Come to Think of It: Carlos Zambrano Trade Options

Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune first reported that the Cubs will explore a deal for Carlos Zambrano, though Bleacher Report readers on the Cubs site know that I floated the concept more than a month ago.

It just makes sense. For one thing, the Cubs are seriously weighed down with expensive, long-term contracts that limit their ability to improve a team that was very disappointing this season.

Second, Zambrano, for all of his obvious talent, is a head case who can’t seem to keep his emotions in check to channel that energy in a positive manner. Instead, he sulks, he gets angry, and loses his composure. You just can’t play the game of baseball angry all the time.

Zambrano has also developed a penchant for walking too many batters. This reduces how far he can work into games because his pitch counts are too high, too early.

Big Z is also one of the only Cubs players who are signed long-term that may actually have some value on the trade market. After sending Milton Bradley home, the Cubs have basically sent the message to other teams that they can have him for nothing. Expect any team that has interest in Bradley (and believe it or not, there may be a couple) to wait to see if the Cubs release him.

Considering all of these factors, the Cubs PR machine is making the same kind of push to get Zambrano out of town that they did years ago in an effort to turn public sentiment against Sammy Sosa.

But Carlos has a full no-trade clause. So, where would he agree to go if traded? Sources say that Zambrano will only go to the White Sox, Red Sox or Dodgers. That may change, but if it doesn’t, it will be extremely difficult for Jim Hendry to move him.

The White Sox may have had some interest before obtaining Jake Peavy, but with the burden of Peavy’s huge contract, and four very capable starters, don’t look for Kenny Williams to take on Zambrano’s deal despite the relationship that Zambrano has with Sox manager Ozzie Guillen.

The Dodgers might be interested, however. What could they offer in return? Well, it may depend on how much of Z’s contract Hendry is willing to assume.

If Hendry pays part of Zambrano’s salary, the Cubs can ask for more in return. Say, Matt Kemp or Andre Ethier would be nice, for example. Chad Billingsley may also be available. But if the Cubs expect a team to take on the full amount of Z’s remaining deal, then they are unlikely to obtain more than fringe prospects in return.

That leaves the Boston Red Sox. GM Theo Epstein is one smart cookie, and he sees what everyone else does, too. Big talent, but bigger headaches are not what Epstein usually signs on for. And he can smell Hendry’s desperation and would surely try to take advantage.

But the BoSox certainly have some young players with serious potential, like Michael Bowden, Clay Buchholz and Daniel Bard (future Cubs closer?). Meanwhile, they are said to be very interested in King Felix Hernandez, who may get moved because of his impending price tag.

But since you can’t move Alfonso Soriano, something has to be done to free up some payroll for Hendry to make some moves to improve this ballclub.

Do I trust Hendry to make the right moves? Hardly, but he will return as GM, so you have to hope for the best. Let’s hope he has a much better offseason that he did last winter, come to think of it.