Carlos Zambrano will get another paycheck this year, but he won’t pitch another inning. The Cubs announced that the 30-year-old right-hander will remain at home for the remainder of the 2011 season. Once his 30-day suspension ends on September 11th, the Cubs will continue paying him.
Zambrano would not have enough time to prepare for games once his suspension ends, according to the Cubs. MLB, the Cubs and the MLB Players Association will process the grievance that the union filed on Zambrano’s behalf during the offseason.
The MLBPA filed a grievance for Zambrano after the Cubs placed him on the disqualified list following an August outburst. Zambrano could lose as much as one sixth of his $17.875MM salary this year if the Cubs' decision stands, since players don't get paid on the disqualified list. He is under contract for $18MM next year and his contract includes a $19.25MM vesting player option for 2013.
Zambrano finishes the season with a 4.82 ERA, 6.2 K/9, 3.5 BB/9 and a 42.4% ground ball rate in 145 2/3 innings – pedestrian enough numbers that the Cubs will be absorbing most of Zambrano's salary in any offseason trade.
Cobby Box
This MAY take the Cubs out of the playoff hunt.
gunsnascar
I think that you may be spot on on that 1 bud………………..lol
pageian
Lol, well done. But I think in this case removing Zambrano from the team actually makes them better. He wasn’t very good.
astrostl
.318/.348/.500 batting line, good for +1 WAR in just 48 PAs. Don’t forget about his hitting!
0bsessions
Overall, I’m a pro-Union guy and I understand the grievance is mostly procedural because they HAVE to side with their consituants, but if this dude gets paid for basically throwing up his hands and taking his ball home, I will be completely disgusted with the MLB.
BlueCatuli
Trade? I see a DFA coming.
patburn
how would he not have enough time to prepare for a game? What has he been doing this past month?
sourbob
It’s obviously just them not wanting him back and giving a made-up reason.
Which anyone could probably understand at this point…
IdontknowwhyIpostonforums
Retiring, then un-retiring and punching pictures of Derek Lee
woadude
Derek Lee? Dude goes Ape on Gatorade machines more than anything.
bacboris
In his defense Patburn, he was doing anger management probably twice a week. What do you think he’s doing now after pissing away millions of dollars? Its tough to keep up the throwing regimen when your time is split between jose cuervo and a therapists couch. (I wouldn’t know personally, but if I’m ever rich enough to find out, I will give it a shot)
EdinsonPickle
Extend his contract! Hurry before he hits free agency!
Cosmo3
Jim Hendry? Is that you?
jalora
The Giants could trade Zito for him and SAVE money. Yikes. What a couple of horrendous contracts.
WhenMattStairsIsKing
Please never ever don a Cub uniform ever again ever.
windycitywarrior
I see a trade to either the Marlins or the White Sox depending on where Ozzie ends up. He is the only manager that would even TRY and deal with Z’s bullcrap. Not sure what they would get for him though. Dunn but not sure if they would give up on him after just one year. If it was to the Marlins it would almost have to be with cash for prospects because they don’t really have bad contracts to match up. Then the Cubs could trade Soriano to the Yankees for A.J. Burnett. Signed White Sox fan
BlueCatuli
I’d rather the Cuba DFA both of them if that’s the case.
jwsox
as a fellow sox fan you should clearly know that a trade to the white sox wont happen. Unless it was bad contract for bad contract…peavy+dunn for Z…then sure get it done…but even if there was a logical trade situation the signs are pointing towards both ozzie and kenny not being back next season so i doubt rick hahn(logical next gm) would want him…
windycitywarrior
I thought that Peavy to the Mets for Jason Bay idea was pretty good someone came up with. Dunn for Z with the money being worked out would be a good need-fill for both teams. Cubs would have a 1B that wouldnt be costing more than they were planning to spend anyways and the Sox would have a long reliever/spot/6th starter behind Buerhle,Floyd,Danks,Humber and Sale. Then the Sox could trade Quentin for an A prospect ( hitter or pitcher ) and stick Bay in left and Viciedo in right. Or they could keep Quentin and have him DH. Right handed heavy but I think it would be a much more effective lineup than the one they are trotting out right now.
rockfordone
Big Z to the White Sox for Peavy. Kenny loves to pay players 18M to due nothing. Rios, Dumm, and Peavy. He should fit right in with a 5.00 era. All I know is(a Carey) he can hit better than Dumm.
jwsox
haha just made me think..dunn for big z…z can then DH for the sox…he is a better hitter haha
JacksTigers
Will they just DFA him already so this thing can move on.
Eduardo Medina
I really hate Zambrano…he´s an AHole big time
pageian
I’m curious to see how the new front office will proceed with this. Seems as though their options will be to DFA Zambrano and eat the entire contract, swap him for another teams bad contract, pay another team to take him or bring him back and hope he builds value early and then deal him to the first team that will take him. I don’t see them bringing him back and I doubt they DFA him without at least trying to find a taker first.
I’m guessing trade for another bad contract is what happens. Maybe to the Yankees for Burnett if they can work the money out? Rothschild knows Z about as well as anyone so that’s a possibility though I can’t really see Rothschild risking his reputation with his new team by recommending a head case. The White Sox seem possible given his relationship with Guillen. Not really sure that the Cubs would want Dunn unless the Sox paid the difference in salary, it’s tough to see that working out though. Maybe Rios or Peavy as mentioned above by someone else. Maybe to Seattle for Figgins?
Whatever happens the Cubs shouldn’t make any decisions without first calling Tony Reaggins, you know, just in case he’s in a dealing mood. You never know.
Mike Harshman
I gotta get a gig like this…someone to pay me for staying home and doing nothing.
rockfordone
9.1% in U.S. have one
MadmanTX 2
Cmon, Yankees…he’s available…what are you waiting for?
SethHood422
Praise God!!!!!!!!!!!!! I’ll never forget his abilities to tackle those Gatorade machines. This just in the Raiders want him, hey why not? jk