Carlos Zambrano's name continues to surface in trade rumors, while the Cubs continue to deny that he's available.
The latest report out of New York, from the Post's Joel Sherman, cited two AL officials as saying the Cubs are "definitely dangling" Zambrano, while also conceding he won't waive his no-trade clause.
If Zambrano won't waive his no-trade clause, why are the Cubs even listening to offers?
General manager Jim Hendry declined to discuss the report, or a previous report that the New York Yankees approached him about Zambrano before acquiring Javier Vazquez from Atlanta, reiterating he doesn't discuss trade talks.
As for Zambrano's future with the Cubs, Hendry simply said: "He's got full no-trade rights, which he negotiated into his contract. I fully expect him to come back in 2010 and pitch like the old 'Big Z.'"
Photo: Carlos Zambrano takes in the Bears-Eagles game in November. (Nuccio DiNuzzo/Tribune)
Hendry said he's encouraged by reports that Zambrano has worked out all winter at his Chicago home and plans to report to camp in good shape. Zambrano blamed himself for his back problems last summer, calling himself "lazy" when it comes to doing his prescribed exercise routines.
Zambrano's agent, Barry Praver, had no comment on the latest rumors. He's repeatedly pointed out that Zambrano won't waive his no-trade rights.
But that doesn't mean the Cubs have to hang up on everyone that calls and inquires about Zambrano, as the Yankees recently did.
Cubs management, like most Cubs fans, were disappointed in Zambrano's 2009 season, which resulted in only nine wins. He has too much talent to settle for that kind of season, and has not pitched the last two seasons like the man who earned a $91.5 million contract in 2007.
"I don't want to put any pressure on him, but this is a young man who should approach 20 wins every year with his stuff," manager Lou Piniella said at the Winter Meetings.
But the pressure is already on Zambrano in 2010, and how he'll respond is anyone's guess.
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Zambrano will only pick Dodgers or Mets. If it is the Mets, Reyes has to be in the package. If it is the Dodgers, we are talking about Kershaw. I laughed when a NY Writer suggested giving Castillo and Pagen in a Zambrano trade. If Zambrano becomes a problem in 2010, put him in the bullpen and do not let him pinch hit. Sure a few Gatorade jugs will be lost, but so will the Cubs.
Whatever.
Making a "story" out of other teams (Yankkes) calling to see if Zambrano is available as they do their to-do list isn't really a story. Get a clue and come up with a real story or don't even "write." Why njot interview Jimbo and find out why he wouldn't give up his star prospect when Granderson was available? Seems the Yankkes beat us to everything, starting pitching, our CF hole, Girardi, and more WS rings while Jim is still trying to make it to the next level while splashing his money 2 years ago on a guy that no one wants when they have him (Soriano) and platoon players (DeRosa). Will the Cardinals overtake us again? Now that we have the best manager (according to Jim) and the best hitting coach (according to Jim) maybe we need an upgrade at GM.
Where are all of these whiny Cubs fans coming from? I have been a Cubs fan for all of my 36+ years and I have lived and died bleeding liters of Cubbie blue. Blaming everybody for the Cubs woes is pointless and pathetic. First off, the Byrd signing and the Bradley's trade are both good things. Start looking at the positives and solutions and quit focusing on the negatives. We all make mistakes in life but when we do we don't have everybody throwing us under the bus. Not to mention that Hendry and Pinella have at least given us hope and have given the Cubs their best run in my aforementioned 36+ years.
With that said we still need a right handed setup man for the pen. My favorite "rumor" is Hendry looking into Frasor in Toronto. He's a good pitcher and would fit in nicely. Change Ho Park would be another nice option perhaps, could serve as the swing-man they have mentioned. Contreras is also an OK option that has been mentioned. I guess I'll go on record as saying I like those pitchers in that order.
As for the 2B/SS situation, unless they can sign a player better than what they have for a one year deal as a stop-gap until Castro is ready, I would rather we stick with what we have.
The bench should be filled from within the organization (preferred) or trade.
I know we argue about not having a leadoff hitter year after year but the good / great ones don't exactly grow on trees. Unless something comes along, Theriot followed by Fukudome is efficient to set the table for Lee, Ramirez, Byrd.
All you idiots don't remember what the Cubs organization used to be....They lost and never never were even close, or went to the playoffs...They made it two straight years, and then had most of their starting line up out all season...Ramirez will be healthy, and quit bitching about Soriano, you try swinging with one good knee and most hitters wouldn't even come close to hitting 20 homeruns like he did with one knee...He'll hit 30 this year as will Lee and Ramirez, Big Z will bounce back and Marmol will close games unlike that idiot Kevin Gregg....Cubs will win in 2010 as no other team got stronger...And message to Lou: Did you see what the Dodgers did to St Louis in the playoffs...Friggin walk Pujols and never never pitch to him....
Yea I always liked wood at least he battled through his injuries he just had the worst luck and horrible mechanics.
But he was never better than Zambrano.I dont understand why so many people complain about the contracts do you think yankee fans complain about contracts? They got guys with 275 ,161,189,189 million deals.LOL Cubs fans complain about every freakin thing.Zambrano took a major discount to resign with the cubs and the fans complain about it.So I guess you'd rather have a rotation with ryan Dumpster's sorry ass and jeff smardizija and randy wells.That rotation would SUCK and no team would be worried about facing the cubs.The D backs admitted in 07 they were relieved piniella pulled Z early because he was shutting them down,As Soon as lou pulled him(to save him for game 4 like an idiot manager would) marmol gave up a HR.
Cubs need to move Zambrano and/or Soriano. Their bloated contracts will sink the cubs in 3-4 years. They won't even be playing here then and still will be on the books.
Hendry should only give out 1 year deals until some of these anchors are cut loose. Byrd, 3 years 15 million. The giants just signed Derossa 2 years for 8 million. Anyone starting to see a pattern here?
I was talking about greg maddux from the 1st stint with the cubs.Zambrano has been the best cubs pitcher since then.
You say Kerry Wood was the best his 1st 8 years huh?? You sure about that?
Lets look
Woods best Full season as a cubs starter was 2001 12-6 3.36 era or 2003 14-11 3.20 Era.Lets not mention the fact that he was on the DL 12 times and missed the whole 1999,2005,2006 and most of 2007 with injuries.Wood pitched phenomanal in 03 NLDS.he missed 2 months in 2004 too
Zambrano best season was 18 wins, his 2nd best were 16 wins twice and he has never had an era over 4.Most importantly Z hardly use to get injured and has thrown a no hitter and flirted with several others.He only had double digit losses twice in his career.
Z's career stats 108 W's 65 L's 3.51 ERA
Wood 80 W's 64 L's 3.67 ERA
Being that wood has been with the cubs 4 full seasons longer than Z I would have to disagree with you.Carlos Zambrano has been the cubs best most consistent pitcher since maddux in 92.
And they say cubs fans are knowledgable and know baseball.Yea fuckin right
"Any cub fan that wants Z traded is an Idiot.He's the Cubs best pitcher since maddux."
Really? When, 2003?
"IF the cubs traded zambrano that would make ryan dumpster the ace you do know that right? You cant be this stupid"
I've watched Zambrano blow start after start for at least three years *AND* not have a clue that his own emotional immaturity is the cause. You're the one that sounds stupid.
If Zambrano is our best pitcher since Greg Maddux (wrong; Kerry Woods was, his first eight years), then we haven't had crap. Know what that means? Get some real starters in here. And get an effin' lights-out closer in here that knows what he's doing. We haven't had one for quite a while.
Here we go again.
Zambrano has SUCKED for three years. Get this white elephant the hell out of Chicago.
Looks like the new owner is gonna sit on his thumb like past Cub owners. Zambrano is as much a useless primadonna as Bradley was.
Same as it ever was.
When the Cubs trade Zambrano for Castillo they will free up money to sign Podsednik and Garland. They could add 3 guys with World Series experience and still have enough to get Carrasco for the bullpen. What is Hendry waiting for?
Big Z is overrated. If i was paying sum one that kind of money, he better be winning atleast 15 or more game's ever year period. he hasn't even came close to winning a Cy young awawrd. need to get rid of this guy. He suck's. I've watch him pitch every game, i don't think he that good. His stuff is excellent, but he a fruit sort of a picnic basket.
Any cub fan that wants Z traded is an Idiot.He's the Cubs best pitcher since maddux.IF the cubs traded zambrano that would make ryan dumpster the ace you do know that right? You cant be this stupid
Happy new year jim hendry. This years team looks a lot like last years.still need an outfieder,second baseman,a lead-off hitter,a starter,a right handed reliver and oh yeah,some power hitting off the bench since you tradded fox.there are the couple of holes you were talking about. Oh yeah more hole to fill:A NEW G.M.!!!
Is it possible if little Z flops in Chicago his market value will be somewhat higer than if he were to flop on another team. Or maybe just maybe he doesn't want to be traded to an American League team knowing he would get crushed by better hitting teams.
I envy teams like the Phillies who took the initiative to get better by trading a "very good' pitcher Lee for an even "better' pitcher Halladay. Good teams don't sit back and wait for things to happen like the Cubs, they make things happen.
Zambrano isn't going anywhere he'll still be a Cub for years.
Most trade rumors are invented by bored sports writers with time on their hands.
Two things i take from this article. First, it really makes me realize that from a character aspect, there's nothing "Big" about Zambrano at all. When someone's willing to pay that much money guaranteed, and then Zambrano goes all lazy, that says alot to me about Zambrano as a man.
Secondly, the thing i've really started to notice about Jim Hendry is, his inability to negotiate with player's agents. He gives far too much than he receives in negotiations. Hendry seems to have a really poor ability to pick up on a person's character, and has an even poorer perception on foreseeing that player in the long run. He's terrible about not allowing himself an out in a negotiation, in case of a Zambrano or Soriano, to where it's obvious the player is unfulfilling their end of the contract.
Why is Jim Hendry so obsessed with trading away players (ie. Zambrano, Bradley, Miles, Fox, etc.) not focusing on making the team better by filling holes and adding quality free agents??? I'm thinking our GM knows he's a lame duck and has already quit trying to make the Cubs better - stop the bleading Rickets and get a new GM now!
I know recent money has been spent poorly, but how about getting in on Matt Holliday? He's a perfect fit and it would be the worst if he actually does sign with the Cardinals for the next 6-8 years.
Zambrano for Luis Castillo? Are you nuts? Trade your ace for a below average 2nd baseman......The only way I would trade Zambrano is if we get some TOP prospects back in return.
hey robert lagear, i just love how you love playin' with those cubbie fan heads. HA HA!
You would have to give me a lot more than a 36 year old castillo.that trade don't make sense.ellsbury for zambrano makes more sense!
I like the Zambrano to the Mets for Luis Castillo rumor because it makes sense . Z may agree because there are 3 Venezuelans on that team already and the trade would give the Cubs a new second baseman and lead off man plus about $11 million in salary savings for this year to spread around to their other needs.
Zambrano wants to remain a cub.
This shows how dumb the guy really has to be.
Most players want to get away from a loser team which provides the players and fans with third world facilities.
Today is the one year anniversery of the new years eve nightmare for cub fans. Hendry traded derosa to Cleveland and signed miles,all to make room for Bradley. Maybe this year he will trade ramierez and lee for pat burrel and Ronny cedeno!
Hendry wouldn't know a good trade if it jumped up and bit him!
Zambrano wants to pitch for the Sox. The Cubs need a shortstop. The Sox can use Carlos in middle relief since there are no spots available in the starting rotation and that way Hudson can get some more time at AAA. Let me propose a trade. They will take Zambrano and lets say 60 million for Brent Lillibridge. Sounds like an even trade to me.
if anybody else needs to leave the Cubs organization I would say it's Hendry.
Say it ain't so, PAUL!
KINGOFCHITOWN81: BRING BACK KERRY WOOD ??? He was the problem in the 1st place. He just couldn't get the job done, and you wanna bring him back ??? Wasn't that series with CLEVELAND enough to convince you where he blew both save opportunities that he is just another WANNABEE and has been for some time already ???
As far as BIG ZZZZZZZ goes, he will approve a trade; mark my words. All you gotta do is make it worth his while and send him to a team that he prefers. Didn't he say he would like to pitch for the OZ on the south side of the city or the BOSTON RED SOX ??? I'm sure he wouldn't mind throwing for the YANKS with the kind of fire power they have. That's because they have a G.M. who HAS A CLUE !!! As far as JIM HENDRY expecting ZZZZZ to have a good 2010 season, the problem is that his pure ability has slipped to 10% of the time while the other 90% equates to a KINDERGARTEN MENTALITY !!! Nobody can argue that this guy is CLEARLY OVERRATED and OVERPAID !!!
KINGOFCHITOWN81: BRING BACK KERRY WOOD ??? He was the problem in the 1st place. He just couldn't get the job done, and you wanna bring him back ??? Wasn't that series with CLEVELAND enough to convince you where he blew both save opportunities that he is just another WANNABEE and has been for some time already ???
As far as BIG ZZZZZZZ goes, he will approve a trade; mark my words. All you gotta do is make it worth his while and send him to a team that he prefers. Didn't he say he would like to pitch for the OZ on the south side of the city or the BOSTON RED SOX ??? I'm sure he wouldn't mind throwing for the YANKS with the kind of fire power they have. That's because they have a G.M. who HAS A CLUE !!! As far as JIM HENDRY expecting ZZZZZ to have a good 2010 season, the problem is that his pure ability has slipped to 10% of the time while the other 90% equates to a KINDERGARTEN MENTALITY !!! Nobody can argue that this guy is CLEARLY OVERRATED and OVERPAID !!!
Big Z is not going anywhere. He didn't get the wins due to the bullpen. Bring back Kerry Wood! We will be back in the playoffs in 2010.
Hendry's got a pulse! You wouldn't know it by the number of players he's watched whiz by and sign with other teams. Cameron, Bay, etc., etc.
Yeah, we expect back and picth like the old 'Big Zzzzzzzzzz"