Results tagged ‘ Carlos Zambrano ’
10/27 Big Z to pitch in Venezuela – UPDATE
Carlos Zambrano’s next game could be this month in Venezuela. Zambrano was expected to pitch for Caribes in the Venezuelan Winter League. The right-hander’s season ended on Aug. 12 in Atlanta. He gave up five home runs in that game, then was ejected for throwing inside at Chipper Jones. Zambrano was placed on the 30-day restricted list and not paid during that time. He was eventually taken off that list, but there wasn’t enough time for him to get back in shape for the final few weeks of the season, and Zambrano never rejoined the Cubs. Caribes also lists Tigers pitcher Joel Zumaya, Marlins infielder Omar Infante and Pirates outfielder Jose Tabata on the roster. Former big leaguer Julio Franco is managing the team.
– Carrie Muskat
10/26 Epstein wants to meet with Z
The Cubs do need pitching for 2012, and Theo Epstein says he wants to talk to Carlos Zambrano before automatically dismissing the right-hander. Zambrano was placed on the restricted list after leaving the Turner Field clubhouse in Atlanta Aug. 12 and telling teammates he was retiring. In September, Cubs chairman Tom Ricketts said he’d have trouble picturing Zambrano pitching again for the team. The right-hander is owed $19 million for next year and has a full no-trade clause.
“I need to get to the bottom of that,” Epstein said Tuesday during an interview on Chicago Tribune Live. ”I think the best organizations get the most out of their players, even the ones that might be harder to get the most out of it. But the best organizations also know when it’s time to move on.”
Zambrano was 9-7 with a 4.82 ERA in 24 starts, totaling 145 2/3 innings for the Cubs.
“He’s got talent,” Epstein said of the right-hander. “Obviously, things haven’t gone the way he would have liked or the organization would have liked the last few years.”
What about Bryan LaHair? He hit 38 homers at Triple-A Iowa this year and was batting .308 with six homers, nine RBIs in 10 games for Magallanes in Venezuela Winter League. He’s also struck out 14 times.
“I have a soft spot for guys who hit everywhere they’ve ever been — hit, hit, hit and continue to hit,” Epstein said. “There’s this myth about the 4-A hitter. Guys who perform all the way up the Minor Leagues, dominate Triple-A, get a cup of coffee, they hit a buck-fifty in the big leagues, and everybody labels them a 4-A hitter.
“The reality is, I’m not so sure there is something called a 4-A hitter. It’s just [a] pretty good Major League hitter who never got an opportunity.”
Perhaps LaHair will get a chance.
“We’re looking for assets,” Epstein said. “We’re going to scratch and claw and do everything in our power — in the draft, internationally, small trades, waiver claims. We need to build assets because we don’t have enough of them. We’re not going to look past one that might be sitting right there in our organization.”
– Carrie Muskat
10/2 Zambrano to Marlins?
With Ozzie Guillen leaving the White Sox to manage the Marlins, there has been speculation that Carlos Zambrano will join him in Florida. The two Venezuelans are close and have helped each other’s charities. It’s no secret the Cubs want to find Zambrano a new home after his early exit from the Aug. 12 game against the Braves when he told teammates he was “retiring.” According to a report in Venezuela’s El Nacional by reporter Ignacio Serrano, Guillen has reached out to Zambrano and wants to bring him to Miami. Zambrano is owed $18 million next season on his contract, and the report says the Marlins would pay that money in deferred payments. Whether the Cubs can make that move before they name a new GM remains to be seen, but such a deal would benefit both sides. During the team’s final road trip, Mike Quade was asked if Big Z could return. “I don’t know,” Quade said. “That’s a tough question for me to answer. I’d like his arm back if he fit into the mix. It would be tough for him to come back, for me. If he did, then you deal with it. It would be tough.”
– Carrie Muskat
9/29 Z back on 40-man; Berg, Schlitter DFA
Pitchers Justin Berg and Brian Schlitter were designated for assignment by the Cubs on Thursday, and pitcher Carlos Zambrano was added to the 40-man roster. Zambrano was taken off the 40-man roster when the Cubs determined that he would not be returning to the team for the final month. On Sept. 2, the Cubs announced Zambrano would not return after his 30-day suspension ended but that they would resume paying his salary. The suspension ran through Sept. 11. Zambrano was taken off the 40-man roster at that time so the Cubs weren’t limited in the number of players they had available.
The right-hander was suspended after his early exit from Turner Field on Aug. 12. In that game against the Braves, he gave up five home runs, then was ejected because umpire Tim Timmons felt Zambrano was trying to hit Chipper Jones. Zambrano packed his gear and left the ballpark, telling teammates he was retiring. The Cubs placed Zambrano on the disqualified list on Aug. 13. He finished 9-7 with a 4.82 ERA in 24 starts.
The Major League Players Association filed a grievance on Zambrano’s behalf, which is still unresolved. Major League Baseball, the Players Association and the Cubs will process the grievance this offseason.
Schlitter was first activated from the 60-day disabled list before he was designated. He missed the 2011 season because of a right elbow injury. Berg underwent Tommy John surgery on his right elbow in late September.
– Carrie Muskat
9/21 Could Z return? Q: “It’d be tough”
One of the things on the new Cubs’ GM’s to do list will be to figure out what to do with Carlos Zambrano. He was placed on the disqualified list after his abrupt departure from the ballpark Aug. 12 in Atlanta.
“‘Z’ was a good pitcher in this mix and you miss that,” Mike Quade said Wednesday. “Again, the situation dictated how we handled it as far as I’m concerned and you move on past that. You can argue all day long on principle, or, ‘What are we going to do?’ I think what took place needed to be addressed and was, and whatever holes are left because of that, so be it.”
Zambrano does have another year remaining on his contract. Could he come back to the Cubs?
“I’m not calling the shots,” Quade said. “I never say never to anything and I think [Cubs chairman Tom Ricketts] is on record with what he said. That’s out of my hands and the least of my worries. We need to finish strong and see what happens this winter.”
Maybe the question is whether Quade thinks Zambrano could come back.
“I don’t know,” Quade said. “That’s a tough question for me to answer. I’d like his arm back if he fit into the mix. It would be tough for him to come back, for me. If he did, then you deal with it. It would be tough.”
– Carrie Muskat
9/2 Zambrano done for the year
Carlos Zambrano will not rejoin the Cubs the rest of the season. The team announced Friday that Zambrano will remain at home for the remainder of this season and the team will resume paying him his salary at the end of the 30-day suspension. The suspension runs through Sept. 11, leaving Zambrano “insufficient preparation time” to pitch again this year.
Major League Baseball, the Major League Baseball Players Association and the Cubs will process the Union’s grievance during the offseason. The Cubs said in a statement that since the grievance remains unresolved, they will not comment further at this time.
In his last start for the Cubs on Aug. 12, Zambrano served up five home runs to the Braves and was then ejected in the fifth for trying to hit Chipper Jones with a pitch. Zambrano packed up his gear, told teammates he was retiring, and then left Turner Field. A few days later, Zambrano changed his story and said he made the comments out of frustration. He was placed on the disqualified list on Aug. 13, and without pay. For the season, Zambrano went 9-7 with a 4.82 ERA. If he is done with the Cubs, he finishes with a 125-81 record and 3.60 ERA. He was making $17.875 million, so he lost about $3 million while on the disqualified list. Zambrano is owed $18 million next year.
– Carrie Muskat
8/22 Report: Pena on waivers
According to reports, Carlos Pena was placed on waivers on Monday. Pena, 33, was hitting .222 with 23 homers in 480 plate appearances for the Cubs. If a team were to pick him up, they would have to be prepared to handle at least $5 million of his $10 million contract. Half of Pena’s total money was deferred until January 2012.
Alfonso Soriano and Carlos Zambrano also have cleared waivers, according to reports. Soriano is owed slightly more than $54 million through 2014. Zambrano is a little more complicated. He reportedly cleared waivers before he was placed on the disqualified list and is owed $18 million next season. There is a 2013 vesting player option for $19.25 million.
To be traded after the July 31 Trading Deadline, a player must be placed on waivers. If more than one team claims the player, the team with the weakest record in the player’s league gets preference. If no team in the player’s league claims him, the claiming team with the weakest record in the other league gets preference. If a player is claimed, the current team has the option of arranging a trade, rescinding the request and keeping the player, or doing nothing and allowing the claiming team to assme the player’s existing contract.
– Carrie Muskat
8/21 Must see TV
If Carlos Zambrano was watching Sunday night’s ESPN baseball broadcast, he would have learned that it’s unlikely he’ll be back in a Cubs uniform. In an interview, chairman Tom Ricketts said he had a “hard time imagining” Zambrano pitching for the team again. Zambrano is currently on the disqualified list after his early exit from Turner Field on Aug. 12. Zambrano gave up five home runs that night, was ejected in the fifth inning after hitting Chipper Jones with a pitch, then packed his gear and left the ballpark. He told teammates he was retiring, and later recanted that story in an interview.
There have been plenty of distractions for the Cubs lately.
“The day to day activity here is probably a good thing,” said Cubs manager Mike Quade, who is taking it one day at a time. “It doesn’t allow you the time to sit back. You’re just consumed with what goes on here every day. I wind up saying, ‘It’s baseball,’ and then go about my business.”
– Carrie Muskat
8/20 Hendry timeline with Cubs
During Jim Hendry’s tenure as GM with the Cubs, they won three division titles. Here are some highlights and lowlights:
* Named general manager in July 2002, taking over for Andy MacPhail. Inherited team with $75.7 million payroll. In offseason, hired Dusty Baker as manager from the NL champion Giants.
* In December 2002, traded Todd Hundley to the Dodgers for Mark Grudzielanek and Eric Karros. In July 2003, acquired Aramis Ramirez and Kenny Lofton from Pirates for Jose Hernandez, Minor League player and Bobby Hill. Also added Randall Simon from Pirates. Cubs win first NL Central Division title, finishing 88-74, and beat Braves in NL Division Series. Cubs were five outs from getting to World Series but lost in NL Championship Series to Marlins.
* In November 2003, acquired Derrek Lee from Marlins for Hee-Seop Choi and Minor Leaguer. In January 2004, gave Kerry Wood three-year, $32.5 million contract. Signed Greg Maddux in Spring Training 2004. Acquired Nomar Garciaparra at Trade Deadline. Cubs finished 89-73, and lost bid for Wild Card spot in final weeks. Season ends with Sammy Sosa leaving Wrigley Field early during last game.
* In February 2005, traded Sosa to Orioles. Acquired Jeromy Burnitz (.258, 24 HR, 87 RBIs) to play right field. Neifi Perez plays more games at shortstop than injured Garciaparra, and Cubs finish fourth, 79-83.
* Injuries to Derrek Lee, Mark Prior and others result in 66-96 season. Baker and staff dismissed at end of season; pitching coach Larry Rothschild retained. Lou Piniella hired, and team spends $300 million on players, including eight-year, $136 million deal for Alfonso Soriano. Signed Ted Lilly to three-year deal while hooked up to EKG machine at 2006 Winter Meetings.
* Cubs win division in 2007 under Piniella with 85-77 record but are swept in NLDS by Diamondbacks. In August that year, Carlos Zambrano given five-year, $91.5 million extension.
* In December 2007, sign Japanese batting champ Kosuke Fukudome to four-year, $48 million contract. Add Reed Johnson and Jim Edmonds. Gave Aramis Ramirez five-year, $75 million contract. In 2008, Cubs win second straight Central Division at 97-64, but are swept by Dodgers in NLDS. In offseason, traded Mark DeRosa, acquired closer Kevin Gregg, signed Ryan Dempster to four-year, $52 million contract.
* In January 2009, signed free agent Milton Bradley to three-year, $30 million contract. He hits .257, 12 homers, 40 RBIs, then is suspended in September. Cubs tied for first on Aug. 5, but finish second at 83-78. Bradley traded to Mariners in offseason for Carlos Silva and cash.
* Signed free agent Marlon Byrd to three-year, $15 million deal in December 2009. Piniella announces in July 2010 he is retiring at season’s end. Mike Quade named manager on Aug. 23. Cubs go 24-13 under Quade and finish season in fifth, 75-87. Quade gets two-year contract.
* Signed Carlos Pena to one-year, $10 million deal in December 2010 and re-signs Kerry Wood for $1.5 million. In January 2011, acquired Matt Garza from Rays for top prospects in eight-player deal. Signed Carlos Marmol to three-year, $20 million contract in February. Placed Carlos Zambrano on disqualified list in August after pitcher walks out, announcing his retirement in Atlanta.
– Carrie Muskat
8/17 Sosa: Retiring is “a different ballgame”
Sammy Sosa knows all about life after baseball, and planned on reaching out to Carlos Zambrano to remind him that once you retire, “it’s a different ballgame.” Sosa, 42, who played 18 seasons in the Major Leagues, including 1992-2004 with the Cubs, said Wednesday he planned on calling Zambrano, who is currently on the disqualified list. Zambrano served up five home runs to the Braves last Friday in Atlanta, was ejected from the game after hitting Chipper Jones, and then packed his gear in his locker and said he was retiring.
On Monday, Zambrano changed his story and said he wanted to stay with the Cubs, saying his comments about retirement were made in “a moment of frustration.” The team placed him on the disqualified list, used when players violate the terms of their contract or of the collective bargaining agreement. Sosa also had an early exit from the Cubs. On Oct. 3, 2004, he left the last regular season game early and without permission, and was subsequently fined by Cubs GM Jim Hendry.
Sosa didn’t retire, though, and was traded to the Orioles. He played one season with Baltimore and another with Texas in 2007 before retiring. Sosa now lives in Miami and the Dominican Republic, and said he prepared for life after baseball.
“Players think that when they sign a contract, everything is easy,” Sosa said Wednesday. “When you retire and you try to do something besides baseball, it’s not easy. It’s tough. When you think everything is going to be the same and so easy as when you played baseball, it’s not that way anymore. I want to make sure [players] understand that. I want to speak to a lot of players. I want to tell them to save their money.
“I see a lot of players make all their money in baseball and when they retire it’s a mess,” he said. “They surround themselves with some bad people. There’s so many bad people outside waiting to get their money.
“That reaction [on Friday] cost [Zambrano] $3 million,” Sosa said. “Maybe he doesn’t need it now, but later on he will. That’s money he worked hard for all his life.”
Sosa now has other businesses, including oil companies and housing projects. He also operates a baseball academy in San Pedro de Macoris in the Dominican Republic and the Cubs have signed two players from there.
He’s excited about a nephew, a right-handed hitting outfielder, whom Sosa said has “more potential than I had.”
“He can fly — he’s amazing,” Sosa said proudly of his brother’s son. “What a talent. Another Sosa.”
Whether the youngster has the potential to hit 60 homers or win a National League MVP award, which his uncle did, remains to be seen. The youth is only 16 years old.
Until then, Sosa will act as mentor, and try to do the same for Zambrano and others thinking about leaving the game.
“All my friends retire, and if they didn’t take care of their money, they go back to being a coach,” Sosa said. “It seems to me if they don’t know how to do anything else, they become a coach. They have to plan for their future and career after baseball.
“When you retire, it’s a different ballgame,” he said.
– Carrie Muskat
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