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When Frustration Boils Over
2007-06-01 19:30
by Phil Bencomo

By now, I'm sure anyone near a TV, radio or computer has heard:

The big action at Wrigley Field on Friday was in the Chicago Cubs' dugout.

Pitcher Carlos Zambrano and catcher Michael Barrett shoved each other and had to be separated in the fifth inning of the Cubs' 8-5 loss to the Atlanta Braves.

Atlanta had just scored five runs in the top of the fifth to increase their lead to 7-1.

The futures of both Zambrano and Barrett, free agents this winter, were already questionable before the game. Zambrano with his 5+ ERA and increasing volatility, Barrett with nonstop blunders in every facet of the game... Today's events only sealed their fates.

At least one of the battling teammates is all but guaranteed gone by weekend's end. Neither will be back next season, and I have no desire to see them return.

The Cubs won't get much of value in return, and Hendry should be content to net a serviceable starter for Zambrano and middling prospects for Barrett. Let that be a message to the rest of the team: If your play or behavior is deemed unacceptable, you're gone, no matter the net loss.

It's pains me to say it, as a fan of Zambrano for so long, but even if Carlos miraculously overcomes his emotional problems, I doubt he'll ever achieve the same level of success that we saw even as recently as last season. Amid reports that his velocity and arm angle have dropped, corresponding with poor stats in nearly every pitching category, will we finally see the bitter fruits of his massive pitch counts and inning totals? Is Carlos doomed to become another Ismael Valdez, Dave Boswell or Jim Nash? The Cubs had better not be the team to find out.

More later, but for now, I'm just disgusted, with Zambrano, Barrett and whole pathetic squad.

UPDATE: Lou Piniella's postgame response:

"You don't want to see people fight one another on your own team,'' Piniella said, his voice escalating. ''At the same time you don't want to see some of the silliness going on on the field. I only have so many players I can play. You know? And it's about time some of them start playing like major leaguers! Or get somebody else in here who can catch the damn ball and run the bases properly! All right? That's all I can say!''

If the Cubs don't turn around soon, it sounds like Lou will want to see some big changes...

Comments
2007-06-01 19:38:09
1.   Bluebleeder87
things can't get much worse, hopefully the Cubbies turn the tide.
2007-06-01 21:58:22
2.   underdog
I wonder if the Yankees would want another Zambrano (the better one)? Nah, probably not. You could ask them though. I hear they need a backup catcher, too. ;-) Seriously, I think they could net a good prospect plus a serviceable starter for Zambrano.
2007-06-01 21:59:37
3.   underdog
Wait, it's the Mets with the other Zambrano. Never mind. I do think the Yankees would be one possible suitor. But not for both of them together. Heh.
2007-06-02 00:14:25
4.   Sandus
I don't care what you say, I wouldn't trade Carlos Zambrano for anything short of a sure thing. When Jeff Kent and Barry Bonds got into it in San Francisco, how quick were the Giants to jettison them for some other team's garbage?

Value is value, regardless of whatever "incidents" the players might find themselves involved in.

2007-06-02 04:23:12
5.   Chiron Brown
There might be some interest in Zambrano from the Israeli Baseball League. After all, a pitcher with a 5.62 ERA who just gave up 6 earned runs in 5 innings calling out a teammate for their bad play is the definition of chutzpah.
2007-06-02 06:44:55
6.   Bob Timmermann
I flew all the way to the Midwest just to see Koyie Hill get some action!
2007-06-02 06:54:49
7.   Josh Wilker
6: Was there any awareness of the incident in the stands? At least last year Barrett provided the paying fans with a great show.
2007-06-02 07:00:40
8.   Chyll Will
2 We're already waiting for Clemens, we don't really need another head with a blown gasket, thank you! >;)

Besides, he really doesn't want to play for the Yankees; something about there being too many rules. What would be interesting is if he tried to take out Jorge like that; now that would be Match of the Day.

Michael Barrett? (to the left, to the left...)

2007-06-02 08:26:18
9.   Phil Bencomo
4 There's no way the Giants were going to trade Bonds, and they had good reason: You don't trade away a 1.000+ OPS. But Kent (batting over .300 at the time of that incident) was gone the next season.

Zambrano and Barrett have been terrible this year, while Bonds and Kent were both excellent players in the midst of excellent seasons, so the situation isn't really comparable.

As for value, I agree, they need to get a decent replacement. They won't get a top-of-the-line player, but if they wait and Z continues to regress, that's when they'll be stuck with garbage, or a draft pick if they hold on to him and let him walk.

2007-06-02 09:29:15
10.   Johnny Nucleo
Completely unrelated: Long article in the NYT today by Buzz Bissinger on Kerry Wood.

http://tinyurl.com/27ll2d

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