Zambrano Close To Five-Year Deal?
According to Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune, Carlos Zambrano announced yesterday that he’s close to signing a five-year contract with the Cubs. However, Sullivan’s source says the two sides still have a long way to go and Zambrano has yet to receive a concrete offer.
Based on comments from Zambrano and Cubs GM Jim Hendry, the two parties seem to agree on a five-year length. Capping at five instead of six or seven years is a huge win for the Cubs, even if they go up to $17MM annually. Most likely, the sides will settle around five years and $80MM. That’d be a significant loyalty discount for the Cubs. On the other hand, Zambrano’s deal would be on par with those of Roy Oswalt and Chris Carpenter.
Zambrano Issues Ultimatum
In a television interview yesterday, Carlos Zambrano drew a line in the sand. He’s leaving the Cubs if he doesn’t have a contract extension before the season begins. He even referred to himself in the third person. Zambrano expects to be compensated like Barry Zito.
A review of the Zito contract: seven years, $126MM guaranteed with a full no-trade clause. Zito’s deal also includes an eighth year option that could be reached based on innings pitched, as well as bonuses for winning the Cy Young. Zambrano is a full three years younger than Zito. And fair or not, pitching in the NL has kept his raw ERAs at 3.41 or less in each of his four full seasons. While that may not make Zambrano the better pitcher, he’ll get credit for it in his contract.
It’s not hard to picture Zambrano as a $20MM player on the open market, all things considered. And if he really wants to maximize his value he could take a three-year deal a la Rafael Furcal. Zambrano was formerly represented by Scott Boras but now employs Barry Praver and Scott Shapiro. Praver is best known for representing Sidney Ponson.
Zambrano Issues Ultimatum
In a television interview yesterday, Carlos Zambrano drew a line in the sand. He’s leaving the Cubs if he doesn’t have a contract extension before the season begins. He even referred to himself in the third person. Zambrano expects to be compensated like Barry Zito.
A review of the Zito contract: seven years, $126MM guaranteed with a full no-trade clause. Zito’s deal also includes an eighth year option that could be reached based on innings pitched, as well as bonuses for winning the Cy Young. Zambrano is a full three years younger than Zito. And fair or not, pitching in the NL has kept his raw ERAs at 3.41 or less in each of his four full seasons. While that may not make Zambrano the better pitcher, he’ll get credit for it in his contract.
It’s not hard to picture Zambrano as a $20MM player on the open market, all things considered. And if he really wants to maximize his value he could take a three-year deal a la Rafael Furcal. Zambrano was formerly represented by Scott Boras but now employs Barry Praver and Scott Shapiro. Praver is best known for representing Sidney Ponson.
Cubs Finally Sign Floyd
After weeks of being close, the Cubs have signed outfielder Cliff Floyd to a one-year deal with a mutual option for ’08. The AP has the terms. It’s $3MM guaranteed, with bonuses that can bring it to a maximum of $17.5MM over the next two seasons.
The homecoming was a long time coming as Jim Hendry has had various ties to Floyd for many years. He hoped to acquire him for Sammy Sosa in ’04.
Floyd will make a solid fourth outfielder for the Cubs. His signing doesn’t leave much room for uber-prospect Felix Pie, but Jacque Jones could still be traded.
Erstad Options
According to Ken Rosenthal, free agent center fielder Darin Erstad is expected to choose a team this week. The 32 year-old has a slight chance at signing with the Angels or Cubs, but is more likely to choose between the Marlins or White Sox.
It appears that Florida is Erstad’s best shot at regular playing time, given that his competition is Alex Sanchez. With Chicago Erstad would split time with Brian Anderson and perhaps Ryan Sweeney.
Rosenthal reports that the Cubs hope to acquire a young, cheap CF to hold the fort until Felix Pie is ready. This comes despite the recent proclamation that Alfonso Soriano would play center. Pie has an interesting PECOTA projection – Baseball Prospectus forecasts a .289/.342/.481 line from him as a 22 year-old in the Majors.
Cubs Still Close On Floyd
The Cubs are still close to an agreement with Cliff Floyd, though you have to question the word "close" when it’s been that way for more than a month. The Daily Southtown has some new info on the situation today, though.
Jeff Vorva reports that the deal may include a player option for 2008. Additionally, the Pirates and several AL West teams have shown interest in Floyd. I think the A’s have been connected to him before.
Cubs Close On Floyd
I know I’ve used that headline at least twice before. But the Chicago Sun-Times is reporting that a Cliff Floyd deal might be completed this week.
The catch was getting Alfonso Soriano to sign off on trying center field. It appears that he’s willing to try it – it was revealed to the crowd at the Cubs Convention yesterday. Soriano could shift to right field in 2008 when Felix Pie is ready.
Floyd will be the fourth outfielder for the Cubs. He’d make a solid bat off the bench. Lou Piniella seems to like Matt Murton and he’ll hopefully get 500 ABs.
Meanwhile, the Daily Southtown reports that Jacque Jones could still be traded if the Cubs think Pie is ready to debut in right.
Carlos Zambrano Speaks
This weekend’s Cubs Convention gave all the local papers a chance to snag some quotes from Carlos Zambrano concerning his contract negotiations.
From the Sun-Times:
"I don’t want to talk contract when the season starts. It has to be before the season starts or spring training."
"There’s a [good] chance I sign with the Cubs. This is a business. I want to stay here, but like I said, this is a business." MLBTR note: if he didn’t actually say "good," doesn’t that change this quote drastically?
"You take less than Zito take and everybody talks about you, saying, ‘Zambrano sign a bad contract.’ You take more and everybody says, ‘Zambrano is taking advantage.’ I think the thing is to be around what Zito signed for, more or the same."
"He [Jim Hendry] spent a lot of money. I hope he has more for Big Z."
From the Daily Herald:
"We’re talking right now. (Today) will be the second time my agent meets with Jim Hendry."
From the Tribune:
"Zito is a great pitcher, and it’s good for him he got that contract, and I think that will help me."
Cubs Press Conference
Cubs GM Jim Hendry is holding a press conference in about a half hour. There is speculation floating around that it is to announce a long-term deal with Carlos Zambrano.
However, it could be related to Jeff Samardzija committing to baseball.
UPDATE: Currently it appears that the Cubs were only announcing the Samardzija decision.
Cubs Still Looking To Trade Jacque Jones?
The Cubs have certainly been looking to trade right fielder Jacque Jones all offseason. It’s not a matter of performance or salary – Jones played a respectable right field last year for a mere $3MM. He’s due $9MM for 2007-08.
But as Chris De Luca reports, Jones hasn’t been comfortable in Chicago since the beginning of last season. His source indicated that both parties feel a trade would be best. However, De Luca makes a good point in that the Cubs need Jones right now. Why trade him and then sign Steve Finley or someone to bridge the gap until Felix Pie is ready? The Cubs should just keep Jones and use him in center. He hasn’t played more than 10 games in CF since 2000, but it’s worth a shot.
De Luca also says the Cubs are reluctant to sign Cliff Floyd until Jones is dealt. The Cubs have been aggressively trying to swing a Jones to anywhere trade all offseason.
Meanwhile at the Tribune, which owns the Cubs, Paul Sullivan mentions that "Floyd has told friends he intends to be a Cub, while Jones isn’t expected at the weekend fan convention, indicating he’s likely on his way out of town."