Zambrano Issues Ultimatum to Cub Management
In a headline that makes a Cub fan gulp, Carlos Zambrano has indicated that the Cubs must give him a contract now "OR ELSE" he will be gone after 2007. What better way to bring negotiations to a climax, huh? My take on this is that this is Zambrano letting his real feelings show. He has himself pumped up. He is a proud man, and he feels he has earned a new contract with a whole lot of money (and he has). Whether his ego and agent will be satisfied in a deal between now and arbitration is a very important question for the Cubbies. It would be ironic for them to quibble over the last million or two, given what has gone on in the market for lesser talents. My guess and hope is that they reach a deal extending for four years, with increasing pay increments and bonuses galore.
See the ESPN story: http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2763803&campaign=rss&source=ESPNHeadlines
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Years
It's going to take more than four years to sign Zambrano, after what Barry Zito received. I'd much prefer a Roy Oswalt-type extension, which looks like a bargain now.
the More Years the Merrier
Hey, the more years they give him the merrier it is, but I am thinking he may not need to see more than four or at most five, figuring that if he really does well, he could command an even more spectacular premium next time around. If it's too long, he gets toward "old" next time around.
Respectfully,
FEARLESS BEAR
Re: Zambrano Issues Ultimatum to Cub Management
Fork it over. Give him Zito money. Unlike Soriano, I do not have hesitations about giving him a long term deal. He's worth it. He's due for a no-hitter this year, which will just make him more expensive.
Plus on the entertainment note, he's fun to watch. :o)
Let's Waste Money
Yes, its true that cheapness has generally hurt the Cubs during the Tribune Co. Purgatory. However, blindly throwing huge sums of money out the window on a "more years the merrier" basis is not the way to make the World Series either. What's needed is an intelligent approach to making baseball decisions. Not necessarily Moneyball, but definitely not Hendryball either.
As for heaping big bucks on someone like Zambrano who could break down during the length of a proffered contract and who has lost several games per year due to his overly emotional state, that is a surefire way to keep the team out of the playoffs.
Bottom line: Zambrano should get the bug bucks/more years only if he agrees to a non-guaranteed contract. Otherwise, he should be dealt by the deadline for prospects and let someone else shoulder the burden of the hot headed one.