The return of Carlos Zambrano

[BigDDude]

Over the weekend there was a report from the Dominican Republic that the Phillies had signed Carlos Zambrano. General manager Ruben Amaro Jr. denied the report, calling it “ridiculously premature.”
And today the Phillies announced that they’ve signed Zambrano to a minor-league contract. So yeah, next time Amaro calls something “ridiculously premature” that’s just code for “will happen within a week.”
Obviously the Phillies can use rotation help with Roy Halladay out indefinitely and John Lannan also on the disabled list, but Zambrano is pretty close to the bottom of the barrel at this point. He’s still just 31 years old, but in addition to being, well, let’s call it a “strong personality” he also hasn’t been any good for several years.

Last season Zambrano had a 4.49 ERA and ugly 95/75 K/BB ratio in 132 innings for the Marlins, including a 6.60 ERA and more walks (46) than strikeouts (39) in his final 59 innings. And in 2011 he had a 4.82 ERA in 146 innings for the Cubs. Obviously the Phillies believe he at least has more upside than other fill-in options, but even that’s based a whole lot more on his past than his present and it’s been a while since the headaches didn’t outweigh the performance.

For now Zambrano will report to extended spring training.

 

[Nasty_Magician]

Seriously, what happened to this guy? He was in the mix as one of the best pitchers in baseball 5 years ago, was one of the most sought after guys there was, constantly involved in trade rumors.

 

[BigDDude]

Seriously, what happened to this guy? He was in the mix as one of the best pitchers in baseball 5 years ago, was one of the most sought after guys there was, constantly involved in trade rumors.

You mean, besides the fact that he is mentally unstable?

 

[Smart]

Zambrano was not mentally unstable. Anyone who actually cared about winning and spent time around the apathetic losers known as the 2011 Chicago Cubs would have lost it. He may be a little too emotional, but if you put him around a team that actually cares, he won't be a distraction at all.

 

[HammerDown]

Big Z's problem is that he's an asshole.

 

[HammerDown]

Zambrano was not mentally unstable. Anyone who actually cared about winning and spent time around the apathetic losers known as the 2011 Chicago Cubs would have lost it. He may be a little too emotional, but if you put him around a team that actually cares, he won't be a distraction at all.

I doubt anyone, including all but the Phillies, would agree with that.

 

[rmilia1]

I actually loved Zambrano. Guy had passion and fire. He hates losing and hates it with a passion. IF he can find his control again then he will be dominant, stuff has never been Big Z's isue. Control has haunted him.

 

[Smart]

I doubt anyone, including all but the Phillies, would agree with that.

You can say that, he but he really only had three total outbursts from 2002-2009 (an eight year period). And two of those weren't that atypical (hitting a player intentionally and beating the Gatorade container in the dugout).

 

[HammerDown]

I actually loved Zambrano. Guy had passion and fire. He hates losing and hates it with a passion. IF he can find his control again then he will be dominant, stuff has never been Big Z's isue. Control has haunted him.

Yeah, but that "passion and fire" was in the form of physical and verbal abuse against Gatorade jugs, bat racks, catcher, teammates, fans, management and/or whoever happened to be standing close to Asshole when things weren't going just right for him. Ask Michael Barrett if he liked Big Z's "passion". Or his teammates when he quit after things weren't perfect for him. The ultimate prima donna bitch.

 

[HammerDown]

You can say that, he but he really only had three total outbursts from 2002-2009 (an eight year period). And two of those weren't that atypical (hitting a player intentionally and beating the Gatorade container in the dugout).

Man, he fucking QUIT and packed his shit when starts didn't go his way. He's a fuckin NUTJOB and as big as he is, he's dangerous.

 

[HammerDown]

This just posted on Twitter.

[tweet]/334736138814255104[/tweet]

 

[BigDDude]

Yeah, but that "passion and fire"

LMAO

It's called fire and passion when you are doing well. When you are going down in flames, I think they call it bat shit crazy.

Just like a rich person with tons of stuff is usually excentric, whereas a poor person with lots of stuff ends up on Hoarders..........