ZAMBRANO AND CUBS AGREE TO 5 YEAR DEAL!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks to MLBtraderumors.com-

Cubs Sign Carlos Zambrano To Extension
According to Ken Rosenthal, the Cubs have inked Carlos Zambrano to a five-year, $91.5MM contract extension. The deal also has a $19.25MM player option for a sixth year, so you might as well call it 6/111.
By waiting, the Cubs cost themselves at least $11.5MM. It's unclear as to whether the original 5/80 deal Zambrano almost signed had a player option. The new contract carries Zambrano through his age 31 season.
This is a home team discount, but $18.3MM annually guaranteed is still pretty hefty. The discount is that the Cubs are on the hook for five or six years instead of seven or eight. And sure, Z probably could've gotten $20MM on the open market. The deal would look a lot better for the Cubs if the 2013 option was the club's. As a player option, Zambrano will basically only exercise it if he's in bad shape.
I've been back and forth on my opinion of a huge Zambrano extension, kind of like the pitcher's up and down season. Part of me says that the Cubs got a slight discount, Zambrano's been an injury-free horse, and he'll still be pretty young throughout the deal. The other side of me says that his best years are behind him, he's got a ton of mileage on his arm, and almost no free agent pitcher deal of this magnitude could possibly work out. I think you could make a legitimate case for either side - sorry for the cop out.
The free agent pitcher market is significantly worse for Zambrano's absence. The best option now appears to be Curt Schilling on a short-term deal, if you can get him.

Better now than never for the Cubs and Z to agree. I think this contract is a huge discount for the Cubs. With Z's rough start and yet he is still in line to win 18 games or more is beyond incredible. Zambrano was looking at 5 to 8 year deals worth 20-30 million a year on the open market( especially with teams like the Mets, Red Sox, and Yanks going after him). Now we can stop reading columns about " Zambrano would like it in NY" and " Zambrano will be the biggest FA on the market". Thank go we wont here that anymore! And teams in New York can finally talk about something besides all the money there are going to throw at Big Z. Big Z is a Cub and Im damn happy he is!

Cubs to take a strong look at Wily Mo!

Straight from the rumor mill and from my dedicated readers. Wily Mo Pena is expected to be DFA or traded in the next day or so. This is what the Boston Herald has to say-

The team has yet to announce Buchholz’ start because of the maneuvering required to add him to the 25-man roster. Indications point to underproductive outfielder Wily Mo Pena being traded or designated for assignment today or early tomorrow. Pena has cleared waivers and can be traded without restrictions.

The Cubs have expressed interest in Pena in the past. Jim tried to acquire him via trade before he was eventually traded to Boston for Arroyo. In the past 3 years Pena has draw interest from many teams but are hesitant because of his "lack to hit breaking pitches" and his lack of experience in the minor leagues before making the jump to the ML.

The Cubs ( who have had a full outfield until recently) have been bitten by the injury bug and other circumstances. Recently the cubs were looking to add Pods and Stewart via trade but they fell through. With Pagan and Soriano on the DL and having Fox and Murton splitting time in the outfield along with Jones, Pie, and Ward, the cubs are interested in picking up a bat. If the Cubs were to acquire Pena( which I don't hide, I would love that!) they would have a problem when Sori, Floyd and Pagan come back. I don't believe Pena can be sent down but if I had to pick between Murton and Pena. Ill take Pena! As far as who will go to Iowa if he is acquired, you gotta believe it would be Cedeno. He is not getting any PT with the way Derosa, Font, and Theriot are playing and personally he is nothing but a good AAA player.

Pena would come cheap especially if he is released. He is only making 1.875 million this year and would cost nothing to get the raw power righty. Now if we go the trade route it will likely be for a PTBNL or a minor leaguer not on the 40 man roster( so he doesn't have to pass waivers). Pena would be a great addition to this team and would really help them down the stretch especially when the Cubs extend the roster to 40 man on the 1st.

He can do nothing but help the Cubs. Come on Jim get it done!

Roster moves and the lineup they need out there

Cubs made some roster moves today once again-

CHICAGO – The Chicago Cubs today selected left-handed pitcher Carmen Pignatiello and recalled infielder/outfielder Jake Fox from Triple-A Iowa. In corresponding moves, right-handed pitcher Sean Gallagher and infielder Eric Patterson were optioned to Iowa. To make room for Pignatiello on the 40-man roster, catcher Henry Blanco has been transferred to the 60-day disabled list.

Lou is currently trying to find the right mix in his lineup with Sori and Floyd being out. Lou should listen to me on this and do this lineup.

Against RHP

Theriot SS
Jones RF
Dlee 1st
Aram 3b
Ward LF
Pie CF
Kendall/Hill C
Font 2nd

Against LHP

Therot SS
Kendall C
Dlee 1st
Aram 3b
Derosa 2b
Jones CF
Murton LF
Fox RF


Thats a solid lineup with some pop. To be honest I think Fox is better than Murton but thats just me.

Deals dead for Pods and Stewart??

According to MLBTR-

Cubs Deals For Podsednik, Stewart Dead
Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times reports that the Cubs will not be acquiring Scott Podsednik, and in fact chances were slim from the beginning. I saw a recent poll where the majority of Cubs fans thought the Cubs should trade for an outfielder. I disagree - I can't see a waiver acquisition improving upon the in-house options. The one possible exception I can think of is Matt Stairs. Regardless of my opinion, the Cubs will apparently go with what they've got.
Similarly, the idea of acquiring Shannon Stewart should be dismissed. According to the Contra Costa Times, Stewart's continued presence in an A's uniform means the deadline has passed for a trade. Joe Stiglich notes that Stewart could net the A's a high draft pick if he leaves via free agency.

But according to Hendry he still has some live claims out there for a couple of players. Yet he says he is comfortable with how the team is. Personally I am not comfortable how the team is. Trotting Murton to bat clean and playing everyday I'm not comfortable with. I understand he is having a good series, but most people have a good series when there at Coors. So until he makes it constant Hendry should still be looking. I am also not comfortable with Cedeno coming off the bench to pinch hit or as a defensive replacement. Hopefully he gets sent down when Ward comes back. Why doesn't Hendry trade for Wily Mo Pena??? He has cleared waivers without a claim and I think he could help this team especially with Pagan out. He has raw power, OK glove and arm.. why not trade Ohman and Cedeno for him?? Some moves need to be made to help this team while Pagan and Sori are out and in case of an injury because we cant lose anymore key players!

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In other news, Lou has said that the Cubs are going to be doing closer by committee. They guys you will see closing out games for the cubs are Marmol, Dempster, and Howry. I wouldn't be surprised to see Woody get some opportunities too.