Harden and Heilman Claimed on Waivers

[Coldneck]

<!--quoteo(post=60946:date=Sep 1 2009, 03:15 PM:name=Kid)-->QUOTE (Kid @ Sep 1 2009, 03:15 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=60945:date=Sep 1 2009, 03:15 PM:name=Coldneck)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Coldneck @ Sep 1 2009, 03:15 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=60942:date=Sep 1 2009, 03:02 PM:name=Kid)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Kid @ Sep 1 2009, 03:02 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=60934:date=Sep 1 2009, 01:53 PM:name=Giff)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Giff @ Sep 1 2009, 01:53 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=60922:date=Sep 1 2009, 11:06 AM:name=Coldneck)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Coldneck @ Sep 1 2009, 11:06 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=60913:date=Sep 1 2009, 10:37 AM:name=Butcher)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Butcher @ Sep 1 2009, 10:37 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->There's no doubt in my mind that Zambrano would get claimed if put on waivers.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Why? Really, there is no doubt at all? Do you think his value is $18M per year for 4 years? Can you explain this a little further. I realize it would only take one GM, but it would be a move very similar to the Alex Rios move by Ken Williams. Z is a good pitcher, there's no denying that. The question is whether or not another GM is willing to pay him Cy Young money for the next 4 years. Please make your case because I just don't think there are any.
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<!--quoteo-->QUOTE <!--quotec-->I realize it would only take one GM, but it would be a move very similar to the Alex Rios move by Ken Williams.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
How does comparing Zambrano's case to Rios' help your point? Rios is a much less productive player, and he's probably overpaid worse than Zambrano. Yet he was still claimed. If anything, the point you brought up proves that you're original statement that you would "bet your left nut Zambrano wouldn't get claimed" is incredibly dumb.
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Not to mention that the White Sox were within the first 6 or so teams out of 29 to get a crack at claiming Rios. Priority of waiver claims first go to teams in the same league in order from worst to best record. So the White Sox claimed him before the Red Sox, Yankees, Rays, Tigers, Twins, Angels, Rangers, or any NL team got a shot at him. Only Baltimore, Cleveland, Kansas City, Seattle, and Oakland (virtually all small market teams) had passed on him.
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So you think that another team would have rescued Ricciardi from Rios' contract? Is that what you are saying? There is obviously no way to know the answer, but I again would have a differing opinion.
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I think it's entirely possible that out of the 22 remaining teams, including 2 New York teams, 2 LA teams, Boston, the Cubs, etc., at least 1 would have put a claim in.
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Possible? Yes. Likely? Absolutely not.