In January 2010 Joel Sherman of the New York Post reported that two American League officials said the Cubs were “definitely dangling” Carlos Zambrano, while conceding he would not waive his no-trade clause. At that time Cubs general manager Jim Hendry declined to discuss the report.
Recent events (Friday’s dugout incident) may have the Cubs “dangling” Zambrano, and it is likely that he would now waive that no-trade clause.
Zabrano’s salary is nearly $19 million per year and runs through 2012. This, along with the Cubs (manager Lou Piniella and Hendry) labeling him a head case, will make moving him a challenge.
To make matters worse, the Cubs most definitely will need to take on a serious chunk of his salary for whoever takes him.
Zambrano, a career .237 hitter with 20 home runs, is best suited for a National League team.
The question is, who in the National League needs Zambrano and can afford his salary, even with a portion taken out?
I believe Philadelphia is the answer.
Derrek Lee’s contract will expire at the end of this season and I don’t see him returning to the Cubs. Therefore, the Cubs need to search for a replacement. The Phillies have a prospect (Matt Razzotti) who could possibly fill that role.
Razzotti, a 2007 sixth-round draft choice, played college ball at Manhattan, where he hit .367 for his career. Currently, he is in Double-A with Reading of the East Coast League and is hitting .378 with 10 home runs, 35 RBI and .682 slugging percentage in 42 games.
If Hendry could pull this off with out sending to much money Philadelphia’s way, I would be all for it.
Sure, Razzotti is a sleeper, but if it worked out the Cubs would release themselves from Zambrano and would grab a worthy candidate to replace Lee.
GO CUBS GO!
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