His arbitration request is 15 mil... Cubs offered 11 mil and change... he deserves to be in the top 10 pitchers' salaries, IMO.
Big "Z" needs more $$
- Thread starter ceeboe
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His arbitration request is 15 mil... Cubs offered 11 mil and change... he deserves to be in the top 10 pitchers' salaries, IMO.
His comments about walking aren't about the arbitration number though... He wants a long term deal before arbitration, it's about security more than anything and a good move on his part. I think the Cubs HAVE to throw something like 6 x 15mil at him, he is worth it, especially when you think of the value over replacement costs in free agency.
Hendry has not taken any players through arbitration hearings so they'll at least get a 1 year deal worked out for sure. If it does go through arbitration I bet you it's closer to the 11 mil the Cubs offered as even the best players arbitration eligible don't get that high of deal.
I see Z's side, he is one of the top 5-10 pitchers in the league easily and deserves to be paid. But the way he is talking is not good for him because now he looks selfish and money seems more important than winning or staying with the Cubs based on the tone of his comments. You didn't hear that kind of talk out of Aramis Ramirez when he could have got way more by testing the market.
I think in the end Z will get his payday before the start of the season and it will be fair but if he gets his payday he is going to need to be better than 16 wins consistently. Last year he started slow and finished with his highest ERA total as a full-time starter but granted it was still a nice 3.41. His walks also went up from 86 to 115 in the same ammount of starts and 9 less innings. He's not quite flawless in some aspects either. Nonetheless I still want him to stay a Cub for a long time.
I see Z's side, he is one of the top 5-10 pitchers in the league easily and deserves to be paid. But the way he is talking is not good for him because now he looks selfish and money seems more important than winning or staying with the Cubs based on the tone of his comments. You didn't hear that kind of talk out of Aramis Ramirez when he could have got way more by testing the market.
I think in the end Z will get his payday before the start of the season and it will be fair but if he gets his payday he is going to need to be better than 16 wins consistently. Last year he started slow and finished with his highest ERA total as a full-time starter but granted it was still a nice 3.41. His walks also went up from 86 to 115 in the same ammount of starts and 9 less innings. He's not quite flawless in some aspects either. Nonetheless I still want him to stay a Cub for a long time.
A one year deal and Zambrano is as good as gone... Players are very wary about going into free agency without being locked up now that they can't shoot some juice and inflate their stats. IF the Cubs want any chance of Zambrano in 08 they are going to have to show him the money AND YEARS now.
Don't think Santana will be leaving the Twins after this year.
"Feb 14, 2005: Re-signed by the Minnesota Twins to a four-year contract."
http://www2.sportsnet.ca/baseball/mlb/players/Johan_Santana/http://http://www2.sportsnet.ca/baseball/mlb/players/Johan_Santana/
His contract runs through 2008, although I have a hard time believing that the Twins can keep him after that if he keeps throwing like he has.
"Feb 14, 2005: Re-signed by the Minnesota Twins to a four-year contract."
http://www2.sportsnet.ca/baseball/mlb/players/Johan_Santana/http://http://www2.sportsnet.ca/baseball/mlb/players/Johan_Santana/
His contract runs through 2008, although I have a hard time believing that the Twins can keep him after that if he keeps throwing like he has.
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Big Z needs to get paid. He has pitched great the last couple of seasons. And what did he do last year, he won 16 games on a bad Cubs team. Pay him before the season starts and it won't be a distraction. After all the money they have tossed around to people pay Big Z and lets go from there.
There aren't many true number ones in the major league. Zambrano is a number one starting pitcher. He also has arguably the best stuff in the NL. He is becoming more of a pitcher, not just a thrower, and he is only 26. The sky is the limit for this guy, and I think that the Cubs need to go out and sign him.
