According to David Kaplan, the Kansas City Royals will look into a Carlos Zambrano trade. But only if the price is right and if it’ll help the club now. Also, if it’ll help the team in the future. David Kaplan was told about the Royals having interest in Zambrano by Mark Carman of 610 Sports Radio. Carman talked to the Royals General Manager Dayton Moore.
Moore’s commets about pitcher Carlos Zambrano:
“We would have to be interested. We would have to explore it because that’s what you should do. You should explore every opportunity. Carlos Zambrano is a heckuva competitor. Carlos Zambrano has had a lot of success in the major leagues. Carlos Zambrano is actually a very pleasant, easy going, classy person off the field. Sometimes, as with all of us the competitiveness takes over and brings out qualities in us that we are not proud of. Obviously the Cubs grew tired of some of his outbursts but I believe in our coaching staff and we’ll always take a chance and a risk on certain players. We’ll see how that particular situation unfolds.”
Also, Moore had to say this:
“He has a no-trade clause for 29 other teams so he is going to have to be comfortable wherever he goes and there is a lot of money attached to his deal. There is a vesting option that is a part of that worth $18 or 19 million going forward. We certainly wouldn’t want to put ourselves in a position where we have to honor a contract of that nature.”
Carlos Zambrano is due to make 18 million in 2012 and a 19.25 million vesting option in 2013. The 2013 vesting option will be guarantee if Zambrano finishes in the top 4 of the CY award during the 2012 season (doesn’t look likely).
I don’t see the Royals taking on half or most of the contract, but we never know. If the Cubs were to take on most or all of the contract, maybe the Cubs could get a better return. That does seem likely because I doubt the Cubs will pay most of the contract and get nothing in return. Another option could be…the Cubs don’t take on much of the contract and get almost nothing in return. Jed Hoyer mention last week that the Ricketts family will let the Cubs eat any contract that will better the team. So…we could see a trade that is the first option. Paying most of the contract and getting a better return. If the Cubs and Royals want to get tricky, both teams could make the trade bigger. The Cubs offering more pieces and so do the Royals. One guy I would love the Cubs to acquire is 3B/LF Alex Gordon; however, that does not seem likely as the Royals look like they want to win finally. Out of all 3 options I mentioned… I see the Cubs paying a majorty of the contract and getting better ‘spects in return. The Royals farm system ain’t bad.
It looks like the Royals are all about pitching right now as they made a trade for a pitcher yesterday. The Royals traded OF Melky Cabrera to the Giants for P Jonathan Sanchez and a minor league pitcher.
Buster Olney wrote that the Cubs are expected to deal with the Carlos Zambrano situation next week. Right now, Zambrano has been pitching for Venezuela.
About a month ago, we heard that Zambrano may go to Miami and re-up with friend Ozzie Guillen. As much as Guillen wants Zambrano, the Marlins front office really does not want Zambrano on their team. They already have Hanley Ramirez and doesn’t need another headcase. So… a Zambrano/Miami trade does not look likely anymore.
When Zambrano is said to be available, more teams are expected to have interest, states David Kaplan.
I see the Carlos Zambrano situation to be finalize sooner than later. My guess would be a trade, if it’s to the Royals or another team. I just can’t see Zambrano throwing another pitch in Cubbie Blue.
