Screwy media idea: Figgins for Big Z
Apparently, working at ESPN.com is messing with Chris Kahrl's head . . .
7 months ago
The Ancient Mariner
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I don't mind this.
If nothing else, it gets the money off the books after the end of next season. If the money is a sunk cost (which I’m gathering is the majority opinion), I’d rather the sunk cost be spent on a guy holding down a rotation spot for Paxton/Hultzen for a year than a guy sitting on the bench.
No matter where you go, there you are.
There is that, to be sure
and if our FO were to make this deal, I’d trust they’d done their due diligence on Zambrano the person. It does seem the Cubs mishandled him pretty significantly, so maybe we could get him without the explosions. But you know, last year his K/9 dropped to 6.24, and his groundball rate’s been dropping steadily — down to 42.4% last season; his line drive rate has been inching its way up, and his contact rate is climbing with it: last year contact% 84.8%, Z-contact 90.9%, swinging strike rate just 6.7%. Sure, he posted a lower K/9 in 2008 (6.20), but that season his contact numbers were all better than in 2011 (though admittedly still well below his norms to that point).
All of which is to say, if Zambrano bounces back a little next season — and moving from Wrigley to Safeco would surely help, given that he’s become a flyball pitcher; getting away from the Chicago media would have to help, too — then yeah, he’d do us a lot more good than Figgins. But if he keeps declining, he’d be a huge problem (in more ways than one).
by The Ancient Mariner on Nov 10, 2011 8:19 AM PST up reply actions
Pedantry
It is not a sunk cost. Yet.
http://www.lookoutlanding.com/2011/5/27/2193467/the-case-against-adam-kennedy-at-third-base
I forgot about that post and I stand corrected.
I still think the swap makes sense. I don’t think Chone Figgins should be looked at as a starter come 2013 and tying up that much money for a bench player (even if he becomes McLemore v 2.0) seems misplaced. I understand why some would be against the idea of another swap with the Cubs, but I think the positives outweigh the negatives. This all ends up devolving into an exercise in “what ifs?” though so I’m just going to focus on feeling good for Willie Bloomquist.
No matter where you go, there you are.
I would be all for this if not for the Milton Bradley Experiment
I don’t want the M’s to be known as a dumping ground for players who want a second chance. Or a twelfth chance.
by pdb on Nov 10, 2011 7:57 AM PST reply actions 2 recs
I feel no need to have a new Mariner to hate
I’ve just settled in nicely with my hatred for Figlet, and don’t want to have to learn a whole new villain.
Seriously, though, the club is continuing its rebuild, and should be getting extended season-long looks at a bunch of new guys. Last thing they need is a potential distraction.
But it is one year of distraction instead of two.
If we are rebuilding next year anyways, I’d rather have all of the money owed to Figgins off the books before the 2013 season when we might actually be competitive. And it’s not like Figgins hasn’t had his share of clubhouse issues.
I rather sell Figgins for whatever we can get, then spend it on a pitcher
I mean if freaking Willie can get $2 million a year, Figgins must be worth a fortune.
Zambrano’s a headcase. Do not want.
What makes me laugh is that he thinks Alex Liddi can start at 3B next season
What makes me cry is that he’s our next best option after Seager
Aww man.
Between the fans and the media, I’ve read proposals for this, John Lackey, and Jason Bay. None of them suggest kicking over additional cash nor value (ie. players) to compensate for the difference.
No meaningful difference in cash
just in the timeframe; they have about the same amount coming, but Zambrano gets it all next year while Figgins’ money is spread over two more years.
by The Ancient Mariner on Nov 11, 2011 7:59 AM PST up reply actions
It does present a problem for 2012
For Zambrano, the team would be paying an additional $9 million to swap a bad player for a player who causes major headaches. Comparatively speaking, that’s almost all the team could spend on the 2011 team, period. It effectively kills the advantages for having money come off the books for 2012. The end result is less resources to improve the team….and a potential timebomb explosion.
The team would have $8 million more available for 2013, but the advantage is, in part, offset by likely being in a worse position and thus requiring more resources to improve.
I think both Chone and Z would benefit by getting away from fan bases that by either poor performance or emotional instability, have alienated. I would do this as the mariners because the upside of having Zambrano semi return to form would be a #2 starter for the year and greatly help our run prevention. If Zambrano implodes its an easy cut. While the upside with Figgins is useful bench player/borderline starter at this point.
by dougstrangerthanfiction on Nov 14, 2011 8:46 AM PST reply actions
Googled Carlos Zambrano
“"There’s no secret we need to get some depth in the rotation,’’ Hoyer said. "We need to find ways to improve the defense, and we need to probably find a little more athleticism on the bases.’’
Chone Figgins exactly.
by dougstrangerthanfiction on Nov 14, 2011 8:54 AM PST reply actions
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