Big Z

[wily coyote]

Good riddance to bad rubbish. Hope we've seen the last of that act.

[Da Coach]

This sounds a little questionable-

ESPN reports that Zambrano's agent is claiming that Carlos returned to Atlanta's Turner Field with his belongings a couple hours after saying he was retiring and bolting the park during Friday night's game.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/chi-cubs-vs-zambrano-battle-continues-20110814,0,1272602.story

It sounds like the Cubs players aren't buying it either.

[thefish7]

Good riddance to bad rubbish. Hope we've seen the last of that act.

Well, I'll almost guarantee you he'll never play in a Cubs uniform again... The hope for Cubs fans is that he really retires (which I don't think is likely).

[tornado]

I'm a die-ard Cubs fan and I'm getting really tired of this act. To just quit like he did is pretty pathetic. ...

I agree -- he has it so good, living most people's dream life, has nothing whatsoever to complain about, yet throws an infantile tantrum and quits...
the guy needs to get a life....

[Beninator]

I bet if the Cardinals picked him up he would be fine. Positive energy in STL...not just saying this to rag on the Cubs. I really think if he went to a new club that is winning and stable....he could do ok.

I doubt that the Cardinals would take the risk. Although if a team were to give him a second chance, that team would need a strong manager like Larussa who would not take any crap from Z and cut him after the first incident.

The thing that people are missing with Zambrano is that his fastball was 97-98 mph when he was effective 5 or 6 years ago. He now routinely throws around 92. His slider is also much less effective and is rarely located where he wants it.
A change of scenery can't help diminished physical skills...though it might help psychologically.

Agree with the diminishing skills, but that is when a pitcher needs to adjust to becoming a pitcher instead of a power pitcher. Zambrano at times has been decent this year....

[SFP]

Very much agree with everything you stated. I also think that Handry should have traded Marmol. To only trade Fukudome is very ****ing!

Trade deadline is not over its just they would have to get through waivers.

Well, I'll almost guarantee you he'll never play in a Cubs uniform again... The hope for Cubs fans is that he really retires (which I don't think is likely).

I'd have to bet the other way around. They will want to show other clubs that there is still some value.

I thought being an O's fan was hard!

[Beninator]

Trade deadline is not over its just they would have to get through waivers.

True, but a Marmol trade would have brought the greatest return. That being said, I don't think that Marmol would clear waivers.. --very tough for me to say as much as I don't like Marmol.

The other Cubs would have no problems clearing waivers.

[thefish7]

I'd have to bet the other way around. They will want to show other clubs that there is still some value.

I thought being an O's fan was hard!

That's what they were trying to do after they suspended him last time. If they trade him, they'll have to pay full salary, so unless they're going to get something back they'll cut him instead. Best hope is that he actually retires, in which case they're off the hook.

[jrish12]

That's what they were trying to do after they suspended him last time. If they trade him, they'll have to pay full salary, so unless they're going to get something back they'll cut him instead. Best hope is that he actually retires, in which case they're off the hook.

Wont happen, his agent along with the players union is filing a grievance on his behalf. His agent wont let it happen because thats his commission that he is losing too

[Chico]

Wont happen, his agent along with the players union is filing a grievance on his behalf. His agent wont let it happen because thats his commission that he is losing too

Why would a union defend a guy who has hurt his team, not to mention the game itself, so much over the years?

[jrish12]

Why would a union defend a guy who has hurt his team, not to mention the game itself, so much over the years?

Because he is a paying member of the players union. It is called the Major League Baseball Players Association, its not called the "players union for players who only help their teams" Last I checked Barry Bonds was a member of that union too and he was as big of a cancer as you can get.

[Chico]

Because he is a paying member of the players union. It is called the Major League Baseball Players Association, its not called the "players union for players who only help their teams" Last I checked Barry Bonds was a member of that union too and he was as big of a cancer as you can get.

I know all that, but I don't remember Bonds cleaning out his locker and leaving his team. My problem is with the filing of a grevious by a union even though they know the player is wrong. I remember 974 filing a grevious again Cat because they fired 2 guys who were caught by representatives of the company, union and security destroying time clocks by pouring soda down them. Just because they are paying members doesn't mean they can do no wrong and should be defended.

[jrish12]

I know all that, but I don't remember Bonds cleaning out his locker and leaving his team. My problem is with the filing of a grevious by a union even though they know the player is wrong. I remember 974 filing a grevious again Cat because they fired 2 guys who were caught by representatives of the company, union and security destroying time clocks by pouring soda down them. Just because they are paying members doesn't mean they can do no wrong and should be defended.

And unfortunately thats how unions work.

[Chico]

And unfortunately thats how unions work.

Ain't that the truth.

[SFP]

And unfortunately thats how unions work.

I'm not a Union guy but let's not just single them out about abuses of the system. The reason Unions became strong were due to workers being abused. With power (money) comes corruption and unfortunately the ability for these organizations to do what is right instead of what pays them becomes prevalent. Now on Big Z, his teammates should have a vote on how they should handle this. I'd believe he would be on the street if it was up to them.