Zambrano swapped for Volstad

[Kuzzy Powers]

According to ESPN Chicago's Bruce Levine, the Cubs have agreed to trade right-hander Carlos Zambrano to the Marlins for right-hander Chris Volstad.
The Cubs will eat $15 million of the $18 million remaining on Zambrano's boar of a contract. Volstad has been a disappointment in south Florida, but he's a former first-round pick and doesn't turn 26 years old until the end of the 2012 season. Perhaps he'll flourish with a change of scenery. Big Z posted a 4.82 ERA and 1.44 WHIP in 145 2/3 innings last year for the Cubs. He will function as Miami's fifth starter, behind Josh Johnson, Mark Buehrle, Anibal Sanchez and Ricky Nolasco.

Does Z have anything left? Volstad throws that heat but seems to lack any sort of control.

[chazmaniandevil]

is soriano next?

[Rudi]

Thats a great trade for Chicago in my opinion.

[EmpireWF]

Oh shit, Miami gets even more hilarious to watch. Zambrano under Guillen will be glorious.

[NAHSTE]

:lolol:

Just when I was starting to worry about the Marlins figuring it out.

[FedEx227]

That's a hell of a trade for the Cubs.

[Guest]

Great deal for both sides. Yes, the Cubs paid a bulk of that salary, but they would have paid it anyway for Zambrano to play for them. At least they get something back on it, and that is a young pitcher who could benefit from a new team. It was a risk to make this trade now, because you never know what kind of season Zambrano will put it. They could have been stuck with him and not gotten anything if he falls apart, or they could have gotten a better prospect back and paid less out.

For the Marlins, they are paying just $3 million for a former ace. At worst, they have a solid #5 starter. At best, he regains some of his form under Ozzie Guillen, who is one of the few people who can probably manage Zambrano.

I don't think Soriano is next, but you never know. With Zambrano, it is easier to absorb that money because it is the last year of his contract.

[FirstTimer]

Great deal for both sides. Yes, the Cubs paid a bulk of that salary, but they would have paid it anyway for Zambrano to play for them. At least they get something back on it, and that is a young pitcher who could benefit from a new team. It was a risk to make this trade now, because you never know what kind of season Zambrano will put it. They could have been stuck with him and not gotten anything if he falls apart, or they could have gotten a better prospect back and paid less out.

For the Marlins, they are paying just $3 million for a former ace. At worst, they have a solid #5 starter. At best, he regains some of his form under Ozzie Guillen, who is one of the few people who can probably manage Zambrano.

I don't think Soriano is next, but you never know. With Zambrano, it is easier to absorb that money because it is the last year of his contract.

Soriano would have to be a similar deal of us eating salary.

A lot of it depends on when they want to start the clock on Brett Jackson. My feeling is Theo will hope Soriano starts off hot in April and May then swing a deal around early June so Brett doesn't get super 2.

[dj_morton]

Baseball needs to hurry the hell up and get here..

[Warner2BruceTD]

Great trade by the Cubs.

I've never liked Zambrano, plus all of the other things to consider here.

[Guest]

Soriano would have to be a similar deal of us eating salary.

A lot of it depends on when they want to start the clock on Brett Jackson. My feeling is Theo will hope Soriano starts off hot in April and May then swing a deal around early June so Brett doesn't get super 2.

Yeah, I believe we've had that talk before. Epstein likes to collect assets and would rather pay someone most of their deal and get something back rather than pay them the whole thing when it is clear they aren't in the Cubs long-term plan.

[FedEx227]

To clarify, Volstad sucks but considering the Cubs had exactly zero leverage. To get anything of value for Big Z is incredible.

[Slateman]

Jesus Christ ... Big Z and Ozzie on the same team? I'll watch Marlins games just for that ...

[FirstTimer]

To clarify, Volstad sucks but considering the Cubs had exactly zero leverage. To get anything of value for Big Z is incredible.

Slide rules dorks are because Volstad's XFip VORDDOODLEDOO should have translated to better results or something

SIERA and xFIP standards, but of course all three luck metrics conspired against him to prevent his ERA from agreeing. Volstad primarily appears on this list because of the decline in SwStk5 he experienced last season. However, in 2009, he posted a 7.4% mark, so this year did not truly represent any real skill gains. Volstad showed some nice control growth and is a heavy ground ball pitcher, though his below average strikeout rate will limit his fantasy upside. However, one of these years he will either learn how to strand runners better or simply get luckier and he will generate a nice profit for NL-Only owners.

Whatever, we got rid of a headache and picked up a 26 year old hard throwing right handed groundbacll pitcher who is under team control for a few more seasons I believe and if it goes right we get his prime seasons. If not..well at least Big Z is gone.

[LiquidLarry2GhostWF]

Zambrano and Ozzie are supposedly friends...so, I wouldn't expect fireworks.

Volstad sucks...but so does Zambrano. Meh.