Zambrano to the Bullpen?

Hells Satans · Post by **Hells Satans** » Wed Apr 21, 2010 9:44 am

Seriously? What a panic move. The Cubs are a joke.

Red Sox Nation · Post by **Red Sox Nation** » Wed Apr 21, 2010 9:50 am

Now that's an expensive set-up man. Carlos Silva price tag just went up for FAAB (If available)

The Mighty Men · Post by **The Mighty Men** » Wed Apr 21, 2010 9:52 am

Brutal. I need a new team.

Return of the Aces · Post by **Return of the Aces** » Wed Apr 21, 2010 9:53 am

It is time for Piniella to retire. I think that he has now lost his mind.

JohnP · Post by **JohnP** » Wed Apr 21, 2010 10:02 am

Put him in left field. Upgrade on defense for sure.

Navel Lint · Post by **Navel Lint** » Wed Apr 21, 2010 10:08 am

Wow!

I actually thought that Zambrano was going to have a descent year. But if Lou thinks that Carlos Silva is the answer, the Cubs are in big trouble.

ToddZ · Post by **ToddZ** » Wed Apr 21, 2010 10:12 am

Though it will be cool to see Zambrano pinch hit for the pitcher.

Cobb · Post by **Cobb** » Wed Apr 21, 2010 10:13 am

Originally posted by Navel Lint:

Wow!

I actually thought that Zambrano was going to have a descent year. But if Lou thinks that Carlos Silva is the answer, the Cubs are in big trouble. Lint- He did have a descent year, all the way down to the bullpen!

The Franchise · Post by **The Franchise** » Wed Apr 21, 2010 10:15 am

He looked pretty nasty to me last time out? Yes, he got crushed in his first start, but he seemed to be recovering from that.

Oh well, his value is garbage now.......

Return of the Aces · Post by **Return of the Aces** » Wed Apr 21, 2010 10:16 am

Can we shift him to utility now? I heard that Lou was thinking about batting him cleanup tonight.

Return of the Aces · Post by **Return of the Aces** » Wed Apr 21, 2010 10:22 am

Lou would pull this crap when Zambrano is scheduled to have a 2-start week. Well, I guess there is always hope for a vulture win or even a save.

Navel Lint · Post by **Navel Lint** » Wed Apr 21, 2010 10:29 am

Originally posted by Cobb:

quote:Originally posted by Navel Lint:

Wow!

I actually thought that Zambrano was going to have a descent year. But if Lou thinks that Carlos Silva is the answer, the Cubs are in big trouble. Lint- He did have a descent year, all the way down to the bullpen! [/QUOTE]Ugh! My Cubs blind spot!

They make me so crazy I forget to proofread.

Return of the Aces · Post by **Return of the Aces** » Wed Apr 21, 2010 10:43 am

Originally posted by Hells Satans:

Seriously? What a panic move. The Cubs are a joke. You know how it is a panic move? The reporter who announced this on twitter has a quote from Lou, that this is "not a panic move".

NorCalAtlFan · Post by **NorCalAtlFan** » Wed Apr 21, 2010 10:47 am

Originally posted by Trash Man:

Put him in left field. Upgrade on defense for sure. just defense? this is why i love the cubs. they can't get out of their own way. stay golden cubs, stay golden.

Return of the Aces · Post by **Return of the Aces** » Wed Apr 21, 2010 10:50 am

I really hope this is only a temporary move. This could be a sign that Lou Piniella is really at his "breaking point".

[ April 21, 2010, 05:06 PM: Message edited by: Return of the Aces ]

Hard Heads · Post by **Hard Heads** » Wed Apr 21, 2010 11:24 am

Piniella should have been fired years ago. Leave Carlos Silva and Tom Gorzellany in your rotation and take out Zambrano, nice move numb nuts! What's next? Putting Marlon Byrd and his career high 46 walks in the lead off spot? Oh, he did what??????

KJ Duke · Post by **KJ Duke** » Wed Apr 21, 2010 11:26 am

I'm not sure I can call myself a Cub fan anymore, a day I thought would never come.

Two critical mistakes that I saw a mile away. One, trading Greg Maddux. Two, hiring Lou Pinella over Joe Girardi when Girardi was practically begging for the job.

I haven't liked this team much for the past several years. As the legend and popularity of being a Cub fan has grown, the team has descended from that of being a hard-working untalented team of likable players to that of a collection of overpaid, under-producing complacents. Ughhh.

Please trade Zambrano to San Diego. The Padres can toss them Garland while the Cubs eat salary.

swampass · Post by **swampass** » Wed Apr 21, 2010 11:35 am

Originally posted by KJ Duke:

I'm not sure I can call myself a Cub fan anymore, a day I thought would never come.

Two critical mistakes that I saw a mile away. One, trading Greg Maddux. Two, hiring Lou Pinella over Joe Girardi when Girardi was practically begging for the job.

I haven't liked this team much for the past several years. As the legend and popularity of being a Cub fan has grown, the team has descended from that of being a hard-working untalented team of likable players to that of a collection of overpaid, under-producing complacents. Ughhh.

Please trade Zambrano to San Diego. The Padres can toss them Garland while the Cubs eat salary. cant agree more. its time for old Lou to move on to other pastures, like ones in a far far away galaxy. dude is a disaster. people bag on dusty for his handling of pitchers, well lou seems to be like that across the boards. he has had oodles of talent on this team and he has done nothing with it. he did his best years ago to throw away world series talent, but that reds team was soo good that they overcame his minuses as coach. the problem for the rest of the league and fans is that everyone still thinks that is the norm.

as a zambrano owner who needs saves... hey marmol blow out your arm tonight!!

KJ Duke · Post by **KJ Duke** » Wed Apr 21, 2010 11:45 am

Blog post - could be trying to make Zambrano re-think his no-trade clause.

Makes sense. The season is heading into the toilet anyway. Trade away all the bad contracts, start fresh next season with new ownership and Sandberg as manager.

Ando · Post by **Ando** » Wed Apr 21, 2010 11:49 am

KJ,

Die-hard Cubby Blue Boy here.

They didn't trade GMaddux. He was a free agent and they offered 5-25M, ATL topped with 5-27M.

Fifteen years later....they spend money like drunken sailors and let the best pitcher of my generation walk away for a measely 3M over 5 years.......

.......nothing surprises me anymore with this team - and I thought the Ricketts may offer a glimmer of hope!

NOT!

KJ Duke · Post by **KJ Duke** » Wed Apr 21, 2010 11:56 am

Originally posted by Ando:

KJ,

Die-hard Cubby Blue Boy here.

They didn't trade GMaddux. He was a free agent and they offered 5-25M, ATL topped with 5-27M.

Fifteen years later....they spend money like drunken sailors and let the best pitcher of my generation walk away for a measely 3M over 5 years.......

.......nothing surprises me anymore with this team - and I thought the Ricketts may offer a glimmer of hope!

NOT! You're right on Maddux. They gave him away, even worse. I recall the story being he wanted to sign with the Cubs and would've signed for the same or less as the offer, but they dragged their feet and ultimately just pissed him off by not communicating, so he left. I think it was one of the former team Presidents, a Trib accountant that got promoted and didn't know s*** about baseball that blew the deal.

kgrady · Post by **kgrady** » Wed Apr 21, 2010 1:54 pm

Perhaps Lou Piniella is simply trying to get himself fired. It could be that's he's had enough of managing perennial underachievers like Alfonso Soriano. Sure he could resign, but if he's fired instead he gets the rest of the money owed to him on his contract. I don't know how else to explain this bizarre move.

Kevin

DOUGHBOYS · Post by **DOUGHBOYS** » Thu Apr 22, 2010 1:25 am

I'll go beyond devil's advocate here and agree with the move. But then again I haven't owned Zambrano in years, let alone this year.

I think it is a ballsy, dynamic move.

Piniella could have done the easy thing and put Silva or Gorzelanny in the bullpen. That move would have weakened both the starting staff and bullpen. The Cubs already have two suitable lefties in the pen in Grabow and Marshall. Putting Silva down there with his great start would serve no good purpose and send a wrong message.

Zambrano actually could flourish in the role. He has always had the, 'Hey Mom, look at me' attitude. Perfect for a stint in the bullpen.

This does not have to be a permanant move. With the luck of the Cubs, one of the other starters will probably go down soon. But for now, it is the right move.

In fact, I'll even give them a pat on the back for disregarding Zambrano's salary. In this day and age money usually reigns supreme, in this case, the Cubs didn't let money make the decision.

Something they should have thought about before signing Soriano

GOD Loves You · Post by **GOD Loves You** » Thu Apr 22, 2010 1:46 am

Originally posted by DOUGHBOYS:

I'll go beyond devil's advocate here and agree with the move. Agree too. What good is Zambrano as a SP if most of his starts are going to end with blown saves, that is if he can even keep the lead himself?

I'd rather have him down there helping protect wins multiple times during the week, opposed to hoping to get a win for himself.

I would venture to say he's going to greatly help their win total, so instead of 67 wins, they will end with 75.

Scott Boras · Post by **Scott Boras** » Thu Apr 22, 2010 2:48 am

I started a post agreeing with Dough, but then it occurred to me I was defending Carlos Silva. I had to stop.