What is the latest on Carlos Zambrano?
We all saw the blow up in the dug out at US Cellular Field playing the White Sox on June 25th. Jim Hendry and the Cubs suspended him and after review by MLB and the Players union Carlos Zambrano was put on the restricted list effective June 28, 2010.
What exactly is the restricted list? From what I have read it is similar to the disabled list but I don’t see a time frame indicated. I would think there is one like the DL which has 15 or 60 etc. It seems to some extent that it is a negotiated between the club, MLB and the Players Association. How much the player and/or is agent is involved in this I am not sure.
In any event Carlos Zambrano is coming back. The question is what will the Cubs do with him? And how is it going to be in the club house? Lou Piniella says he is going to the bullpen.
Reports are that Carlos Zambrano has finished anger management and is went down to Mesa to get some work since he hasn’t pitched since.There really isn’t any news I have found that would suggest when he could be with the team.
Derrek Lee hasn’t said much regarding the matter but he did say he would not hold any grudges. That is typical Derrek Lee and my hat is off to him.
You would think the best thing to do is trade him. Jim Hendry has a big problem is what team wants him and we are not even talking about his salary. He is not the pitcher that he was when the Cubs gave him the big contract. Carlos Zambrano has over $45,000,000 coming to him at this point. Jim Hendrey was able to trade Milton Bradley and I thought that was impossible. Can he do it again?
For a moment put the issue on the side and ask what is wrong with Carlos Zambrano’s pitching? Can Larry Rothschild work his wonders and figure out why a pitcher that did have star power and the ability to be the ace of the staff lose it all. Well that is a bit harsh but Zambrano has not performed as he did when the Cubs made him a rich man. He is only 29 and has been with the Cubs from the beginning. Does he still have his stuff?
Of course Carlos Zambrano has been criticized for his outburst to say the least. He should have never got into it with Derrek Lee. I would say he was frustrated with the way the Cubs season has gone, how his season has gone and now the big series with the White Sox and gives up a 4 spot in the first inning. Anger problem yes. Misdirected yes. But why isn’t any other Cub that upset?
On one hand you could analyze that more Cubs need Zambrano’s anger. You could also argue the players are playing hard but in some ways trying too hard and that is getting in the way. I am a fan and that makes me an expert in my own opinion, what ever that means. Losing and under performing heaps onto itself and it doesn’t get any better until you break the spell. Momentum builds onto itself and the Cubs are in the losing end of it.
