When Zambrano last pitched for the Cubs - Aug. 12, 2011 - he allowed five home runs to the Braves. He eventually was ejected by home plate umpire Tim Timmons for throwing two pitches high and hard to Chipper Jones.
Zambrano took a nutty, cleaning out his locker in the visiting clubhouse in Atlanta and informing the team that he was retiring. The next day, Cubs general manager Jim Hendry placed Zambrano on the 30-day disqualified list, which in effect suspended his pay.
And there’s another issue: He makes a lot of money.
Zambrano is scheduled to earn $18 million in 2012 and has a vesting option for $19.25 million in 2013 if he finishes in the top four in the Cy Young voting and remains healthy.
“The difference between Lackey and Zambrano,’’ said a National League scout, “is that Zambrano can still really pitch. You can’t say the same about Lackey.’’
And that’s where the difficulty lies in attempting to deal him. Talent evaluators and GMs doubt whether Lackey is even a No. 4 or No. 5 starter, whereas Zambrano, if he gets his anger problems under control, could still be a top-of-the-rotation guy.
What’s odd about Zambrano’s situation is that people around the Cubs will tell you he’s one of the most charitable people they’ve ever come across. He gives a lot of money and time to great causes and does it very quietly.
There are all sorts of “garbage-for-garbage’’ deals that could be made with players who have big contracts. The Mariners have Chone Figgins, the Giants Barry Zito, the Nationals Jayson Werth, the Red Sox Lackey and Carl Crawford, the White Sox Adam Dunn and Rios, the Angels Wells, the Braves Derek Lowe, the Yankees A.J. Burnett, the Cubs Alfonso Soriano, and the Mets Jason Bay.
We understand that contracts have to be matched up and in some cases subsidized, but why aren’t GMs willing to be creative and take that change-of-scenery chance?
“I think GMs try to do them,’’ said Yankees GM Brian Cashman. “But you make a deal to get yourself better, and when you analyze it in the end, are you better for having made a deal like that?
