JEFF'S CHICAGO SPORTS BLOG - CHICAGO CUBS SIGN ZAMBRANO LONG-TERM!
OUR CHICAGO SPORTS BLOG - WHAT MATTERS MOST TO THE CHICAGO SPORTS FAN!
On Friday, the Chicago Cubs signed Carlos Zambrano to a five-year deal worth 91.5 million dollars with a vesting option for a sixth year. No one was sure that this deal was going to happen. Carlos Zambrano, ace right-handed pitcher for the Chicago Cubs was going to be a free agent at the end of this season and the Cubs due to a change in ownership, at the beginning of the year, had to put on hold a long-term deal with Zambrano. During the stalemate, Zambrano was adamant about remaining a Cub and wanting to stay in Chicago. However, due to his slow start there was widespread speculation that the rough beginning had much to do with Zambrano being frustrated about lack of progress in a deal.
What's curious about this signing is the timing!
There are two interesting sides to this unfolding story. The Zambrano side had to be thinking that a deal now would secure Zambrano's family financially. Who knows what the immediate future holds? What if Zambrano sustains a career-threatening injury in the next few weeks? What if he finishes up the season like he began the 2007 campaign, which was a dismal start? Before his hot streak in June and July, the Zambrano camp was looking at a bleak future with market value dropping every day for his services due to his poor performance mirrored by the team's performance. I'm sure this was in the back of Zambrano as well as his agent, Barry Praver.
The Cubs on the other hand had to be concerned that with future ownership uncertain how much payroll would be considered attractive vs. unattractive to a prospective buyer(s). The Cubs spent a great deal of money in the off-season and knew that market value for Zambrano was going to approach the 100 million dollar mark for a multi-year deal.
Despite market value, the Cubs had to be concerned that there would be teams that would be willing to pay the high end range for Zambrano. Teams like the Mets and Yankees quickly come to mind. Jim Hendry, general manager for the Chicago Cubs, indicated that both sides knew there was potentially much more money out there for Zambrano in the free-agent market. So if the Cubs wanted to finish this year strong in pursuit of a playoff spot and know that they can continue to bank on Zambrano's services for next year and beyond it was time to make the deal.
It will be interesting how Zambrano performs the rest of this year but one thing has become increasingly clear for the Chicago Cub organization - they are committed to winning!
YOUR THOUGHTS ON THE NEW ZAMBRANO CONTRACT FOR THE CHICAGO CUBS? Let me know!
DEAN'S TEAM CHICAGO SPORTS EDITOR,
JEFF ARDITO
