Zambrano Talks on Hold
You may want to wait just a little longer on that Carlos Zambrano Cubs jersey you were thinking of buying.
Just a few days ago it seemed as if Zambrano and the Cubs were on the verge of finalizing a 5-year $80 million dollar contract extentions. But those talks are apparently on hold now that the Cubs owner, The Tribune Co., has been sold to Sam Zell, a real estate tycoon, who plans to sell the Cubs in the offseason.
Most felt that 5 yrs/$80 million was a pretty darn good deal for the Cubs. If it really is, then the new owner may want to let the deal go through as having Zambrano around for the long-term could make the Cubs more attractive to potential buyers.
Tom Goyne is the author of Balls, Sticks, & Stuff, a Phillies-centric site, and maintains the Phloggers’ Pheeds page, a source for the latest commentary from around the "phlogosphere".
Zambrano Close To Deal With Cubs
According to Ken Rosenthal, the Cubs and Carlos Zambrano are putting the finishing touches on a five-year, $80MM deal. Zambrano’s 2007 contract would be erased by it, making him a Cub through 2011.
It’s not quite the San Diego discount, but the Cubs have been signing some below-market deals lately. I guess there’s something about Wrigley Field and Cubs fans.
Surprisingly, PECOTA would only give Zambrano about $52MM over the next five seasons. I wondered if the trends in Zambrano’s peripherals didn’t sit well with our favorite personified projection system, but it’s actually a workload concern. BP’s system sees 2007 as the last 200 inning season of his career, noticing shades of Mark Gubicza.
Rockies Offer Kim To Orioles
Ken Rosenthal’s recent column is chock full o’ rumors as usual. The highlights:
- The Rockies offered Byung-Hyun Kim to the Orioles for reliever Todd Williams but were turned down. The O’s may yet work out a deal with the Mets for Williams. Kim, meanwhile, may end up a bargain for some team if the price is that low. Really, he’s better than most teams’ fifth starters.
- Rosenthal agrees with most that Carlos Zambrano will sign with the Cubs by Opening Day. However, a couple of other big-name free-agent starters to be probably will hit the market. Jason Jennings and Jake Westbrook are two of the younger members of the ’08 free agent starter class. Mark Buehrle, Joe Kennedy, Kyle Lohse, and Kim will all be under 30 as well.
Cubs, Zambrano Still Talking
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?
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?
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?
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
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
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?
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.