Zambrano: Sign Me Now, Or I'm Gone

Carlos Zambrano addressed Cubs nation yesterday and said that if the Cubs do not sign him, he is gone. "Whatever happens, I don't want to know about a contract during the season. I want to sign with the Cubs before the season starts. If they don't sign me, sorry, but I must go. That's what Carlos Zambrano thinks." Zambrano, who was 16-7 with a 3.41 ERA and 210 strikeouts last season, asked for $15.5 million in arbitration. The Cubs countered with $11.025 million. He expects the Cubs to offer a similar deal to the one Barry Zito received, and wants it all to be finalized before Opening Day. If Zambrano doesn't sign with the Cubs, expect the Yankees, Mets, Phillies, and even the Angels going after him. However, with the way the Cubs have been spending, there is little doubt in my mind that he will not get a contract with the Cubs. I see the Cubs offering a deal between 17-19 million dollars for seven years.

In other news, the Cubs traded pitching prospect Jae-Kuk Ryu to the Devil Rays for minor leaguers Andrew Lopez and Greg Reinhard. Lopez hit .256 with 4 HR and 27 RBI while Reinhard was 6-10 with a 4.50 ERA and 134 K. Ryu was 0-1 with an 8.40 ERA and 17 K in 10 games in the majors, but was 8-8 with a 3.23 ERA and 114 K with the Iowa Cubs in AAA.

If the Cubs are unable to sign Carlos Zambrano, what should they do?


Trade him, get something for him while they still can

Keep him, try and work it out in the off season

No worries, they will sign him






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