Zambrano Jokes About Cardinals

OK, this is barely newsworthy.  But it's still rumorish and I have gotten a few emails on the topic.  Yesterday in the clubhouse, Carlos Zambrano joked that his next catcher would be Yadier Molina.

I think it's just Z messing around, but it doesn't take much to stir up Cubs fans.  It's worth considering: could the Cardinals sign Zambrano after the season?

St. Louis doesn't have much salary coming off the books in just Kip Wells and David Eckstein.  And they'll need a replacement at shortstop if they don't retain Eckstein.  What's more, several players will see their salaries escalate by a million or so.  Some major creativity on Walt Jocketty's part would be required to keep the 2008 payroll under $100MM. 

I can see the Cardinals flirting with Zambrano this winter though.  Jocketty often flirts with the top free agent starter.  In the past it's been Mike Hampton, Pedro Martinez, and A.J. Burnett, according to Larry from Viva El Birdos.

Speaking of VEB, Larry had a humorous baseball-related exchange with some lawyers while up for jury-duty.  Have a read.

Comments

[Aduncaroo]

As a cubs fan...this kind of pissed me off. I know its probably "Z being Z" or whatever, but I really don't even get the humor in it. Even if I weren't a cubs fan, how is this a funny thing to say? I'm thinking he might be trying to get the Cubs to reconsider his contract being put on hold....thats the only way that it makes any sense to me. He is an idiot...but a talented idiot.

[dan1to]

maybe he is asking for the Cubs to get Molina? Or maybe he just talks too much.

[statnut]

I think if Zambrano gets to free agency, the Mets have to be one of the favorites. They have the money, and the perfect clubhouse for him.

[themonkeypirate]

Hmm...are the Mets going to spend excessively for him though? I doubt it. Aren't they paying a hefty amount for Delgado now since Florida backloaded the contract? What about Glavine? Does he have an option for next year too? Along with Pedro that will be an expensive rotation

[statnut]

There is an option on Glavine's contract, though his recent comments in Sport News made it seem like he was going to retire. Delgado and Pedro only have a year left, Green is a FA at the end of the year, as is Alou. Trust me, the Mets can afford. They have a new stadium in 2009, and they're making a ton off their network.

[Gleebo]

How does a

Barrett, Zambrano

for

Reyes, Molina, Isringhausen

Don't try telling me you wouldn't rather have Izzy in the 9th over Dumpster. I dont care if Dempster is half a decade younger, Isringhausen is still someone Id trust more than anyone we currently have in the pen.

[camarodude39]

Nope. That would defeat the purpose, because then Yadi wouldn't be Zambrano's next catcher. Why would the Cards trade their young cather and one of their better young pitching arms for two free agents to be. Might be a good idea for the Cards to dump Izzy's hefty salary while he is still pitching great and open up some money, but I think the Cardinals are hoping he can stay at the top of his game for another year or so until Chris Perez is ready to take the post as closer.

[nrmax88]

"Hmm...are the Mets going to spend excessively for him though? I doubt it. Aren't they paying a hefty amount for Delgado now since Florida backloaded the contract? What about Glavine? Does he have an option for next year too? Along with Pedro that will be an expensive rotation"

It is the Mets though, they have money to spend. Glavine will most likely be gone after this year, probably retiring, although never say never. I think El Duque has options for next year, but he wont be making too much. Maine and Perez are both cheap. I dont know if they will go after Z, but it wont be cause they cant afford him. Lo Duca also becomes a free agent after this year. Same for Alou and Green.

[gatling]

The Mets will likely have to add payroll if they add a guy like Z, but I don't see that being a problem. The Mets have quite a few guys that have options/are free agents after this year. LoDuca is a FA, but the Mets don't have a catcher to replace him in the system. If they go for Z, I doubt they pursue Barrett. I could see them making a big play for Posada, I think he could stay effective for 3 to 4 years in the NL, but he'll require a raise from the $6.25 that LoDuca makes. Green and Alou both have options, if one gets retained my money is on Alou due to his connection with Minaya and the cheaper deal. Glavine has an option, and I wouldn't be surprised to him either retire or ask the Mets to buy him out so he can go back and pitch one last year in Atlanta. Beltran, Reyes, Wright, and Delgado's contracts go up a total of $13.5 million next year. Mota, El Duque, Valentin, and Schoenweis combine for an extra $4 million or so next year. Pedro's deal actually gets $3 million cheaper next year, so that plays in the Mets favor.

If they let Glavine and Green go by exercising the buyouts in their deals, the Mets Payroll would go up by about $2.4 million next year, not counting a catcher, and raises for arby eligible guys Chavez, Sosa and the big one, Perez. I could see Perez getting a raise of anywhere from $3-5 million in arbitration, although I could see the Mets signing him to a 3-5 year deal to keep that cost down in 2008. I'd say it's possible the Mets would need to raise their payroll to around $145-150 million next year to retain key guys, cover raises, and land two important guys like Posada and Z. I don't think that's out of the question for them.

[jay]

Ummm, the same Carlos Zambrano that guarunteed us that the cubs would be in the World Series this year?

[RotoAuthority]

One and the same

[touchmymonkey]

How about Barrett/Theriotand either Guzman or Cherry for Molina. Cards get an arm, a catcher they can possibly resign on the cheap since he has damaged his value and a infielder for 5 years. Cubs settle catching position long term but hurt ss position abit - unless they go with Derosa. Feasible? needs slight tuneup? or totally off the wall?

[touchmymonkey]

That is of course provided Molina comes back healthy from DL

[greenbaydude1232]

Thats way to much to give up for Molina. He was just joking. Let it go.

[Gleebo]

What do you think the ceiling is for a Zambrano trade once we fall out of contention and have no confidence that he will return?

Playoff teams would kill to have him if we dont need him for such. Yankees, Mets, Phillies, Braves, Dodgers, and Diamondbacks would all probably think of trading for him down the stretch.

I imagine the Braves to be the least likely, because there's no way they would have a chance to resign him as a FA.

Id love to get some of the D-Backs young talent.

I wouldn't mess with the Mets, because you know Omar will surely try sneaking Lastings Milledge in ANY trade. We dont need a rapping Jock Junior anywhere near our team.

[StLknows]

so now we're gonna have C Zambrano and Miguel Cabrera next year. I haven't had to dream about next year in June for a while. and I emphasis DREAM