8, 2011 6:57 PM CST up reply actions
Good BBQ always involves a good rub.
I don’t want to play golf. When I hit a ball, I want someone else to go chase it.
by cub in louies nest on Nov 8, 2011 5:05 PM CST up reply actions
TWSS
"Just shut up and play" - Matt Garza
by RiskyBusiness on Nov 8, 2011 6:51 PM CST up reply actions
I gladly offer to take Zambrano out for 5 separate KC BBQ outings if it means he leaves the Cubs.
"The riches of the game are in the thrills, not the money." --Ernie Banks
That is a generous offer
It could be costly. But I think you’re safe as long as he doesn’t invite Carlos Silva along.
"Just shut up and play" - Matt Garza
by RiskyBusiness on Nov 8, 2011 6:55 PM CST up reply actions
Should the Cubs look a gift bull in the mouth?
A team wants Z, it’s a great chance to off-load him. Chicago viewers can still see Big Z every time the Royals play the White Sox.
by ddoubleheader on Nov 9, 2011 2:59 PM CST up reply actions
Why do you say that?
I have no inside info — and you might, Josh — but maybe Z would look at this as an opportunity to resurrect his career. That won’t be easy in Chicago after all that’s happened.
Where have you gone, Kiko Calero. A nation turns its lonely eyes to you.
I'm sure he's looking for such a place.
But he has often said he likes to hit. That pretty much rules out an AL team.
I’m still thinking “Marlins” for Z, even if the Cubs have to eat 75% of the contract.
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Disagree.
If Z wants to pitch after 2012 — and he wants to do it for some serious cash — he could take the chance to go pitch in a small market and bounce back.
Millions of dollars and his future in the bigs are potentially at stake. Now, Zambrano has talked retirement before, but if he wants to keep playing, I think he’d let go of the hitting thing for a comeback shot in KC.
Where have you gone, Kiko Calero. A nation turns its lonely eyes to you.
Zambrano gets paid anyway,
and if he is to be believed, he’s happy to return to the Cubs for another season. That makes him the guy driving this bus, whether we like it or not.
Guys with less talent, more issues, or both have managed to hang around baseball long after people thought they would or should. See Bradley. Milton. Or Prior. Mark. I assure you there will be a host of teams (barring injury) ready to throw money at Carlos when this current contract ends, regardless of how the final season plays out. I hope he and the Cubs can agree on the mindset of best landing spot, but KC doesn’t strike me as it, and if I were a betting man, I’d bet neither does Zambrano.
by Damen Jackson on Nov 8, 2011 3:16 PM CST up reply actions
I hope he and the Cubs can agree on the mindset of best landing spot, but KC doesn’t strike me as it, and if I were a betting man, I’d bet neither does Zambrano.
Agreed.
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Just because of the DH?
Where have you gone, Kiko Calero. A nation turns its lonely eyes to you.
Not the only reason.
But part of it, yes.
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What are the other reasons?
Where have you gone, Kiko Calero. A nation turns its lonely eyes to you.
It's been stated several times in this thread.
Because the Royals just don’t seem to me to be the kind of team Z would want to play for.
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I don't see anything other than the hitting issue.
I apologize if I missed something. Would you mind restating quickly? You said something about ‘increased chances in the NL’. Do you mean, he’d do better against NL opposition?
Where have you gone, Kiko Calero. A nation turns its lonely eyes to you.
Wait, I said "increased chances"?
I dunno. I think you’re reading too much into this. Z has said many times he doesn’t want to pitch in the AL. I think it really is just that simple.
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I might have read 'increased chances' out of context ...
but you did use the term below. And, sure, it’s possible that I’m reading too much into the Royals’ reported interest (it was, admittedly, pretty mealy-mouthed). But I think it’s just as possible that you’re sticking to your theory about the Marlins even though the most recent reports show that their interest has waned (if not passed).
Where have you gone, Kiko Calero. A nation turns its lonely eyes to you.
Who would you want to play for?
Team A: wins 71 games, big market with negative fans, lots of overpaid vets past their prime, front office in flux with little hint of being competitive for several years.
Team B: wins 71 games, small market, with small but loyal fan base, starts 4 rookies, primed to make a sustained run at being very competitive but needs starting pitching.
Team C.
The one that plays in South Florida.
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Team C also isn't that interested, if the most recent report is to be believed.
Where have you gone, Kiko Calero. A nation turns its lonely eyes to you.
by elgato on Nov 8, 2011 4:45 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
I guess we'll find out.
I just don’t see KC as being a fit.
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Let's not forget his BFF
is the new Manager of the Miami Marlins. Z will wind up there — book it.
by San Diego Smooth Jazz Man on Nov 8, 2011 11:26 PM CST up reply actions
Ozzie's not the only person who makes baseball decisions.
Where have you gone, Kiko Calero. A nation turns its lonely eyes to you.
No, he's not.
But I would expect him to have considerable influence there.
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I'm really not trying to pick a fight here, Al ...
but I don’t get your logic at all. The most recent report from Miami was that the Marlins were not that interested in Zambrano. That report moved along the story from an earlier report that seemed to make Z a possible candidate to head to Miami.
Now, the Royals’ GM retreated on his comments about Z, and this isn’t a debate (anymore) about which team would be a better fit. We disagree there, but I’ll walk away from THAT part of the argument.
But unless you know something that I don’t, I think you (and others) are putting far too much emphasis on a report linking Z to Miami (and the Z-Ozzie relationship) when a more recent report shows the Marlins are looking at other pitching options (Shields, Buehrle), are generally looking at other big name FAs (Reyes) and have concerns about Z’s apparently diminishing skills.
I know you’re not a big fan of Buster Olney, so maybe you just don’t believe anything he reports. But even if you toss Olney’s reporting aside, there’s been nothing for weeks connecting Z to the Marlins (even though there’s been ton of reporting to show that the Marlins have been VERY active this offseason). I’m guessing you’re going to respond that, if you throw out the Olney report, there’s nothing that says, definitively, that the Marlins’ interest in Z has diminished.
Lastly, I just want to point out (respectfully) that I was responding to Jazz Man, and not to you. I’m really not trying to go 10 rounds with you or be a jerk. I’m just very confused by your position.
Where have you gone, Kiko Calero. A nation turns its lonely eyes to you.
I think the Marlins were only interested
when they thought they could get him for nothing. Now with Theo in charge they probably figure he’ll be too costly. Maybe they are all playing games with each other.
♪ He held me very tight under stars so bright and whispered darlin' "Who do you love tonight?" I told him "baseball, baseball...." ♫
I just don't think we know everything that's happening.
Not every move that happens is tweeted by Buster Olney, or tweeted by anyone.
Maybe they’re not interested. But maybe they are. We just don’t know.
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Well, I buy that.
But it seemed like you were doing more than cautioning in your earlier posts. Maybe I read them wrong. If so, I apologize.
Where have you gone, Kiko Calero. A nation turns its lonely eyes to you.
You could be right.
I do believe Zambrano will be in a different uniform in 2012. Which uniform that is, remains to be seen.
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I think you're right -- and I definitely HOPE you're right.
Where have you gone, Kiko Calero. A nation turns its lonely eyes to you.
I think we need to agree to disagree.
It’s likely that a team, after 2012, will hand Z a contract even if he’s pitched badly in the last season of his current deal. But if he pitches well, he’ll stand to earn a lot more money — and it’s not a stretch to say that he has a greater chance to succeed elsewhere than in Chicago, given his history here.
So, I’m saying Zambrano could easily forgo hitting in the NL in 2012 if he sees it as the best way to land a more lucrative contract (possibly with an NL team) in 2013 and beyond.
Put another way: Would Zambrano rather have three at-bats a week or increased chances to earn tens of millions for the next few seasons?
Where have you gone, Kiko Calero. A nation turns its lonely eyes to you.
I think he'd rather have those increased chances in the NL.
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But that might not be an option.
Kansas City seems like a pretty good landing spot for Z, mostly because it’s a small market with little media scrutiny. The same could be said of some NL teams, but only Miami has even expressed mild interest — and even that seems to have passed.
Where have you gone, Kiko Calero. A nation turns its lonely eyes to you.
We don't know if the Marlins' interest has "passed".
Just because you’re not hearing anything doesn’t mean nothing is happening.
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What about this?
http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2011/10/marlins-considering-james-shields-zambrano-unlikely.html
Meanwhile, Olney writes that in spite of the speculation about Carlos Zambrano joining up with Ozzie Guillen in Florida, there isn’t a lot of momentum behind this within the Marlins organization. The club’s opposition to the move has more to do with the way Zambrano’s stuff has regressed than his personality history.
Where have you gone, Kiko Calero. A nation turns its lonely eyes to you.
I do remember reading that.
Doesn’t mean it can’t happen. We’ll see.
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I'm just saying ...
that the Marlins appeared interested (when reports said Z and Ozzie were talking) and that the most recent reports were that they weren’t as interested.
Where have you gone, Kiko Calero. A nation turns its lonely eyes to you.
Why Miami?
I think that ship has sailed. There’s been no movement on it for weeks — and the Marlins seem to have (pardon the pun) bigger fish to fry.
Where have you gone, Kiko Calero. A nation turns its lonely eyes to you.
It was reported
on MLB Network that the Marlins have been the most active team in contacting Albert Pujols’ agent. While that is interesting, I can’t really see a team whose highest paid player is making $6M paying someone several multiples of that.
I understand that the new stadium figures to increase revenue, but that still doesn’t make economic sense to me, nor will it enhance clubhouse chemistry.
I'm not sure if you're arguing for my point or against it.
But the Marlins are also reportedly talking with Reyes and have interest in Buehrle. My only point was, they seem to be looking at a lot of options.
Where have you gone, Kiko Calero. A nation turns its lonely eyes to you.
My point is
it would be completely out of character, and probably detrimental to team chemistry, for the Marlins to start taking on contracts like these. I just don’t see it happening.
Ozzie Guillen is their new manager.
I’d say the Marlins are going to be completely out of character for the next several years.
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
I don't see it happening, either -- but for different reasons.
There’s just not a lot of evidence to support the theory that Zambrano will end up in Miami. The Marlins interest has, reportedly, cooled AND they’re clearly focusing on other pitchers (Buehrle, Shields) and other things (Reyes).
Where have you gone, Kiko Calero. A nation turns its lonely eyes to you.
how i see the marlins playing their hand ....
is that they seemed less interested because they want to pay as little as possible of the last year on z’s contract . if they seem too interested it could make a difference on what the marlins give up and how much the cubs will eat of the 18 million . would z appeal more to the fan base rather than mb or jackson ? i would think so . to me , the odds are in favor that the marlins will trade for him .
Carlos Zambrano isn't Roberto Clemente.
I mean, I get that Z’s Latino heritage might attract some fans. But the guy’s averaged less than 10 wins a season since 2008. I know wins aren’t great barometers of how good a pitcher has actually performed — but they do say something about the fan reaction a player, especially when predicting how me might affect advanced ticket sales.
Keep in mind, too, that Z has won more than 16 games exactly once in his career. If he’s got a big name for anything, it’s his blowups and tantrums — not his pitching (certainly not recently). I suppose that could attract SOME fans who view Z like they view NASCAR crashes, but I don’t see it being a major ticket draw.
Where have you gone, Kiko Calero. A nation turns its lonely eyes to you.
Their situation has changed
They have a new stadium and are looking to spend. They should see a massive boost in revenue this season and are looking to make a splash.
It makes absolute sense and is in no way surprising.
Agreed.
Just today, David Samson says they expect to average 30,000-35,000 per game. Even if that only lasts a year or two — it won’t last longer unless they win — that will be a huge revenue boost.
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Have you seen Eric Hosmer!?
Theyre getting better and that division is fairly open…Hochevar, Z, Sanchez, Duffy, Crow, Gordon and Moustakas is a better core than we have, Im afraid
Okay, just so I understand it... in your wildest fantasy, you are in hell. And you are co-running a bed and breakfast with the devil.
by bren on Nov 8, 2011 6:10 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
That farm system. Gosh...
Chicago Blackhawks 2010 Stanley Cup Champions
Duke Blue Devils 2010 NCAA Men's Basketball Champions
Doesn't sound like there's much to this.
I think just about any GM would say they’d at least consider dealing for someone like Zambrano, particularly GMs from small-market teams. But I don’t think he’s saying much more than that (unfortunately).
I also question Kaplan’s claim that there will be “plenty of suitors” for Z.
Harry Caray: Marshall is going back to LA to get cocaine for his injured foot.
Steve Stone: Harry, that’s Novocaine.
by Julio Zuleta's Voodoo on Nov 8, 2011 12:05 PM CST via mobile reply actions
I think it's interesting that Moore would directly address a question
about a player still under contract with another team. Zambrano’s situation is obviously no secret, but still, you don’t often see this. Another team I was wondering about is Colorado. The Rockies are likely to be looking for starting pitching, and were said to be willing to pick up all of Wandy Rodrigez’ contract from the Astros, so they may be willing to pick up a decent chunk of Z’s. Whether or not Z would have any interest in pitching in Denver, who knows?
"Enough foreplay- let's get crackin'"- Fred Garvin
As has been said before...
… it appears clear the Cubs don’t want Z back. They have probably let it be known that any team can talk about him, almost as if he were a free agent.
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by Al Yellon on Nov 8, 2011 12:18 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
I think that was more clear before Theo came on board
having a completely new management team in place may open the doors for Z’s return. I don’t think Z should/will be a Cubs next year, I am just saying that the landscape has changed significantly since he walked out on the team.
At the same time
Theo said he’s been given authority to eat contracts if he thinks it will help the team, as noted below. There are only two such contracts. I assume one or both will be gone by spring training.
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Didn't Theo say he wants to get value out players/contracts?
Just eating 19MM is going to get you value. If the Cubs have to eat over 1/2 the salary, then it’s not worth it value wise. I can see Z, if he holds it down for a contract year, putting up 2.5-3 WAR. With a completely different managing staff, maybe Z will behave differently. To me, it appears Lou and Quade both lost the clubhouse. Lou looked defeated by mid 2009 really and Quade well, if you aren’t a good leader, you won’t command respect.
I don't think Z can post that kind of year on the north side of Chicago - too many ghosts
The trick is to get another team, where he will consent to play, too see that kind of upside.
"as has been said before..."
hmmm, sorry if I haven’t been keeping up on my homework.
"Enough foreplay- let's get crackin'"- Fred Garvin
Apparently, in hindsight, Moore thought better of his comments
This, from mlbtraderumors.com:
“Moore clarified his remarks to MLB.com’s Dick Kaegel and said he shouldn’t have publicly discussed a player under contract with another team”
"Enough foreplay- let's get crackin'"- Fred Garvin
Tampering!!!
The penalty: you must take Carlos Zambrano!
GETITDONETHEOANDJED!!!!!
"Stuff like this is why they should shut off the internet."
by Orval Overall on Dec 17, 2010 1:19 PM CST
Interesting...
From the article:
However, in speaking with Epstein and Hoyer both have told me on the record that they have okay from the Ricketts family to eat any contract they want to improve the ball club.
Reading that, I suspect we’ll begin, or at least end, spring training with neither Zambrano nor Soriano in Cub uniforms.
Both, for different reasons, have outlived their usefulness to the Cubs.
Both leaving would represent additions by subtraction.
Do I really have to say it?
Oh, OK…
GETITDONETHEOANDJED!!!
Why?
Why would they take him? I mean most every team is starved for pitching but to have Zambrano in the clubhouse with a young Sanchez. The innings on his arm also would be a concern for me but if the Cubs can dump him on the Royals, “make it happen Theo & Jed.”
If he does go who takes Zambrano’s place in the Cubs rotation then? IMHO I would put Marshall there as one internal option.
Zambrano in the clubhouse with a young Sanchez.
Zambrano was born June 1, 1981.
Sanchez was born November 19, 1982.
I don’t think you can call Sanchez “young” compared to Z.
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Sanchez also has been a serious contributor to a World Series champ
by Mulhollandmania on Nov 8, 2011 12:31 PM CST up reply actions
Right.
But he’s not much younger than Z, that’s the point.
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Zambrano has started
nearly 300 games in his career. Sanchez has started barely over 100. So yes, from an experience standpoint, Z is much more seasoned than Sanchez. It is more about veteran status than it is about chronological age.
Because Zambrano
at 5-7 million on effectively a one-year deal is a steal. If the Cubs were prepared to offer some additional protections (say, they’d eat the bulk of the contract should a new team have to release him), it’s simply too good for most teams to pass up. The starting pitching market sucks. When C.J. Wilson is top of the market, it’s bad out there.
by Damen Jackson on Nov 8, 2011 2:49 PM CST up reply actions
All I saw
was something about taking a dump on the Royals. Yeah, Zambrano is a load, but the Royals can handle it. They’re named after a giant livestock convention with bullriding (and bullfighting?)
Funny fact: The Royals are named after an expo and they took their name before the Montreal team could take the name of their AAA team, the Montreal Royals, so they were left with their next best name, the Montreal Expos. Royals expo Expos Royals.
by ddoubleheader on Nov 9, 2011 3:06 PM CST up reply actions
Wait.
I knew the Royals struck first on that name… but what expo are they named after?
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American Royal
cattle show with other events (like horse riding) that’s been around for over a century.
by ddoubleheader on Nov 9, 2011 9:14 PM CST up reply actions
Grr, links didn't show up
Here:
http://www.kansascity.com/2011/10/25/3228321/american-royal-through-the-years.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Royal_Rodeo_and_Livestock_Show
by ddoubleheader on Nov 9, 2011 9:16 PM CST up reply actions
Interesting.
I did not know that.
It’s really too bad. “Expos” was a name born out of desperation when “Royals”, which SHOULD have been the Montreal team name, was taken. It was widely derided, and of course when memories of Expo 67 faded, many didn’t even remember why they had been named that.
The KC team really should have been named “Blues”, both for the history of music in that area and for the longtime minor league team there. Then Montreal could have had “Royals”, just as the team in San Diego took — and still has — the name of the longtime minor league franchise there.
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Yet ironically
a team named the Blues is over on the other end of the state, in St. Louis. Different sport though, hockey. Seems like a nexus of shuffled names.
by ddoubleheader on Nov 9, 2011 9:38 PM CST up reply actions
Just looked it up...
St. Louis Blues started playing and had the name in 1967. That might have inspired the Kansas City expansion team to take another name, which made them look at their American Royal show (the drama with Sen. Symington that forced early expansion all happened over late 1967 early 1968. Blues were named before the A’s left Kansas City). And thus the name shuffle.
by ddoubleheader on Nov 9, 2011 9:42 PM CST up reply actions
Yeah, that's probably right.
Although, there are plenty of teams that have the same name in different sports (Giants, Rangers, Cardinals).
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Z in KC
I actually think that such a situation makes a lot of sense for Zambrano and if I’m his agent, I’d strongly recommend that he consider it. First off, we need to assume that there are lots of teams that aren’t going to be willing to take a risk on Zambrano. If he wants to continue to pitch in the majors, he likely is going to have to settle for something that isn’t his top choice. So that being said, somewhere like KC would serve as a low key market with minimal media attention. There would be much less pressure on Zambrano and if he can reestablish himself there, he could go out and land himself a nice contract after this coming season.
by dmlichte on Nov 8, 2011 12:25 PM CST reply actions 1 recs
Billy Butler would like to have a word with you.
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It was a throwaway line - I hadn't even looked to see how KC's DH had done
And Butler can hit. Actually KC’s lineup was decent in 2011, except for a notable lack of HR power.
But when Bruce Chen is your ace….ouch. Z could be a star in that rotation.
rec'd
I agree with your thinking here. The lesser market could help him fly under the radar this year and just pitch. Plus, he’s got so much baggage here that simply moving to a new team will help him out, clear the slate some, give him determination to show the Cubs they made the wrong move, etc.
I think he’d accept nearly any team that wanted him. The key is, they’d “want” him, whereas the Cubs clearly don’t. Plus, KC is so bad that he immediately becomes a #2 SP or so on their team, whereas on most other teams he’d be more like a #4 or #5.
Because Greinke didn't have a mental lapse in KC
I’m sure Zambrano will be a perfect fit there!
Because Greinke=Zambrano
And Kansas City was the determining factor in Greinke’s struggles.
Or should everyone just move to Milwaukee to fix their issues? Paging Milton Bradley…
"Hey! If the moon were made of ribs, wouldja eat it? I know I would!"
No, Greinke does not equal Zambrano.
Greinke had a defined disorder — social anxiety disorder, which is being treated.
I’m not sure what’s wrong with Zambrano, but it’s not nearly the same thing.
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OK Multiple Choice Question of the day:
Which disorder most fits Carlos Zambrano?
A. Bi-Polar
B. Schizophrenia
C. Multiple Personalities.
D. Manic Depressive
E. None of the above, he is simply a big fat, overpaid, spoiled crybaby.
I am not a psychologist.
So I won’t answer. And I don’t think any of us can ever really know.
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If you were a psychologist
It would be unethical for you to diagnose a patient you hadn’t seen. And if you had seen him, it would be unethical to discuss one of your patients.
So really, there is no way to correctly answer that question.
Wouldn't he say Carlos is great?
Step Two: Develop an organizational plan
by Shanghai Badger on Nov 8, 2011 9:14 PM CST up reply actions
He would say that there were some abuse issues as a child.
He always says that. From Loveline through Celebrity Rehab. Dr. Drew is reprehensible.
MLBMilestone.com - following the numbers to Cooperstown
by D98 on Nov 9, 2011 9:38 AM CST up reply actions
F. Keith Moon syndrome
Where the patient periodically goes completely wacko and tears up everything around him.
by ClarkFan on Nov 8, 2011 5:56 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
coming from someone who suffers from bi-polar and manic depression....
i would say both a and d . i believe z stated in a tweet that he was down on himself for not living up to his contact . with his attempt to try so hard in every outing i would say he suffers from trying to live up to a standard that he can’t possibly achieve . which makes himself try even harder which adds to his depression . his major outbursts have came out of his own anger on himself not performing .
With the whole livestock expo
They have grade A beef. Zambrano demonstrated he’s grade A in another category.
by ddoubleheader on Nov 9, 2011 3:13 PM CST up reply actions
That wasn't my point
It was more that moving Z to another team will not solve any of his problems. It will solve ours as Cubs fans by not having to deal with it anymore.
Didn't work for Morgan.
Didn’t mend his attitude.
by ddoubleheader on Nov 9, 2011 3:11 PM CST up reply actions
Sure done deal.
Hosmer for Z, sounds fair right?
by Grockcubs on Nov 8, 2011 1:02 PM CST reply actions 1 recs
With full veto power, he's not likely to approve a trade to an AL team...
If he’s invested wisely, he already has enough to take care of several generations of Zambranos. At this point in his career, at-bats and distance hitting may mean more to him than anything, as he shoots for Spahnie and Wes Farrell’s records.
Of course, he might OK a trade to KC if the Royals agree to let him DH occasionally.
"Elder White! Look at the talent on those Cubs!" Harry Caray, KMOX Radio, 4/22/62
"And you have to wonder – What's the matter with Broglio?" Harry, KMOX, 5/24/64
Or if he wants to keep playing after 2012 and he thinks an AL would give him the best shot at a comeback.
Where have you gone, Kiko Calero. A nation turns its lonely eyes to you.
*an AL team
Where have you gone, Kiko Calero. A nation turns its lonely eyes to you.
I think Z would...
…make a fine pinch hitter, actually. As for a full-time DH, he’s not good enough.
"Sir,--It has been wittily remarked that there are three kinds of falsehood: the first is a 'fib,' the second is a downright lie, and the third and most aggravated is statistics." *The National Observer* (June 13, 1891): p. 93-94.
Myth-buster!
In his career, Z is 3-for-29 (all singles) as a pinch hitter with 14 strikeouts.
Care to rephrase?
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If Z was used *consistently* as...
…a pinch hitter, he’d probably be pretty good at it. His power has to work in his favor, perhaps getting him the walks that many managers actually want out of their pinch hitters. So I stand by my thought that he “would make a fine pinch hitter”—-with steady use.
"Sir,--It has been wittily remarked that there are three kinds of falsehood: the first is a 'fib,' the second is a downright lie, and the third and most aggravated is statistics." *The National Observer* (June 13, 1891): p. 93-94.
This is the Royals' MO.
1. Sign free agent declining veteran for cheap.
2. Hope for career year
3. Trade to a contender for prospects
4. Try to build through said prospects.
If the Cubs pay most of the salary, I am pretty sure KC would want him. They went after Juan Gonzalez one year after he was already jurassic, for God’s sake.
Can the club “threaten” Zambrano, and tell him he will be used in the bullpen only if he stays on the Cubs? Or that he will ride the bench for an entire year while his value plummets? Or is this not allowed?
Can the club "threaten" Zambrano, and tell him he will be used in the bullpen only if he stays on the Cubs?
This has already proven to be a failure. Why do it again?
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That's a good idea.
Let’s hinder the new manager with a player who is unhappy and been told to sit and sulk.
John Grabow - Who will pay you $4.8 million in 2012?
If nothing else maybe this news will get other GMs interested
and we can get a bidding war started so Theo & Jed won’t have to eat too much $.
I know, wishful thinking.
Just remember Joaquin Andujar's famous "word"
… “youneverknow”.
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They were just talking about this on 610 here in KC.
Carman is one of the on-air guys with Nick Wright from 2-6. He’s from Chicago and worked in the media there but now is here in KC.
As a Cubs fan, GTFO.
As a Royals fan, I think it’s a risky move that could totally help this team climb over .500 in 2012.
Go for it.
dp
"The riches of the game are in the thrills, not the money." --Ernie Banks
Will he get to wear a blue jersey all the time? That could be the clincher...
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
You think he would look good in these? I don't.
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I know your thoughts about these jerseys, and you’re wrong.
The powder blue jerseys are awesome.
"The riches of the game are in the thrills, not the money." --Ernie Banks
by dtpollitt on Nov 8, 2011 5:11 PM CST up reply actions 2 recs
Agreed!
I don’t want to play golf. When I hit a ball, I want someone else to go chase it.
by cub in louies nest on Nov 8, 2011 5:23 PM CST up reply actions
Yuck.
I do like the initials on the cap though.
♪ He held me very tight under stars so bright and whispered darlin' "Who do you love tonight?" I told him "baseball, baseball...." ♫
Powder blues are awesome.
They need the powder blue pants, too.
So do the Jays.
MLBMilestone.com - following the numbers to Cooperstown
by D98 on Nov 9, 2011 9:39 AM CST up reply actions
Ugh.
I don’t like them at all. Even this guy can’t make them look good:
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Well allow me to retort
This is baseball. This is America.
MLBMilestone.com - following the numbers to Cooperstown
That's a photo of a great player in an ugly uniform.
It was ugly 30 years ago when he wore it. It’s still ugly.
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That color is too pretty for a baseball uniform.
It reminds me of Cinderella’s gown.
♪ He held me very tight under stars so bright and whispered darlin' "Who do you love tonight?" I told him "baseball, baseball...." ♫
It's too pretty for a *football* uniform. It works awesomely in baseball.
Same goes for Oakland’s green jerseys. For whatever reason, it works in baseball. It’s summer.
Certainly, the Cubs shouldn’t wear this uniform like they tried in 1981. That’s probably where Al’s visceral reaction comes from.
But the Royals definitely should. This is one of the 10 or so most iconic baseball unis of the last 50 years, and probably #1 all time among road kits.
Or I guess every road team in baseball could wear a gray uniform with the name of their city spelled out in their team color in a boring font. I guess.
MLBMilestone.com - following the numbers to Cooperstown
by D98 on Nov 9, 2011 2:00 PM CST up reply actions
I don't like the A's green jerseys, either.
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A's look good in green
Baseball has too much red and blue. Nothing wrong with green or brown or orange. Rockies have shown purple can work in moderation.
If the A’s go to Silicon Valley, they can a green circuitboard to their arm patches beside the white elephant.
by ddoubleheader on Nov 9, 2011 3:19 PM CST up reply actions
The green is fine as an accent color.
Not as the main color of the shirt.
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Rays uniforms sucked
On the above list, they would be C.
They don’t know if they’re a manta ray or a ray of sunshine. And they deep sixed their unique colors to look like some hodgepodge imitation of other teams’ colors.
by ddoubleheader on Nov 9, 2011 3:15 PM CST up reply actions
So I take it Al,,,
that you also don’t like these uniforms?
by ddoubleheader on Nov 9, 2011 3:22 PM CST up reply actions
Some of the finest uniforms ever, those.
by South Side Expat on Nov 9, 2011 4:36 PM CST up reply actions
Really?
I thought most White Sox fans disliked those.
Honestly, I think the current White Sox uniforms are quite nice — classic look and attractive.
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The solid black uniforms
are nice, though there’s something about those old uniforms that’s nice too. They are admittedly a little goofy though.
by ddoubleheader on Nov 9, 2011 9:44 PM CST up reply actions
Also, to be fair, this isn't the original source.
It’s Kaplan’s write-up, but if you want to hear the original audio, go here.
"The riches of the game are in the thrills, not the money." --Ernie Banks
I don't look for it to happen
I just don’t see Z approving it, but it would be a low pressure situation. I think he would do well there. The Royals need pitching but would expect the Cubs to eat a lot of the contract. I would be interested to see what comes back in return.
I don’t want to play golf. When I hit a ball, I want someone else to go chase it.
by cub in louies nest on Nov 8, 2011 5:28 PM CST reply actions
Negotiating with Z
We remember the aftermath of/fallout from the Braves game last year. Precedent has been set that Z can be suspended for a month for actions detrimental to the team.
For ease of math, the same 30 days off would cost Zambrano 3 million with a recurrence. My question is this. Do sentences elevate with the MLBPA.
I don’t expect Zambrano to be ‘a good boy’ for all of 2012. If he flips out (while with the Cubs), if the punisment would elevate to 60 days without pay, that would be a 6 million hit. So….
If a relapse would cost Z a bit over six million, he would earn only 13 mil for the season. He would have no say n the manager/PC. If a relapse would cost him that much, could there not be a logic behind Theo et al saying….
‘Zambrano has two options. Play for the Cubs and risk getting suspended and losing a bunch of salary, or taking a 10-12 million dollar buyout, and being an instant free agent.’
10-25-2011. Theo Epstein joins the Cubs. Now, the fun begins.
‘Zambrano has two options. Play for the Cubs and risk getting suspended and losing a bunch of salary, or taking a 10-12 million dollar buyout, and being an instant free agent.’
I’d do this.
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Yeah, that's not at all how things work.
Punishment under the CBA doesn’t escalate based on what happened in the past – you can only suspend players based on the merits of the actual incident itself.
Zambrano would have to do something extremely bad to merit a punishment of 60 days. It’s debatable that the Atlanta incident merited the 30-day suspension – I wouldn’t be surprised at all if the Cubs lose that grievance and have to pay Z back for those 30 days.
So the idea you can not only punish him, at will, without pay for that long AND use the threat of that punishment as leverage to get Zambrano to do something he doesn’t want is pure fantasy.
I don't care where Z plays
as long as it’s not the Cubs.
♪ He held me very tight under stars so bright and whispered darlin' "Who do you love tonight?" I told him "baseball, baseball...." ♫
by katie casey on Nov 8, 2011 6:49 PM CST reply actions 1 recs
theo
can do his bs spin control all he wants.when he gathers all his info together he’ll know big z cannot come back.
from a royals point of view ....
give next to nothing for z in the last year of his contract while only paying him 6 million . use him to rebuild his own status and trade him to a contender getting back a much better return at the trade deadline . sounds like a good idea for kc . worse case scenerio is the royals contend .
If the Royals
are willing to take on $6M of the salary… have your GM call our GM.
"Stuff like this is why they should shut off the internet."
by Orval Overall on Dec 17, 2010 1:19 PM CST
If the Cubs eat 12MM they better get a pretty decent prospect out of it.
The Cubs can get 12MM value out of him if they just kept him and made him pitch rather than trading him.
Disagree.
You can’t bring Z back. Can’t. Simple as that. If you give a guy his 5th “last chance”, even from a new administration, you set a terrible precedent for players. The Cubs have to wash their hands of Z.
The 2012 season should be for cleaning up the rest of the mess, with a look at building toward 2013. That can start with getting Z out… at virtually any cost (my preference: negotiate an $11-12M buyout to make Z a FA and he can go where he wants).
"Stuff like this is why they should shut off the internet."
by Orval Overall on Dec 17, 2010 1:19 PM CST
Getting $6M back is at least $2M more than reasonable expectations
For $6M salary reliev, the Cubs would take to clean the toilets in Peoria.
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