Oliver Perez gets paid $12,000,000 to sit on his behind.
How bad do you want to get rid of Mets starter Oliver Perez? So bad that you would trade him for Carlos (Big Z) Zambrano and some cash? Similar to the bad contracts swap of Miltron Bradley for Carlos Silva where the Mariners sent the Cubs Carlos Silva and $9M for Milton Bradley, the Cubs would be sending us Zambrano and cash for Perez.
In case you missed it, Cubs P Carlos Zambrano has been suspended indefinitely after being sent home from the U.S. Cellular Field by managegr Lou Pinella during Friday’s game. Zambrano was separated from 1B Derrek Lee after an argument in the dugout after the 1st inning, and was removed from the game. Essentially, Carlos was upset at Lee for not diving for a Juan Pierre double down the line, leading to a four run inning.
After the game, Cubs General Manager Jim Hendry and manager Lou Pinella expressed their frustration.
ESPN Chicago has some good quotes from Hendry:
“It becomes a bit of a tired act,” Hendry said. “People think that he hasn’t been spoken to by Lou and his staff or the general manager before. Things are sometimes construed as being let go or let slide by — that’s certainly not true. You have every right to say it like that, that it’s a recurring situation. And every time it recurs, it is a little bit more disappointing.”
“He really hasn’t been up to the standards that he was before for two seasons,” Hendry said. “If you look at his last 50 starts, he probably ranks in the bottom third of the National League of overall performance, and I’m not saying that critically. That’s not something that I’m tying in with today, but that’s part of the decision that was criticized at the time, like we were taking our ace out of the rotation.
“At that time we did it,” Hendry continued, “I think it was a 40-start lookback that we did, and it really didn’t wind up very well. … I expect him to win more than nine wins like last year, and certainly, he deserved to be given a large contract. He was one of the best pitchers in the game for four, five years and did a tremendous job.”
It certainly looks like the Cubs have finally had enough with Zambrano and wouldn’t mind if he was no longer part of the team. The problem for the Cubs is that they owe Zambrano $19M this year and $38M for the next two seasons his full no trade clause. Even if Hendry can convince Zambrano to waive his no trade clause, few teams would be willing to take on Zambrano’s salary. However, the Mets have their own issues with Oliver Perez who is owed $24M for this and next season with no hopes for a decent return. [Salary info courtesy of Cot's Baseball Contracts]
Zambrano, the Cubs Opening Day starter, was sent to the bullpen after four starts where he posted a 7.45 ERA and a 1.86 WHIP in 19.1 innings. However, in his four starts after returning from the bullpen, Zambrano posted a 3.63 ERA and a 1.57 WHIP in 22.1 innings. Looking at Zambrano’s peripherals, I think Zambrano could be a good pitcher at Citi Field. Zambrano is striking out batters at 8.56 KK/9 and is also walking batters at 4.12 BB/9. His batting average of balls in play (BABIP) is at an astronomical .370, meaning he has been unlucky and his ERA should improve since league average is .300. [Player stats courtesy of FanGraphs and Baseball-Reference]
The Mets need starting pitching and the Cubs have a starter they can’t control. There’s an argument to be made that a big personality like Zambrano’s would mess up the good vibrations currently permeating in the Mets Clubhouse. However, even though a little fire never hurt any one, I think fellow Venezuelans Santana, K-Rod and Blanco could tame El Toro.
I won’t speculate on what kind of cash it would take to make this a good deal for both teams, but it would certainly have to be sufficient enough to cover most of the difference between Perez’s and Zambrano’s contracts. The best part of the deal is we get rid of Ollie, get a decent pitcher in return [for close to what we're paying Ollie] and it costs no prospects. Who knows, maybe Big Z has another no-hitter in him.
Would you trade Ollie for Zambrano and cash?
30 comments
Hazmet
6/26/2010-8:01am at 8:01 am (UTC -4)
Great question. Trying to think of an alternate to this I pondered “what about Vernon Wells contract & cash for Ollie and still trade for Lee instead?”. But man that Well’s contract really is the worst in baseball and through 2014 so forget that idea. My thought was get a CF if the Met’s were to include Pagan in a package for Lee, thereby the genesis of the disasterous Wells thought that ran through my head. I’m actually reaching for the Excedrin now that it’s worked it’s way through.
So back to the question, I think I’d rather trade for a Lee rental vs. adding Z to the mix. It is a closer call then I thought given Blanco is in our ranks and Z has had success with him in the past to my recollection. Other question that I don’t know if it came up yesterday is “are they trying to showcase Thole to the Mariner’s with his call up or is it strictly to give Rod some recovery time?”
CaseStreet
6/26/2010-8:28am at 8:28 am (UTC -4)
Now I have a headache,ouch. I doubt Omar would include pagan in any trade.
If the cubs paid for z’s contract like the angels did for gmj, you could still rent lee
njstuckintx
6/26/2010-8:34am at 8:34 am (UTC -4)
Yeah, I couldn’t see where Omar could spin it to the masses or the players like “hey, we’ve made the team better. We’ve got big Z!!!” (Cue: sound of crickets chirping) “Um, for Ollie?” (Cue: the crowds rejoice!)
Hazmet
6/26/2010-9:19am at 9:19 am (UTC -4)
lol, a well written screenplay
Hazmet
6/26/2010-9:17am at 9:17 am (UTC -4)
Yeah I agree but I saw the Mejia & Pagan rumor threads yesterday so I’m late to the party with that in mind. It will be interesting to see what Lee goes for, I’ve read everything from 5 prospects to the high Twins prospect Catcher Ramos+ to Mejia +++??. Who know’s, it’s fun to kick it around though.
njstuckintx
6/26/2010-8:30am at 8:30 am (UTC -4)
If it breaks down to being the exact same money, IE the cubs cover the difference between the 2, I could see it being a good chance. BUT, it would be a 1 chance or you are to the curb. They have to be prepared to jettison him the first instance he starts acting up. (The fact the Mets haven’t kicked Ollie off the team cause they are scared to eat the money makes me wonder if they’d be able to do that for Big Z. Maybe cause it isn’t really “their” bad signing they’d be more apt to do it.)
The chemistry seems to be very good in the club house. I’d hate to let one bad apple ruin the bunch.
And lastly, the statement by Hendry would still make me leary based on the numbers he’s put up being in the lower 1/3 of the league. Then again, it’s not like Ollie’s have been stellar either.
ceetar
6/26/2010-8:43am at 8:43 am (UTC -4)
I don’t trust Manuel to be a disciplinarian type that would restrain Zambrano and tell him to cool it. I’m not sure if I trust Wright to do so either.
njstuckintx
6/26/2010-8:47am at 8:47 am (UTC -4)
Maybe they could re-sign Kevin Mitchell for PH ability and “muscle”.
ceetar
6/26/2010-8:42am at 8:42 am (UTC -4)
I would, right now, because it’s pretty much a no-brainer. I’m of the belief that Oliver has a lot to offer yet, but right now if he’s not offering it to the Mets whether it be slow recovery from surgery, lame-brainedness, or poor coaching of his game, I’d trade him for what I believe to be a better pitcher anyway.
Gotta figure the Cubs would too. Yahoo doesn’t even list Zambrano as on the active roster.
CaseStreet
6/26/2010-9:21am at 9:21 am (UTC -4)
Ultimately, that’s what it comes down to me. Who is the better pitcher.
oleosmirf
6/26/2010-8:59am at 8:59 am (UTC -4)
depends how much cash the Cubs are willing to give us…if they are willing to eat enough of the contract so that Ollie and Zambrano are pretty much a straight swap, then i would do it but anything less than that is too much.
I’d rather trade for Oswalt as we get a much better pitcher, that is a better person and at a cheaper cost. I would throw also try to throw Perez in any trade we make and eat the majority of his contract…as he is useless for the Mets.
CaseStreet
6/26/2010-9:26am at 9:26 am (UTC -4)
I agree about oswalt, but who would want Ollie? Only a desperate team who has no other choice. If the. If the cubs really want to get rid of Z they’re going to have to take a bad contract. Oswalt could still happen since we would be getting rid of Ollie.
njstuckintx
6/26/2010-9:31am at 9:31 am (UTC -4)
I know that the Astros have mentioned they would eat some salary on Oswalt for a better package of prospects, but I’m not sure how that would work with sending Ollie there. They could use the MLB ready pitcher, but then again, is Ollie MLB ready?
oleosmirf
6/26/2010-12:55pm at 12:55 pm (UTC -4)
well lets say instead of them eating some cash for Oswalt, they absorb some of Ollie’s contract.
The money for Houston would be exactly the same just they get Ollie as a throw in. It costs us money but we will have to buy out Ollie eventually. You cant keep him on the DL the rest of his contract and he doesn’t deserve to be in the rotation.
njstuckintx
6/26/2010-9:25am at 9:25 am (UTC -4)
Any one of you guys read the “re-inventing the mets” article on Mack’s Mets? Gave a pretty good synopsis for having no issues in shipping off prospects, based on the spots currently filled for the present/future and only glaring needs for 2011.
I’ll admit I’d love to have Carl Crawford like he mentions at the end, but unless you are signing him to play RF for 1 year or can move Beltran in his final year of his contract, I think the money would be better spent on the added salary of Oswalt/Haren or signing a SP via free agency (Lee? prob. not.).
CaseStreet
6/26/2010-9:31am at 9:31 am (UTC -4)
If pagan can continue to play like he has, not much of a difference between the two except for more stolen bases from Crawford, but pagan would be much cheaper.
njstuckintx
6/26/2010-9:33am at 9:33 am (UTC -4)
Yeah, I think Pagan is playing himself into the RF candidate for next year with Fmart (injury willing) the 4th OF spot. I like Frenchy, but for his impending uptick in salary arb. I think he’s trade bait/non-tender candidate.
Hazmet
6/26/2010-9:33am at 9:33 am (UTC -4)
Baseball stuff I read this morning that made me smile:
1. Dusty Baker says Gary Matthews Jr. “has got to get his act together” before the outfielder earns a shot at the Reds’ big league lineup, writes MLB.com’s Mark Sheldon. Courtesy of MLBTR.
2. David Lennon’s opening paragraph in Newsday today: “The Mets were forced to play Friday with a shorthanded bullpen and a lineup missing two of its starters. Fortunately for them, it was only an Americal League opponent”.
Lennon’s been my favorite beat writer this year going back to him being the only one before the season to state the Met’s should be the Wildcard favorites and project to be around an 88 win team. This was when everyone had them winning under 75 games. Related to his article today, love his standing up with sarcasm to the superiority of the AL speak that is alway’s shoved in our face each interleague season.
rustyjr
6/26/2010-9:45am at 9:45 am (UTC -4)
Gassing up my jeep right now !! Should take me 48 hrs to puck up Ollie in psl & get to chitown !
CaseStreet
6/26/2010-10:28am at 10:28 am (UTC -4)
Lol, don’t know what’s crazier bing in a car with Ollie or Big Z?
rustyjr
6/26/2010-10:43am at 10:43 am (UTC -4)
with zambrano all i have to give him is dramamine – ollie would need cat tranquilizers lol
steveo
6/26/2010-9:48am at 9:48 am (UTC -4)
No way on the zambrano. That guy is a nut and a violent one, ollie is just a nut. Besides ollie as of now is only owed 18 million where as Zambrano is owed like 47 million over the next 2 and a half.
whataputz
6/26/2010-10:38am at 10:38 am (UTC -4)
Yeah but if he kills somebody I’m pretty sure the Mets can stop paying him, and that there makes him more valuable than Ollie.
GravediggerHebner
6/26/2010-10:59am at 10:59 am (UTC -4)
I haven’t read the post yet, my initial answer is NO!
Now I’m going to read it and see if anything you’ve presented makes me reconsider.
CaseStreet
6/26/2010-11:04am at 11:04 am (UTC -4)
I feel like one of the top chef contestants. I hope you like my quiche.
GravediggerHebner
6/26/2010-11:16am at 11:16 am (UTC -4)
I think your post, as always, is well presented both in terms of information and aesthetics.
I admire the creativity in general but this specific idea I don’t support.
The Mets are 9 months (baseball season-wise) from the end of the Perez mistake. They would be 15 baseball months away from the end of Zambrano. Perez is a lot of undesirable things but one that he is not is an in-your-face a-hole. Zambrano takes that to another level.
There has been a lot written and said about the better chemistry of the Mets this year. Perez is their own science project, they know how to manage it. Zambrano is a brick of potassium thrown into the Mets swimming pool.
You see Zambrano’s peripherals and envision him working out well in Citi Field which is an assertion I cannot dispute. I can only say that I see his peripherals and see a steadily declining pitcher. One who has an outrageous uncontrollable temper, one who is overweight, one who is overpaid.
I can see the light at the end of the Perez tunnel and I see no reason to lengthen that tunnel with a new addition.
So again very thoughtful, original and well presented but if I were the decision maker and this were being presented to me I would decline. Now if the Cubs want to throw in Ryan Theriot for Luis Castillo as part of the deal…
CaseStreet
6/26/2010-11:40am at 11:40 am (UTC -4)
Thank you iron chef. But, what’s not to like? Custard, good. Jam, good. Meat, good.
I could go both ways, not that I ever have or wanted to, I’m a family man.
Seriously, though, you ain’t lying. I’ve given up on Ollie ever doing anything for the Mets, other than take his $1M a month salary, while Z has some value as a pitcher. I guess I’m willing to accept Z’s A-holeness as long as it didn’t affect the team and Omar would be willing to GMJ his ass if he got too out of line.
metsfan4decades
6/26/2010-11:48am at 11:48 am (UTC -4)
I’m in agreement here with Grave – who stated it better than I could.
If you peruse the Cubs blogs, most of the fans just can’t stand him. It goes behind the ‘release Ollie’ hate of some Met fans. He’s not only NOT living up the contract, he’s causing hate and discontent in the clubhouse, with the manager as well as the fans.
If you believe Pelf’s interview when Ollie was first removed from the rotation, the pitchers have his back. They believe he’s sincere in wanting to pitch well and help the ball club. I don’t get that same sense of team spirit from Z. It’s about him, all about him and has always been about him. Hence the temper tantrums. There has not been a hint of that with Ollie.
I’d rather keep Ollie, thanks.
CaseStreet
6/26/2010-12:25pm at 12:25 pm (UTC -4)
Yeah, I was perusing some Cubbie Blue myself. They’re not too happy with anyone, especially Zambrano, though they still love him for the no-hitter.
I’ve never followed Z’s tantrums, so I can’t comment on previous ones. I’m fine with him getting his Lee’s face about not diving for the ball, that just shows me he wants to win and doesn’t have to be all nice about it, which the Mets have been accused of in the past.
I believe Ollie wants to pitch well and help the team, too, but the guy has lost it. The team won’t be able to keep him on the DL forever. I can’t remember the last time I saw good Ollie.
I hope Ollie comes back and is able to show some consistency, otherwise, I really hope Omar finds a new home for him.
GravediggerHebner
6/26/2010-12:52pm at 12:52 pm (UTC -4)
I have no idea if there is any real world justification for me thinking this at all but I feel that next season, in season (late spring training at the earliest, All-Star break at the latest), the Mets will be comfortable with releasing these non-performers with bad contracts who will be in the last year of those contracts.
Ollie & Luis (who I am referring to) will be less likely to come back and haunt the Mets on the Mets dollar and I believe (again with no substantiation) that this is a big reason the Mets haven’t released these guys already.
Unless both guys perform well enough to justify being kept (over someone else cheap from the system, say Mejia and Tejada hypothetically) I think by roughly this time next year both will be gone.