Oh boy.
The last post opined about the Cubs still needing to find more pitching for the 2013 campaign, including looking toward bottom of the barrel, secondary free agents.
One suggestion was problem child, Carlos Zambrano.
It was not meant to be an affirmative direction, just a commentary on how the Cubs have been operating the last two seasons during the slow rebuild.
But today, reports announce that the Cubs did sign an out-of-favor problem child, but not Z.
MLBTR reports that the Cubs signed Dontrelle Willis, citing Heyman/CBSSports. As stated, Willis officially gets an invitation to minor league Spring
Training, but could get a look in big league camp if he's throwing well.
The 2003 NL Rookie of the Year with the quirky wind-up wound up retiring from baseball when his total command abandoned him.
Willis, 31, retired last mid-season after he allowed eight runs in 6 1/3 innings with the Orioles'
Triple-A affiliate. Willis
last appeared in the big leagues with the Reds in 2011, when he pitched
to a 1-6 record, 5.00 ERA, 1.520 WHIP, with 6.8 K/9 and 4.4 BB/9 in 75 2/3 innings across 13
starts.
Willis returns to the start of his professional career (2000 draft choice), to a bad, pitching starved Cubs team. This is another example of the Cubs trying to find warm arms to eat up spring training innings with the long shot prayer that one of these injured or head cases can make a miracle comeback and contribute to the big club for at least part of the season.
He was last a full time starter in 2007 for Florida. He started 35 games, going 10-15, 5.17 ERA in 205.1 IP. His last winning season was in 2005, going 22-10 with 2.63 ERA.
Willis' return to the Cubs can only be considered a winter diversion than a possible solution.
Showing posts with label Zambrano. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Zambrano. Show all posts
January 5, 2013
January 4, 2013
ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZs
The Cubs are still on the down-low looking for pitching to tide the club until the minor league system starts generating Epstein starters (TBD; 2015 or later).
Epstein was on a Boston radio show lamenting about hard it is under the new collective bargaining agreement to sign free agents who have a qualifying offer. Teams are unwilling to sign those players and lose their high first round picks (the Cubs have the #2 choice; I say the Cubs should choose 3B Kris Bryant, but other writers claim the Cubs will draft another pitcher). Epstein said that in the current market, it is actually better for a player to be traded mid-season than run out his contract with his old club (to avoid that dreaded noose of the qualifying offer). In other words, a rent-a-player deal with the plan of trading him after a half season is what Epstein is looking to do in the short term. Baker and Feldman signed one year deals to prove themselves, not to the Cubs, but to the open market after the 2013 season.
So it is probable that the Cubs will try to trade off one, two or three starting pitchers before the July, 2013 trade deadline. Epstein said he values "impact" drafts where a team can control a player for six professional seasons.
So, the Cubs need to continue to search the free agent patch for more potential starters since last season's Iowa fillers turned out to be terrible.
What about a 31 year old veteran of 12 professional seasons, mostly as a starter? The free agent has career numbers of 132 wins, 91 losses, 3.66 ERA, 1.331 WHIP, 1.82 K/BB ratio and 35.8 WAR. Last season was not so good; a 7-10 record, 4.49 ERA, 1.496 WHIP in 20 starts. But considering Feldman's 2012 season was worse at 6-11, 5.09 ERA, 1.383 WHIP in 21 starts, this 31 year old free agent seems like a candidate for short term duty with the Cubs.
But he is not on the radar. In fact, he is not on any team's reported radar.
For he is the problem child, Carlos Zambrano. Even pitching starved Rockies fans blog about a rotation upgrade, but know history is not kind to Z. He started off fine for a month with Ozzie's circus in Miami, but then control problems and walks doomed Zambrano into another tirade to a final bullpen demotion on a bad Marlins team.
If Epstein is running a pitching M*A*SH unit for arms returning from injury and Tommy John surgeries, does Epstein have room for a psychiatric unit to sign Zambrano? Zambrano may be too toxic now for any team to take another chance on him.
Epstein was on a Boston radio show lamenting about hard it is under the new collective bargaining agreement to sign free agents who have a qualifying offer. Teams are unwilling to sign those players and lose their high first round picks (the Cubs have the #2 choice; I say the Cubs should choose 3B Kris Bryant, but other writers claim the Cubs will draft another pitcher). Epstein said that in the current market, it is actually better for a player to be traded mid-season than run out his contract with his old club (to avoid that dreaded noose of the qualifying offer). In other words, a rent-a-player deal with the plan of trading him after a half season is what Epstein is looking to do in the short term. Baker and Feldman signed one year deals to prove themselves, not to the Cubs, but to the open market after the 2013 season.
So it is probable that the Cubs will try to trade off one, two or three starting pitchers before the July, 2013 trade deadline. Epstein said he values "impact" drafts where a team can control a player for six professional seasons.
So, the Cubs need to continue to search the free agent patch for more potential starters since last season's Iowa fillers turned out to be terrible.
What about a 31 year old veteran of 12 professional seasons, mostly as a starter? The free agent has career numbers of 132 wins, 91 losses, 3.66 ERA, 1.331 WHIP, 1.82 K/BB ratio and 35.8 WAR. Last season was not so good; a 7-10 record, 4.49 ERA, 1.496 WHIP in 20 starts. But considering Feldman's 2012 season was worse at 6-11, 5.09 ERA, 1.383 WHIP in 21 starts, this 31 year old free agent seems like a candidate for short term duty with the Cubs.
But he is not on the radar. In fact, he is not on any team's reported radar.
For he is the problem child, Carlos Zambrano. Even pitching starved Rockies fans blog about a rotation upgrade, but know history is not kind to Z. He started off fine for a month with Ozzie's circus in Miami, but then control problems and walks doomed Zambrano into another tirade to a final bullpen demotion on a bad Marlins team.
If Epstein is running a pitching M*A*SH unit for arms returning from injury and Tommy John surgeries, does Epstein have room for a psychiatric unit to sign Zambrano? Zambrano may be too toxic now for any team to take another chance on him.
January 5, 2012
ZAMBRANO TRADE
Cubs problem child, Carlos Zambrano, was rewarded for his bad behavior because he got his wish, to join fellow off-center manager Ozzie Guillen in Miami. The Cubs have traded Zambrano and $15 million in cash (to offset the $18 million owed Z in 2012) in exchange for Marlins starter Chris Volstad. The deal is still subject to league approval.
Volstad is a marginal fifth starter. Zambrano was traded at his low value point, to the only team with any tangible interest in him. Jim Hendry suspended Z after he bolted the locker room last year (and that matter is still pending with the league). Of the three "can't miss" starters the Cubs had (Wood, Prior and Zambrano), only Z made it consistently to the mound to actually pitch. He won 125 games (1 no hitter) and a career ERA of 3.60.
Volstad, a first-round draft pick in 2005, finished 5-13 with a 4.89 ERA last season after a 12-9 showing the year before. The 230-pounder made $445,000 last season. Tribune writer Dave Van Dyke states he could get up to $2 million this year in arbitration. That figure seems high for a player with bad stats in 2011 (and in essence the player's first "contract" season - - - where performance could land a big payday in arbitration. ) However, Volstad is really costing the Cubs $15 million plus his salary, or the highest paid 5th starter in the majors). The Cubs control his rights through 2014 which is the key element in most of Epstein and Hoyer's roster moves so far this off-season.
Zambrano was just 9-7 with a 4.82 ERA in 24 games last season, missing the last two months when the Cubs placed him on the restricted list for bad behavior. He goes to a team that has suddenly spent money on big free agents (Reyes, Buerhle) and now expect to contend in the NL East.
The trade gets rid of a trouble maker, but leaves the Cubs starting rotation in shambles. As it stands now, the Cubs starting rotation is (2011 stats):
1. Garza, 10-10, 3.32 ERA, 1.258 WHIP, 198 IP
2. Dempster, 10-14, 4.41 ERA, 1.450 WHIP, 202.1 IP
3. T. Wood, 6-6, 4.84 ERA, 1.289 WHIP, 106 IP
4. Sonnanstine, 0-2, 5.55 ERA, 1.458 WHIP, 35.2 IP (minors 3-6, 4.82 ERA, 1.411 WHIP, 56 IP)
5. Volstad, 5-13, 4.89 ERA, 1.425 WHIP, 165.2 IP
A staff that has a combined 31-45 record (.408 winning percentage). If your starting rotation is the precursor of your final team record, this projects to a woeful 66 win season. But Epstein and Hoyer are looking for "bounce back" seasons from every player they have signed or traded for this off-season. That is going to be a really hard sell, especially if Garza is traded next.
Volstad is a marginal fifth starter. Zambrano was traded at his low value point, to the only team with any tangible interest in him. Jim Hendry suspended Z after he bolted the locker room last year (and that matter is still pending with the league). Of the three "can't miss" starters the Cubs had (Wood, Prior and Zambrano), only Z made it consistently to the mound to actually pitch. He won 125 games (1 no hitter) and a career ERA of 3.60.
Volstad, a first-round draft pick in 2005, finished 5-13 with a 4.89 ERA last season after a 12-9 showing the year before. The 230-pounder made $445,000 last season. Tribune writer Dave Van Dyke states he could get up to $2 million this year in arbitration. That figure seems high for a player with bad stats in 2011 (and in essence the player's first "contract" season - - - where performance could land a big payday in arbitration. ) However, Volstad is really costing the Cubs $15 million plus his salary, or the highest paid 5th starter in the majors). The Cubs control his rights through 2014 which is the key element in most of Epstein and Hoyer's roster moves so far this off-season.
Zambrano was just 9-7 with a 4.82 ERA in 24 games last season, missing the last two months when the Cubs placed him on the restricted list for bad behavior. He goes to a team that has suddenly spent money on big free agents (Reyes, Buerhle) and now expect to contend in the NL East.
The trade gets rid of a trouble maker, but leaves the Cubs starting rotation in shambles. As it stands now, the Cubs starting rotation is (2011 stats):
1. Garza, 10-10, 3.32 ERA, 1.258 WHIP, 198 IP
2. Dempster, 10-14, 4.41 ERA, 1.450 WHIP, 202.1 IP
3. T. Wood, 6-6, 4.84 ERA, 1.289 WHIP, 106 IP
4. Sonnanstine, 0-2, 5.55 ERA, 1.458 WHIP, 35.2 IP (minors 3-6, 4.82 ERA, 1.411 WHIP, 56 IP)
5. Volstad, 5-13, 4.89 ERA, 1.425 WHIP, 165.2 IP
A staff that has a combined 31-45 record (.408 winning percentage). If your starting rotation is the precursor of your final team record, this projects to a woeful 66 win season. But Epstein and Hoyer are looking for "bounce back" seasons from every player they have signed or traded for this off-season. That is going to be a really hard sell, especially if Garza is traded next.
December 28, 2011
TRADING CHIPS
Cub President Theo Epstein has gone on the record that his move of trading "assets" for
more assets is not over with the Sean Marshall deal.
But what real "trading" chips do the Cubs still have on their roster?
1. Matt Garza, starting pitcher, two years left of control, arb eligible, Cubs #1 starter, projects to #3 starter with contending teams. Garza may be the last ace in the hole for the Cubs to deal for 2 pitchers and 2 prospects (hopefully a third base and first base power hitter). The type of pitcher you would get in return would be a #4 type (like Travis Wood), with a AAA ready pitcher. Trading Garza would also further dump payroll, something which is more than apparent under this new administration.
2. Carlos Zambrano, starting pitcher, one year left at $18 million, Cubs headcase, projects as #3 starter on contending teams. Z has worn out his welcome in Chicago, and everyone in the league knows it. So there will be no line of takers for a pitcher that may be past his prime, physically and mentally. Some think Miami with friend Ozzie Guillen would be the perfect landing spot, but the Marlins already spent big money on Mark Buehrle and other free agents. Even with quality pitching in short supply, there won't be any takers unless the Cubs eat 75% or more of Z's salary. In return, you may get a low prospect or two so it may not pay to trade him, since there are no AAA Cub pitchers capable of starting in 2012.
3. Marlon Byrd, centerfielder, one year left on deal. Byrd's contract is not that hard to swallow for a team looking for a veteran back up outfielder. And that is what Byrd's production tells other teams; back-up role player. Therefore, there will be no great prospects in return in trading Byrd. He would have to be packaged with other players in order to get some viable prospects in return. He should be moved because he is blocking Brett Jackson, the only Cub farmhand in Baseball America's top 100 prospects.
4. Geo Soto, catcher, still under club control. The majors are devoid of power hitting catchers. Soto's skills are diminishing with more nagging injuries. He is at the point of his best trade value. The Cubs have two catching prospects (Castillo and Clevenger) who are major league ready. Trading Soto could land a major league player and a low prospect.
5. Brett Jackson, Iowa AAA outfielder. The only possible player the new management could consider keeping, but more likely would trade all the Hendry known prospects and re-set the rosters with their own signees. If that is the case, Jackson would return two or three lower prospects in return. This would also signal a much longer "rebuilding" time frame for the Cubs; something that Ricketts and season ticket holders would be denial about . . . the turnaround would be put off for an additional two or three years, or 2016. No one knows whether ownership can wait that long.
more assets is not over with the Sean Marshall deal.
But what real "trading" chips do the Cubs still have on their roster?
1. Matt Garza, starting pitcher, two years left of control, arb eligible, Cubs #1 starter, projects to #3 starter with contending teams. Garza may be the last ace in the hole for the Cubs to deal for 2 pitchers and 2 prospects (hopefully a third base and first base power hitter). The type of pitcher you would get in return would be a #4 type (like Travis Wood), with a AAA ready pitcher. Trading Garza would also further dump payroll, something which is more than apparent under this new administration.
2. Carlos Zambrano, starting pitcher, one year left at $18 million, Cubs headcase, projects as #3 starter on contending teams. Z has worn out his welcome in Chicago, and everyone in the league knows it. So there will be no line of takers for a pitcher that may be past his prime, physically and mentally. Some think Miami with friend Ozzie Guillen would be the perfect landing spot, but the Marlins already spent big money on Mark Buehrle and other free agents. Even with quality pitching in short supply, there won't be any takers unless the Cubs eat 75% or more of Z's salary. In return, you may get a low prospect or two so it may not pay to trade him, since there are no AAA Cub pitchers capable of starting in 2012.
3. Marlon Byrd, centerfielder, one year left on deal. Byrd's contract is not that hard to swallow for a team looking for a veteran back up outfielder. And that is what Byrd's production tells other teams; back-up role player. Therefore, there will be no great prospects in return in trading Byrd. He would have to be packaged with other players in order to get some viable prospects in return. He should be moved because he is blocking Brett Jackson, the only Cub farmhand in Baseball America's top 100 prospects.
4. Geo Soto, catcher, still under club control. The majors are devoid of power hitting catchers. Soto's skills are diminishing with more nagging injuries. He is at the point of his best trade value. The Cubs have two catching prospects (Castillo and Clevenger) who are major league ready. Trading Soto could land a major league player and a low prospect.
5. Brett Jackson, Iowa AAA outfielder. The only possible player the new management could consider keeping, but more likely would trade all the Hendry known prospects and re-set the rosters with their own signees. If that is the case, Jackson would return two or three lower prospects in return. This would also signal a much longer "rebuilding" time frame for the Cubs; something that Ricketts and season ticket holders would be denial about . . . the turnaround would be put off for an additional two or three years, or 2016. No one knows whether ownership can wait that long.
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