A few items on the Cubs and Cardinals..
- The Cardinals control Adam Wainwright for the next two seasons for $21MM but the hurler could be up next for a long-term deal with the team once he shows that he's recovered from Tommy John surgery, writes Jeff Gordon of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. While the 30-year-old won’t be immune to future injuries, Gordon writes that his work ethic offers some promise of success as he gets older.
- Former Cubs third baseman Aramis Ramirez defended the job that Jim Hendry did in Chicago, writes Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times. While recognizing Theo Epstein's past success, Ramirez says that it'll take time for the President of Baseball Operations to find success.
- Ramirez also touched on Carlos Zambrano's issues in Chicago and says that his ex-teammate hurt the club with his suspensions, Wittenmyer writes.
- Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com credits the Cardinals for making smart decisions in the months following Albert Pujols' departure.
What Aramis failed to mention is that his slow starts to the season also hurt the club.
Zambrano hurt his club by being a below average pitcher, the suspensions are just gravy after that. Ramirez’s slow starts were caused by Wrigley being a massive pitchers park the first 2 months of the season more than anything else.
40 years ago, characters like Zambrano would have been put in a strait jacked and confined to a mental ward, then spoon fed various medications for his antics.. His pitching would have have not have come into play even.
Except Zambrano as a full time starter has never had a losing season and has only had 1 season with a E.R.A over 4! So I dont get how he is a below average pitcher!!!!!