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Cubs, Zambrano Still Talking

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Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times says the Cubs spoke with Carlos Zambrano’s agent yesterday, and they’ll talk more this week regarding a contract extension.  Wittenmyer expects the five-year deal to include the $12.4MM he’s making this year and come in around $75-85MM total.

Pure speculation, but Buster Olney believes the Cubs could announce a Zambrano extension on Opening Day (Monday) to create some positive vibes to start the season.  Olney is thinking five years, $85MM – the top end of Wittenmyer’s range.

At this point, it seems highly unlikely that no agreement is reached by Opening Day.  Sorry, Mets fans.

Carlos Zambrano a Met In ’08?

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Ah, Big Z, always good for a quote.  SI.com’s John Donovan got Carlos Zambrano talking yesterday and has an interesting column up.

Donovan describes a fan yelling "See you next year with the Yankees" to Zambrano, to which he pointed and smiled.  Later asked about the Yankees, Zambrano said he didn’t see it because they have "too many rules."  He seems to want to remain in the NL because of his love for hitting, and mentioned the Mets.  Of course, for the right price, I’m sure the Yankees could lure him to the AL.  Maybe they’d let him pinch-hit once in a while.  Also, Paul Sullivan’s source said Zambrano wouldn’t mind playing for Ozzie Guillen and the White Sox after this year. 

Zambrano’s next pact could approach a $16MM AAV.  Donovan seems to believe he’d exceed seven years on the open market, though the Cubs and Zambrano are set at five seasons.  It’s unclear whether those five seasons would include 2007. 

Donovan writes that the Cubs and Zambrano are making progress on a deal for five years worth around $75-78MM.  And last Sunday, BP’s John Perrotto said to look for Z to sign a deal in the $80-90MM range this week.

I think the Cubs will retain their ace; they’ve got about six days left to hammer it out.  Jay Mariotti feels that a lack of a Zambrano contract would be a counterproductive distraction, yet that Zambrano would win a Cy Young.  I see.

Should Cubs Trade Jacque Jones?

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Respected Cubs beat writer Bruce Miles of the Daily Herald writes that a Jacque Jones trade is within the realm of possibility.  However, Miles does not think a Jones trade makes sense.

Miles points to the reasonable $9MM due to Jones over the next two seasons.  He mentions how Jones’s left-handed bat and defense are needed.  Plus, his .284/.334/.499 performance last year was solid (the average NL RF hit .268/.345/.453). 

These are all good points.  In my opinion, the Cubs should certainly listen to offers but only if they help the team.  I know the Cubs don’t want to upset the $136MM man, but he should be moved to right if Jones is dealt.  Felix Pie’s defense would go a long way, and he can develop his bat with low pressure at the bottom of the order.  That alignment would make the Cubs a better team compared to the current plan.  I wrote that the Jones signing was a mistake at the time, and he proved me wrong for one season.  Why not sell high?

But who cares what I think?  Vote here on whether the Cubs should trade Jones. 

Carlos Zambrano Close To Deal?

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Carrie Muskat of MLB.com quoted Carlos Zambrano today saying the he was "close."  Apparently, he meant close to signing a contract extension before Opening Day.  This despite Muskat reporting no formal talks between Zambrano’s agent and Cubs GM Jim Hendry lately.

Opening Day is Big Z’s deadline; otherwise he will "wait until after the season when [the Cubs] win the World Series."  That’d be something.  If that happened the Cubs would probably hand him a blank check.

Cubs Looking For Middle Infielder

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According to Ken Rosenthal, the Cubs are trying to acquire another middle infielder so that they can play Mark DeRosa and Ryan Theriot simultaneously.  I’m not a big believer in Theriot’s offense, but preventing Jacque Jones from facing lefties is long overdue.

This may be related to the vague rumor I mentioned yesterday, that the Cubs had a scout at a recent Jays/Braves game.  Just a guess, but maybe the Cubs have their eye on 23 year-old second baseman Martin Prado?  I don’t know – neither of these teams is stocked with middle infield depth.  Why not just use Eric Patterson?

UPDATE: An astute reader pointed out that Yunel Escobar is the most likely middle infielder on the Braves to be dealt.  Many teams have expressed interest in him, and it makes sense that the Cubs would be one of them.

UPDATE 2: David O’Brien mentioned in his AJC blog today:

"Talked to a scout before the game who had spoken with a Cubs official this week and heard they (Cubs) are looking for a utility man. Chris Woodward’s name was mentioned, but I don’t know whether the Braves are considering moving him or not."

So, Woodward.  Nothing too exciting but at least we can put the crazier rumors to bed. 

Cubs To Resume Talks With Zambrano

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We have 19 days left until the season starts, ample time for Carlos Zambrano and the Cubs to come to an agreement on a five-year contract extension.  According to the Chicago Sun-Times, talks will resume this weekend when Zambrano’s agent returns to Phoenix.

I projected Zambrano at a 3.41 ERA and 1.24 WHIP in my 2007 RotoAuthority Fantasy Guide.  Big Z took quite a tumble yesterday in an attempt to score himself a spring training inside-the-park home run.  Check out the video here.

Cubs Looking To Deal?

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MLBTradeRumors.com has word from a reputable source that the Cubs are looking to make a deal.  They are after one more solid player, but I’m not sure what position they’re trying to fill.

A possibly related piece of info is that a Cubs scout was in attendance at a recent Braves/Blue Jays spring game.  That pretty much sums up the extent of what I know; anything else would be speculation.

Browsing that box score, I’m not sure what would make sense.  Josh Towers is available and was on display, but how does that help the Cubs?  Jason Marquis can already post a 5.50 ERA.  The Cubs have Jacque Jones to spare, but neither the Braves not the Jays need a right fielder.  Take your best guess in the comments; I really don’t know what could be cooking.  Please, no Andruw Jones speculation.

A-Rod Not Headed To Cubs

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I spent a good amount of time speculating on possible new teams for Alex Rodriguez in 2008, especially the Cubs.  I even assigned the Cubs’ chances at 15%.  However, Rodriguez was fairly frank yesterday about that idea:

"Whoever writes that couldn’t be more wrong."

He loves the American League, the Yankees, and the nonstop media buzz.  I do think Chicago is a top below New York and Boston for media insanity.  We’ve got just two major newspapers here, and only Jay Mariotti can be counted on for something offensive on a regular basis.

Meanwhile, David Wright professed his willingness to move off third base if the Mets could acquire Rodriguez.  The only alternative for Wright in ’08 would be left field, followed by first base after that.

Cubs To Resume Talks With Carlos Zambrano Today

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According to Carlos Zambrano himself, his agents and Jim Hendry will resume talks about a contract extension today by phone.  Gordon Wittenmeyer of the Chicago Sun-Times says the parameters are five years and an AAV between $14.6-18MM.  Makes sense, and I imagine a full no-trade would be in there too.

Zambrano had a lot to say yesterday, promising a Cy Young for himself a World Series title for Chicago.  He later qualified that last one by saying he’s "almost sure." As a Cubs fan, I enjoy the bravado. 

I once attended the 1998 Cubs Convention.  That ended up being a playoff season for the Cubs, their first since 1989.  I had the privilege of meeting Kevin Tapani.  I told him I hoped he’d win 20 games that year (I thus take most of the credit for his career-high 19 wins despite his 4.85 ERA).  Tap told me, "it’d be a great season if that happened."  It was an appropriate response for a past-his-prime battler.  I feel that Zambrano would tell a 15 year-old kid that he’ll win 25 and hit 25 home runs too. 

Tim’s take: Zambrano signs a five-year, $85MM extension with the Cubs before the season begins.

Alex Rodriguez And The Cubs

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UPDATE: In a related story, Jon Heyman of SI.com lists a slew of teams that inquired about Rodriguez’s availability this winter: the Angels, Dodgers, White Sox, Cubs, Giants, Phillies, Diamondbacks, and Indians.  Heyman says the White Sox and Dodgers were the most persistent.  None of the offers went anywhere given Rodriguez’s unwillingness to waive his no-trade clause.

Bob Raissman of the New York Daily News has an imposing mustache as well as some insight into Alex Rodriguez’s next possible destination.  The article involves Lou Piniella in his underwear as well as a lot of crying and one tender kiss.  I found it touching.

Anyway, Raissman believes, based on an upcoming HBO interview with Rodriguez, that a reunion with Lou Piniella in Chicago would be a dream come true for him.  Rodriguez responded to the idea thusly:

"He’s on a different team in a different league. My memories of Lou are in the present and the past, not the future."

This is not the first time Rodriguez has been connected to the Cubs.  Last July, later confirmed by other sources, Bleed Cubbie Blue broke news of the team’s trading deadline interest.

I would imagine that Rodriguez would not play shortstop for the Cubs for the duration of his 5+ year contract.  More likely to me: A-Rod plays shortstop for three seasons, through 2010. At that point, Derrek Lee’s contract will be up and Aramis Ramirez might be ready to shift to first base.  Ramirez is a Cub through 2011 or 2012.

Tim’s take – Chance of Alex Rodriguez signing with the Cubs in the ’07-’08 offseason: 15%.

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