Big Z would have vetoed trade
MESA, Ariz. _ Carlos Zambrano says this morning he's at 260 pounds, down about 12-15 from last year. He adds that he's got 5 more to go. What's helping is a special diet, with prepared meals being delivered to him down here.
Anyway, we spent about 15 minutes with Big Z this morning. I asked him about the trade rumors that dogged him this off-season, even though he has a no-trade clause. He said that GM Jim Hendry never called him about it and that he would have vetoed the idea anyway.
"I want to finish here," he said. "I want to finish my career here. I would say no (to a trade)."
He added the trade talk was all "speculation by the media." He looked at a couple people when he said that, but not at me.
Z also revealed that he's scrapped the cutter and will concentrate on the sinker, slider and "high fastball." The sinker is his best pitch, as it comes in heavy, like a cannonball. He also said most of his mistakes last year came on the cutter.
Elsewhere this morning:
--Tyler Colvin is among the position players here. He said in September his plan for the off-season was "to eat." He's up 25 pounds, and it looks like good weight.
--Xavier Nady, Mike Fontenot, Brett Jackson and Bobby Scales were among the position players I saw in the clubhouse today.
--Closer Carlos Marmol said he was working in the Dominican on control of his slider and fastball. He had 65 walks and 12 hit batters last season (after hitting five in spring training). He'll need to get that WHIP down from the feverish 1.46 of last year.
More to come on Big Z online today and in the paper tomorrow. Heading outside to shoot some more photos. Maybe we can post a couple here and on our photo gallery on the main page.
I find laughable that in the third year of his $91 million contract Zambrano decided he should show up to camp in shape. Gee, Big Z thanks for the commitment. The guys a bully and a clown. Look for him to implode physically, mentally or both by mid-season. Some ace you got there Cub fans.
Bruce, would you have preferred that the Cubs signed Johnny Damon to a 1 year deal rather than signing Byrd to a 2 year deal? Or signing Damon instead of Nady?
I really had no preference. The way it was looking, he might have been out of their price range anyway. They wanted to shore up their defense, too, and Damon's arm is not strong. They ended up with two instead of one.
Great...now he's getting his knee checked out?
Bruce, any details?
New blog coming. Likely MRI on right knee, the one that did not have surgery last year. Stay tuned.
I don't understand the feelings that Z was somehow a worse pitcher in '09 than he has been in the past?
His K's were back up to 8 k's/9...best since '06.
His BB's jumped up from '08, but right in line with his career numbers.
His HR rate improved dramatically...probably not sustainable
Best results since 2006 if you ask me...just didn't pitch the innings.
One thing about Zambrano is his WHIP was the highest of his career(at least since he became regular in the rotation). He also only pitched 169 innings. You can't have that from your #1 starter. He has to go deep into games and make all his starts. I think alot of people are growing weary of his antics, and his lack of dedication. Hopefully, he has changed the dedication part.
I would hope for a slightly improved statistical year from Z and about 50 more innings.
Look at the lack of run support, too. We have to stop focusing on "wins" totals. They are subject to several variables, some out of the pitcher's control. The idea of trading him was pure folly. Look at the stats you cited, Boozer, and others.
Injury was really the problem last season. Too many mainstream media members continue to focus on win-loss record. (Not you, of course, Bruce.)
I mean, why would he reveal something like that in the press, where other teams can get word of it? Sometimes it's hard to tell when he's being serious and when he's just joking around or saying something off the top of his head.
Bruce,
Is there any chance Colvin makes the team as a backup OF, and fill in at 1st base. I think he can play as good of outfield defense as anyone on the team. I think most project him as a 4th OF or maybe the LH part of a platoon at this point. Do the Cubs think he has more in him than this?
Colvin would not have been up last year at all had it not been for Milton being suspended and Reed Johnson hurt. He'll start at AAA. He needs time there.
Do you or the Cubs brass think he has any hope of ever being more than a 4th OF/platoon player? Might be interesting to see how the 25 lbs of muscle affect his production. Probably won't help his strike zone judgement much.
When did Zambrano add this pitch? Would be interested to see if there is any statistical difference before and afterwards. I would be glad to see him become a Kevin Brown clone. Sinker, slider, pitch to contact. Save the High Fastball for when he really needed a strikeout. With his stuff, K's would still come regularly anyway.
Why doesn't Zambrano use a changeup? He has large hands, I would imagine this pitch would come naturally to him. Maybe Maddux can teach it to him.
That the "prepared meals" that Z gets delivered to him are from Seattle Sutton? I bet Z is a big fan of "Acapulco Taco Pie".