Z to the Pen

[Ace]

I think they're just readying him for a return to the rotation. That's all.

[veryzer]

<!--quoteo(post=96669:date=May 18 2010, 06:53 AM:name=BT)-->QUOTE (BT @ May 18 2010, 06:53 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->there is something wrong with Zambrano, and the Cubs don't want to talk about it. I have no idea what, but I think the Cubs are seeing something we are not. Making him an 8th inning guy was justifiable. This makes no sense.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->


Honestly, I think something's wrong with Lou. I don't know if it's the pressure of trying to win a championship with the Cubs or trying to win one more before he retires, but I think Lou has lost his mind. I say this with no hint of sarcasm. I think Lou has lost it.

[jstraw]

<!--quoteo(post=96670:date=May 18 2010, 06:56 AM:name=Ace)-->QUOTE (Ace @ May 18 2010, 06:56 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->I think they're just readying him for a return to the rotation. That's all.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->

Because we have ample mop-up situations with which to stretch him out?

Insane. Hendry and Lou are circling the drain.

[rok]

And if they return him to the rotation, who gets the boot? This was such a stupid idea, and it only gets better and more complicated.

[ruby23]

Did anyone see the velocity Zambrano had in his last outing? Methinks he's hurt.

[rok]

<!--quoteo(post=96680:date=May 18 2010, 08:06 AM:name=ruby23)-->QUOTE (ruby23 @ May 18 2010, 08:06 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->Did anyone see the velocity Zambrano had in his last outing? Methinks he's hurt.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
His mechanics did appear to be all screwed up like we've seen him get in the past. If he's hurt, then this makes moving him to mop up duty even more insane.

[1060Ivy]

I'll wait to first see how they actually use him before I jump on the this is a "pathetically stupid move" bandwagon.

Z isn't going to solve the Cubs offensive deficiencies. As long as he wasn't physically hurt in the bullpen, the move turns into the equivalent of shifting deck chairs on the Titanic.

[rok]

There is no bandwagon. Z has been a mess since moving to the pen, and going into long relief, where he will have few chances to pitch, isn't exactly a recipe for success.

[Coldneck]

To be fair, Z was a mess in the rotation as well.

[rok]

<!--quoteo(post=96685:date=May 18 2010, 08:57 AM:name=Coldneck)-->QUOTE (Coldneck @ May 18 2010, 08:57 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->To be fair, Z was a mess in the rotation as well.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
One bad start. To be truly fair.

[BT]

<!--quoteo(post=96686:date=May 18 2010, 09:00 AM:name=rok)-->QUOTE (rok @ May 18 2010, 09:00 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=96685:date=May 18 2010, 08:57 AM:name=Coldneck)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Coldneck @ May 18 2010, 08:57 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->To be fair, Z was a mess in the rotation as well.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
One bad start. To be truly fair.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

His 3rd start was pretty bad too Rok. 3 ER in 5 innings, while giving up more than 2 baserunners an inning.

If the Cubs are simply stretching him out to get him back in the rotation, than I'm fine with the move, as Zambrano is not helping them in the 8th inning. If they are stretching him out to be a long reliever because they don't want him back in the rotation, then something is going on.

Regardless of how you guys feel about how Zambrano has been used, the fact remains, as a whole, he has been catastrophically bad this year. His ERA is over 7, and he has let up 53 base runners in 28 innings. Even if you can somehow convince me that a portion of that is due because his role has changed, you can't convince me ALL of it was because of them moving him around.

Maybe they are keeping him out of the rotation because he is pitching badly.

[Coldneck]

I think we need to do what ever we can to increase his trade value. Teams like the Mets and Nats are craving starting pitching and may be in a position to add money at the deadline. The Nats are already rumored for Oswalt. I don't see Z pitching to his contract the next few years and I think we'll be sellers at the deadline. We may as well unload the salary to provide better flexibility going forward. Maybe something like that would allow a trade or signing of someone who can truly help us... like Adrian Gonzalez.

[Coldneck]

Hell, I'd be fine with trading Lilly, Gorz, and/or Silva too. I think all of those will have some value since Lilly and Silva only have this year left and Gorz is cheap.

[rok]

I doubt that we'll be sellers at the deadline, especially in this pathetic division. I also can't imagine dealing Z while his value is the lowest of his career. Now, if he goes back to the rotation and pitches well, maybe finishes the season strong, then it's possible we try to convince him to waive his no trade clause while his value is up a bit in the offseason, but it's hard to imagine such a move during the season. I doubt that is how Ricketts wants to begin his legacy.

[Coldneck]

<!--quoteo(post=96691:date=May 18 2010, 10:27 AM:name=rok)-->QUOTE (rok @ May 18 2010, 10:27 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->I doubt that we'll be sellers at the deadline, especially in this pathetic division. I also can't imagine dealing Z while his value is the lowest of his career. Now, if he goes back to the rotation and pitches well, maybe finishes the season strong, then it's possible we try to convince him to waive his no trade clause while his value is up a bit in the offseason, but it's hard to imagine such a move during the season. <b>I doubt that is how Ricketts wants to begin his legacy.</b><!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->

Trading a declining head case for salary relief would benefit the Rickett's legacy. Holding on to him until its too late would be the typical Cub way. So more of the same is what you're preaching?