The agreed-upon trade between the Cubs and Marlins of volatile former star Carlos Zambrano for talented former phenom Chris Volstad works for everyone.
The Cubs get rid of the volatile Zambrano, who had lost his friends in the clubhouse after losing is way on the mound last year.
The Marlins give up Volstad, whose great promise has seemed to dissipate the past few years to the point where he was an unacceptable 5-13 with a 4.89 ERA for the Marlins in 2011.
This trade represents a fresh start for both right-handers. It is expected to be announced Thursday.
The Cubs will have to send the bulk of Zambrano's $18-million 2012 salary to Florida, as well. But Zambrano was lost for them anyway. No matter what Cubs people said about how Zambrano could come back for them, the reality was that he needs a new beginning. He gets that with his old friend Ozzie Guillen, who has the best chance of almost anyone of finding the old Zambrano. Guillen had been begging his new Marlins bosses to acquire Zambrano, and this was one (of many) wishes they could fulfill; the Cubs were even more desperate to be rid of him.
Volstad needs to find his way, too. The 6-foot-8 right-hander from South Florida may do better away from home. He showed tremendous promise his first year in Florida but only flashes since. It shouldn't be too late for him, either. He's only 25.
Blog Entry
Zambrano-Volstad trade works for Cubs, Marlins
Posted on: January 4, 2012 7:30 pm
Edited on: January 24, 2012 8:51 pm
Comments
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Since: Nov 29, 2011 |
Posted on: January 5, 2012 10:50 pm
Zambrano-Volstad trade works for Cubs, MarlinsThis is a win win trade even though the Cubs had to send so much cash to Miami. It was money well sent. Volstad wins 10 games and it will be considered a steal.
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Since: Dec 24, 2011 |
Posted on: January 5, 2012 2:38 pm
Zambrano-Volstad trade works for Cubs, MarlinsNumber 1 reason Jim Hendry got fired, was that he was to loyal to his veterans and didn't know when to get rid of them. I'm surprised they actually got that much for him at this point. Hopefully Volstad can return to his rookie form, and be a contributing factor to the starting rotation.
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Since: Apr 23, 2007 |
Posted on: January 5, 2012 12:56 pm
Zambrano-Volstad trade works for Cubs, Marlinsa few years back, I volunteered at Cook County's Domestic Violence Courts assisting abuse victims with forms needed to get Orders of Protection. I remember my supervisor telling me the typical victim goes back to their abuser 7 times before making a clean break from the pathological hold.
for some reason, this always come to mind when I hear Cubs fans talking continuing to talk up Z or bemoan his departure. This was a good move by the Cubs. They're not any closer to a World Series keeping the distraction at Wrigley. So long. |
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Since: Mar 15, 2008 |
Posted on: January 5, 2012 11:59 am
Zambrano-Volstad trade works for Cubs, Marlinswhat a sophmoric, cliche filled article.
This does not benefit the Cubs in anyway. They could of given Zambrano away for nothing, and paid 80% of his salary, at any time. Anybody would love to have Zambrano for $3 million. |
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Since: Dec 7, 2006 |
Posted on: January 5, 2012 8:12 am
Zambrano-Volstad trade works for Cubs, MarlinsThe Cubs did win 2 division titles with Zambrano as their ace, without him throwing at batters. The man does have good stuff, and perhaps Ozzie can control the guy so that he behaves. (Of course then the question becomes, can Ozzie behave too?) He won’t be an ace on the Marlins’ staff, which is good for them. This is really a win-win trade, if it goes through, which I’m sure it will. For the Marlins it is worth the risk to get a quality pitcher who costs virtually nothing, and may just fit in in Miami. The Cubs get rid of a guy who can not possibly help them in 2012, who is a liability, and get a young pitcher who may or may not develop into something decent. There is no down side to this trade for either side. They are both taking good risks. If Zambrano throws a tantrum, then the Marlins just release him, as he will cost them very little money. If he behaves and pitches decently, they got a bargain. |
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Since: Feb 19, 2010 |
Posted on: January 5, 2012 7:53 am
Zambrano-Volstad trade works for Cubs, MarlinsHe's going to blow up at some point next season, it's just inevitable.
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Since: Sep 19, 2011 |
Posted on: January 5, 2012 3:22 am
Zambrano-Volstad trade works for Cubs, MarlinsThe Cubs management should get down on bended knees and thank the baseball gods that they found some team willing to take this head case off their hands.I though the Cubs would be stuck with Zambrano, Now if the Cubs could find someone to take Soriano. |
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Since: Aug 18, 2006 |
Posted on: January 5, 2012 2:40 am
Zambrano-Volstad trade works for Cubs, MarlinsThat Pierre trade was fairly even. Pinto was garbage and Mitre fell off the Earth into oblivion. Nolasco was good one year and garbage every season after. I actually think the Cubs won on that deal and should have chose to keep Pierre.
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Since: Aug 18, 2006 |
Posted on: January 5, 2012 2:37 am
Zambrano-Volstad trade works for Cubs, MarlinsThe Marlins probably didn't include a prospect, because Volstad is a better pitcher than Zambrano right now. He also once was an elite prospect who dominated his first season in the majors, but fell afterward. It is a fairly even trade. If the Marlins gave up Logan Morrison the Cubs would have to give them Geovany Soto and maybe another minor leaguer. The Marlins are tring to sign LoMo to a longterm contract so I don't see why he needs a change of scenery when the team likes him?
Besides that the Marlins had a 3,000 12,000 fan base in Broward County. Now they play in Miami Dade. The Cubs needed this deal more than the Marlins so they should thank them for taking the load off their hands. |
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Since: Dec 4, 2007 |
Posted on: January 5, 2012 12:04 am
Zambrano-Volstad trade works for Cubs, MarlinsMy bad that 2004 trade was actually Ricky Nolasco, Sergio Mitre and Reynel Pinto for Juan Pierre.
Actually that's Jim Hendry's bad. I don't miss him. |
