When I heard about the Cubs’ decision to move starter Carlos Zambrano to the bullpen, I calmly waited for the backlash and fireworks to start. I was sure that the demotion would provoke Big Z to burn Wrigley Field down or at the very least, have a lovely meal with his family at Harry Caray’s Restaurant and not tip.
But there was no backlash, no outrage or fireworks. Zambrano essentially took the move in stride and shut his mouth, which should make everyone curious about what the hell is going on these days on the north side of Chicago.
Whatever it is, GM Jim Hendry says there’s nothing mysterious happening behind the curtain, which includes getting Zambrano so worked up that he agrees to drop his no trade clause.
From the Chicago Tribune:
Hendry shrugged off speculation the move was made for reasons that have nothing to do with the bullpen problems, such as tryng to get Zambrano to waive his no-trade clause.
“There’s absolutely nothing mysterious about it,” he said. “The bottom line is at this particular time it makes us a better club… It certainly was not a situation he was expecting, so he had every right to think ‘Why this?’ That’s what players do. But he handled it well and I thought he did a real nice job the first time.
Hendry said Zambrano didn’t “throw poorly,” but was the best choice of the starters to do the job.
It all sounds good on the surface and seeing as how the Cubs have won four in a row, the move appears to be working. But whom does Hendry think he’s fooling here? Zambrano is making $17.85 million this year, is set to make $17.85 million next season and $18 million in 2012. Relievers don’t make that kind of money – aces do.
Maybe the move really is only temporary. Maybe the Cubs really don’t have any plans to get Z to drop his no trade clause. Maybe this was a move that was made in the best interest of the team.
All I know is that Carlos Zambrano is a 24/7 ticking time bomb and there’s no way he can be fine with this new arraignment. Something is going to go down at some point and when it happens, I’ll be the first to grab my popcorn and wait for the show.
Photo from fOTOGLIF
