Z to Cards or Yadier to Cubs???? hmmmmm

[ryno4ever]

Mark Buehrle still gets heat for wearing a St. Louis Cardinals cap at a World Series game last October, but Carlos Zambrano one-upped Buehrle before Thursday's Cubs game.

Zambrano motioned to reporters standing around the clubhouse and pointed to a box that contained a pair of red shinguards.


"It's a gift from my next catcher, Yadier," Zambrano said.

Zambrano was referring to St. Louis catcher Yadier Molina, although he didn't specify whether he was going to St. Louis or Molina was coming to the Cubs.


WHAT IN THE WORLD IS ZAMBRANO TRYING TO DO??????? DRIVE US ALL CRAZIER THAN WE ALREADY ARE?????

[Sheffield_&_Waveland]

Hmmmmm thats interesting. All I can think when reading that is what an idiot Z has turned out to be this season. No matter the circumstances thats another instance where Z needs to just keep his mouth shut. I don't like the idea of Molina coming to the Cubs just because I don't like him and I don't like the idea of Z going to St. Louis to shut us down but however if he keeps this kind of attitude he needs to go somewhere even if it is St. Louis!!!

[ryno4ever]

I can't see any sort of trade with someone in our division. Maybe this is Z's way of showing his impatience with the contract talks.... yes, he needs to keep his mouth shut and play AS A CUB becasue as of right now, today, he still wears pinstripes, and whether or not he wears those stripes in the future, he does now, and Barrett is currently our catcher...and to hint that Yadier is his new catcher is yet another indirect punch to Barrett, who seems as if he may not be able to take many more punches before too long. He sat most of the game in the clubhouse today....

[ARamfan]

I can't see any sort of trade with someone in our division. Maybe this is Z's way of showing his impatience with the contract talks.... yes, he needs to keep his mouth shut and play AS A CUB becasue as of right now, today, he still wears pinstripes, and whether or not he wears those stripes in the future, he does now, and Barrett is currently our catcher...and to hint that Yadier is his new catcher is yet another indirect punch to Barrett, who seems as if he may not be able to take many more punches before too long. He sat most of the game in the clubhouse today....

Wow. I hadn't heard any of this yet. Something is going on with Barrett and we all know that. He's very preoccupied to say the least. But Z saying what he did, just shows that he will keep on running his mouth no matter what the cost. He had a BAD ATTITUDE going into the season, and it seems that he's decided to continue with it. IMO, his ego is out of control and he's playing a dangerous game with the one good thing he's got going! :mad: He's still very young and maybe he'll learn.

[Sheffield_&_Waveland]

I would have to say that after this season I am not expecting to see Zambrano or Barrett in a Cubs uniform at the start of next season. These two will cross paths somewhere down the road and thats when big headed Z is gonna see it as his opportunity to get him again and the **** is gonna hit the fan again.

[ryno4ever]

what really upsets me about this whole thing is that we are finally seeing a resemblence of a "team"...and it takes one comment like that to show that these guys are not all on the same page. Z is there for Z...and not for his team. If he had any sort of respect for his fellow teammates, he would not have called over the reporters to make a big deal over a pair of red shin guards from his "new catcher"....

I got this article on chicagosports.com.... and there is another article in there about cliff floyd (http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/cs-070614sullyoncubs,1,7488673.story?coll=cs-cubs-headlines). He talks about the "players only" meeting they had and how he was so upset that one of the players went to the media about what was said....

Quote Cliff Floyd on that:
Floyd thinks the team is coming together, but he's still upset that information from the recent players-only meeting was leaked to ESPN, making it seem as though manager Lou Piniella's team was staging a revolt against him.

"You have to be upset, because this is our family," Floyd said. "I spend more time with these guys than at home. It would be like your fiance or your wife saying some things at home that shouldn't get out, and so you get upset about it."

Floyd said Piniella shouldn't have to read that some of his players aren't happy because someone decided to go public with a complaint.

"That's not right," Floyd said. "All he's doing is trying to win games. He can't go out and play for us. He's going to take the hit if we're not winning.

"If we're doing great, it's like he's the greatest man on the planet, but when we're not, he takes the hit and we get a pass. It's a double whammy.

"We cannot allow that to happen. Whoever said that should be ashamed of himself. The minute you start putting your manager out there or putting anyone in this locker room out there, you're not part of this family.

"Whoever it is, we don't want him here."


At first, I was thinking it was Barrett...which would explain quite a bit.... but now, I'm almost wondering if Z ran his mouth to reporters because it is obvious he is going to do anything to make sure his name stays in the headlines.

[ryno4ever]

You can bet that when Hendry and Lou see this article, fireworks are gonna fly in that clubhouse!

[ARamfan]

At first, I was thinking it was Barrett...which would explain quite a bit.... but now, I'm almost wondering if Z ran his mouth to reporters because it is obvious he is going to do anything to make sure his name stays in the headlines.

It doesn't sound like Barrett to me at all. It sounds like (the new) Z. He wasn't like this last season, but this seems to be his new M.O. If it was him, pardon the expression, (especially in Z's case), but he's 'gotten too big for his britches.'
If it was in fact Z running his mouth again, it just might be his undoing, as far as respect goes. Teams will want him for his talent, but he's going down the road of losing respect. :(

[Cubs_Addiction]

No, I don't believe it would be Barrett, either. I like the guy. He's generous with Lee's charity, and he tries to give 110% at every outing. But, he does seem distracted this season.

This is the first I've heard of the shin guards. The main reason I do not like Molina is because he's a Red Turd. But, he can throw base stealers and base stealer wanna be's out. Still, I'd much rather have Barrett.

[ChinMusic22]

Get whatever you can for Zambrano, and wish his arm the best. The guy is becming a clubhouse cancer. His biggest problem is he's not a smart guy, so comments he finds witty leaves everyone scratching their heads.

He has value and some solid prospects in return isn't too bad of an idea.

[NeifiPerezMVP2007]

Get whatever you can for Zambrano, and wish his arm the best. The guy is becming a clubhouse cancer. His biggest problem is he's not a smart guy, so comments he finds witty leaves everyone scratching their heads.

He has value and some solid prospects in return isn't too bad of an idea.

Yes. Z thinks if he give the reporters crap like this, it makes him a star. All I need to know is he calls himself "Big Z".

[zulusierra]

When I first read this story, I laughed b/c I thought it was funny. The problem I have w/ it is that he's saying this to reporters. This is the kind of joke you tell your friends. You don't put this kind of stuff out in the media just when it looks like the team is starting to come together.

[CubsFan23]

Maybe Barrett should have fought back harder and broke Z's jaw so he would quit spewing crap out of it. ANtics like this do not make you a star, they hurt your reputation and career in the long run.

If we trade Z, trade him to the AL so we do not have to face him on the mound or in the batters box.

[Bockstock]

1. Paul Sullivan reported this article

2. Z is OBVIOUSLY talking about soccer; I mean come on, the guy practices with the Fire on occasion.

[Jason]

I wouldn't look into this too much.

Just Zambrano running his mouth like he is good at.

Too bad Barrett is a puss... I would like to of seen him kick the sh*t out of "Big Z."

I love him as a pitcher b/c he has filthy stuff... but he is a d*ck off the field.

[Drockvb]

Link????

[ryno4ever]

Here's the link. (hhttp://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/cs-070614cubsbits,1,6116993.story?coll=cs-cubs-headlines)

[Drockvb]

Link isn't working for me.

But was it reported by Carrie Muskrat? So it is legitimate?

I don't know what to make of this. Mostly i think it has something to do with the Anti-Barrett sentiments going around. Maybe the clubhouse is turning on him. It may be nearing the end of the Barrett era.

[ryno4ever]

No, it was in the Chicago Tribune (http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/cs-070614cubsbits,1,6116993.story?coll=cs-cubs-headlines) by the Cubs beat writer, Paul Sullivan.

Zambrano changing colors?
Pitcher jests about red shinguards from 'my next catcher'

By Paul Sullivan
Tribune staff reporter

June 14, 2007, 10:44 PM CDT


Mark Buehrle still gets heat for wearing a St. Louis Cardinals cap at a World Series game last October, but Carlos Zambrano one-upped Buehrle before Thursday's Cubs game.

Zambrano motioned to reporters standing around the clubhouse and pointed to a box that contained a pair of red shinguards.



"It's a gift from my next catcher, Yadier," Zambrano said.

Zambrano was referring to St. Louis catcher Yadier Molina, although he didn't specify whether he was going to St. Louis or Molina was coming to the Cubs.


Streak busting
Alfonso Soriano ended an 0-for-21 skid with a first-inning double off Jeff Weaver. Soriano went 2-for-5, ending a slump that started in Atlanta after he was hit by Braves starter Tim Hudson. Manager Lou Piniella said that had nothing to do with Soriano's slump.

"He has hit a few balls hard," Piniella said. "The wind has been blowing in. Sometimes, probably, Alfonso tries to do a little bit too much and gets overanxious and swings at the first pitch and doesn't get a good pitch to hit.

"I think that probably has more to do with it than anything else. He has been streaky, and we need to get him back on that hot streak. You can see what he can do when he's swinging the bat the way he's capable."


Scoreboard-watching
Bob Howry, Scott Eyre, Michael Wuertz and Sean Gallagher decided to take a tour inside the center-field scoreboard before Thursday's game. They even got a chance to stick their heads out of the innings windows for a group photo

"It was pretty cool," Eyre said. "Gallagher will tell you I was shaking. I'm afraid of heights and I had a death grip on the rails walking up there. It's neat. It's actually looks a lot bigger than it really is inside."


Extra innings
Piniella said he will give Jacque Jones a brief "rest" to try to get him to relax. … The Cubs will go back to 12 pitchers by Tuesday's series in Texas when Daryle Ward is expected to return from his minor-league rehab stint. … A group from the Brains and Baseball Camp at Chicago City Day School, which teaches kids reading and writing skills by having them read Cubs stories in the Tribune, attended Thursday's game. … Clay Rapada made his major-league debut Thursday, retiring the only man he faced.



Copyright © 2007, The Chicago Tribune


That was the whole page.

[Drockvb]

thanks :)

The more i think about it, the more i wonder which scenarion seems more realistic. I don't think making a trade with the Cardinals is very realistic. Teams don't usually trade good players to division rivals. I think Zambrano joining St. Louis via a free agency signing is more realistic.

-but you never know.:confused:

[SkullKey]

" .... If we trade Z, trade him to the AL ..... "

Somewhere like ... Seattle - where pitching is needed.

[SkullKey]

" .... Zambrano joining St. Louis via a free agency signing is more realistic. ...."

That's what I was thinking - but consider the thoughts in this St Louis forum thread:

http://www.forums.mlb.com/n/pfx/forum.aspx?tsn=1&nav=messages&webtag=ml-cardinals&tid=77284

Can the River City Rats afford Zambrano? - much less Zambrano and Buerhle ?

I suspect there is much still to be learned (like the Barrett - Hill confrontation which proved to be anything but ... they were working together with no hostility of any kind involved) - beware the media. They decieve and lie ! None-the-less, as I alluded to weeks ago, I do not think Zambrano considers himself a Cub anymore. He is (to my mind) working out his tenure and going throught the motions to an extent I find unpleasant.

He is increasingly convincing me that he is an egomanic and a seditious element.

I really hope I am wrong but I cannot think of anything he has publically stated recently that might be considered in support of the Cubs and his team-mates. There must be something.

[ARamfan]

"

I do not think Zambrano considers himself a Cub anymore. He is (to my mind) working out his tenure and going throught the motions to an extent I find unpleasant.
He is increasingly convincing me that he is an egomanic and a seditious element.
I really hope I am wrong but I cannot think of anything he has publically stated recently that might be considered in support of the Cubs and his team-mates. There must be something.

I don't think he considers himself a Cub anymore either. It's ALL ABOUT HIM, which doesn't leave any room to be a good teammate. One thing is for sure, he is showing absolutely NO CLASS through all of this. :mad:

[LeeEila's/rant]

It doesn't sound like Barrett to me at all. It sounds like (the new) Z. He wasn't like this last season, but this seems to be his new M.O. If it was him, pardon the expression, (especially in Z's case), but he's 'gotten too big for his britches.'
If it was in fact Z running his mouth again, it just might be his undoing, as far as respect goes. Teams will want him for his talent, but he's going down the road of losing respect. :(

Nah , It is most likel Barrett to talk to the media. The local media has always been close to Barrett. He did the same thing in 05 . Chicago sports radio has always said how easy he is to talk to. Mike Murphy ( the SCORE 670 ) pretty much came out and said it was him.

[Ivy Killa]

It was just a joke....nothing more nothing less......at least that's what i keep telling myself.

[SkullKey]

But if it was a joke - where was the humor.

English is Zambrano's second language, maybe something got lost. Or it might be more media b.s.

I'm inclined to think there is something to it (something negative).

To back up a bit: exactly why did Zambrano's contract extension deal fall apart just because Zell stated he was going to sell the Cubs after the season ? I thought the signing was just about a "done deal". I also don't think we should forget Zell's asinine "joking" comment: "Chicago's not big enough for two Big Z's" . If there is any reason Zambrano considers himself already gone - that might be the reason right there. If I were Barry Praver (Zambrano's agent) I would read that as a blanket statement that Zambrano's time in Chicago is over !

[CubsFan23]

I hope he stays. He is a good pitcher and can help us. But his attitude is becoming a detriment. Maybe he thinks all this attitude will help him get a deal quicker.

[Bockstock]

I don't think he considers himself a Cub anymore either. It's ALL ABOUT HIM, which doesn't leave any room to be a good teammate. One thing is for sure, he is showing absolutely NO CLASS through all of this. :mad:

I can't believe all of the stuff I'm reading.

Zambrano was one of the only reasons to watch this team the past three years. All he asked was that a contract get done by opening day and he gave the Cubs a fair chance, more than alot of other star players have done (Beltran being the first that comes to mind when he left Houston)

After watching the Cubs shell out $62 million for two pitchers with ONE combined season under an ERA of 4 and $138 Million dollars to an OF who will spend half his contract in the mid to late 30s, how can he not expect to be paid when he is entering his prime with the kind of money the Cubs spent???

I predict this will end up as another Tribune debaucle. Hendry never sells high, so the Cubs will hang onto Z through the trading deadline, as long as there is "a chance" of having a winning season, missing a chance to deal him and get Grade A prospects. Z will then probably bolt after the year, with the Cubs getting nothing for him.

Such is life with management focused only on the short-term (because they know they are gone after the season anyway) and not the long-term picture. The Trib will spin the story, of course, in some way.

[BigZ38]

Maybe the Cubs should trade him but b4 he goes make a deal that he won't sign with his new team and the Cubs will get 2-3 blue chip prospects and then at the end of the year he leaves for free agency and re-signs with the Cubs. Not a bad idea right?

[TheBenjamin]

ok, the reason the deal fell through is because the tribsters dont own the Cubs anymore, and cant really spend anymore of someone else's money. Thats why Z isnt signed.

Z isnt doing anything more then any other player would do.

[Bockstock]

ok, the reason the deal fell through is because the tribsters dont own the Cubs anymore, and cant really spend anymore of someone else's money. Thats why Z isnt signed.

Z isnt doing anything more then any other player would do.


I don't blame Z for being pissed. This is an organization that pretty much brought him in when he was 17, then he sees very nice long term contracts being handed out around him (DLee, Aram, Lilly, Soriano). Somehow he gets passed up in Hendry's offseason shopping spree, despite the fact he has been with the Cubs longer than any of the mentioned players. It's almost insulting if you think about it.

[Cubs_Addiction]

Not only has he been there longer, he's been the work-horse of the pitching staff. Up until this year, minus the poor start last year, he's been practically lights out. He's the one who stepped up when Woods and Prior began to unravel with health issues. I think I'd be a bit upset as well if I was pushed aside like that.

However, he should still have more respect for the Cubs organization. Whether or not he gets his contract, he's still going to be one of the most sought after pitchers if or when he becomes a free agent. So, it's not like all his hard work will be for nothing. And, I don't think his antics will be much of an issue, if any, for him getting that big contract with any team. I've seen other professional sports players get big contracts with worse.

[KingKong10]

I think Zambrano is headed to the Yanks via FA next year. No way the Cubs trade him to the Cardinals and MO is not a big enough market for Zambranos head.

If anythign i think this comment was made by him to try to threaten the Cubs - more or less he's saying - "sign me or i may sign with the cardinals and then you'll have to face me 4 or 5 times a year."

and honestly i really don't mind that prospect because he is erratic and will be a lot more emotional facing the Cubs in '08 than the '08 Cubs roster will be facing him.

i'd guess worst case secnario if he says in the NL Central and we faced him 5 times next year we'd go 2-3. if i'm reading the game logs correctly Oswalt (who i think could be considered is the best/most consistent pitcher in the division) - the Cubs had a winning record vs him last year.

so i think we keep him this year as Hendry is on his last gasp here to win. no one will give you zambranos worth in a trade and prospects won't help for a run this year.