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Around SBN: Knicks Beat Lakers With Familiar Strategy

"Big Z" Playin Hardball with Cubbies

"[Cubs general manager] Jim [Hendry] spent a lot of money. I hope he has more for 'Big Z.'"

That could be the quote of the offseason. Carlos Zambrano has apparently declared that the Cubs have until opening day to sign him to a Zito-esque deal or he will walk after 2007.

Of course this makes me happy bc it appears to be a lose-lose deal for the Cubs. Devote 20 million per season to a pitcher or lose your ace and workhorse.

I also love that he referred to himself as Big Z.

The full story can be viewed over at foxsports.com

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It's probably
just posturing. BUT for a guy who has never won more than 16 games (which is damn good but not great), the references to himself in the third person are rather ridiculous. He's actually so perfect for the Cubs--a big mouth and a lotta noise built on a whole bunch of maybe(s). I hope this turns into a huge distraction for him and their team this year, as we all know how well "Big Z" deals with distractions. Unfortunately, I do think it's all posturing. He knows the Cubs won't have a chance of contending without him and Hendry knows it too. I do love that he has them over a barrel though. I expect the most ridiculous deal in baseball history, which ought to help hamstring the Northsiders for years to come. They've already spent north of 300 million--what does 80-100 million more (and 8 years) matter? Go Cubbies :-)

by rockin redbird on Feb 13, 2007 2:30 PM EST reply actions  

too bad we can't trade for him
i think we would all like to plug him into our rotation. as to the hamstringing, they've been in the gutter for several decades, popping their heads out very rarely for a breath. if they are screwing themselves for the next ten years, so what, it's only another ten years. my point is this: i don't really think they would be in a better position if they spent wisely. and they seem to have an awful lot of money, which is a little scary. luckily, very luckily, we've got pujols. i don't know what we'd do without the best player in the game.
Evident The Wash.

by brock on Feb 13, 2007 6:43 PM EST reply actions  

poppin' their heads out

nice phrase as Small Bear mgt are indeed a bit like turtles - poppin their head out to spend a little cash this year as opposed to the annual strategy of cash rich team milkin' their loyally blind fan base

I don't blame them for spending - why not?  Especially Hendry as he is out of job either way if they don't deliver - might as well go out blazin'.  He should have done it as soon as he got rid of Sammy instead of waiting around for Prior and Wood to be co-Cy Young winners

Little Bears are putting themselves on a limb though with dollars devoted to Lee, Ramirez, Soriano, Lilly and probably Z.  Long-term commitment to a core group paid off for the Cards (MV3 & Izzy) but that strategy can kill if one or two of the core flame out early

If that happens to Scrubs, look for the turtle to stick its head back in for a while and just focus on good times at Wrigley.  

by Hinkster on Feb 14, 2007 11:02 AM EST reply actions  

On the other hand.....
You keep your core position players - Lee, Ramirez, Soriano.

You sign Z to some massive amount of money to make his ego happy.

You think hey, maybe Prior won't suck.

You either win the whole thing in 07 or maybe 08.

If things aren't working, maybe you've gotten decent years out of Marquis and Lilly.  And you trade them for a bunch of prospects.

I'm wondering if Hendry might have had a synapse.  They can afford to throw money at a core of players - then do what the Cards do and fill in with cheap players.  

by sdrone on Feb 14, 2007 5:25 PM EST up reply actions  

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