Both Chicago baseball teams are having exceptionally disappointing seasons. There have been distractions on both sides of town. On the North Side you have Carlos Zambrano and his odd and sometimes unexplainable behavior. On the South Side you have the large and undeserving contract of Adam Dunn.
As for the Cubs, I was not expecting much this season so I don't think Zambrano has cost them a shot at a division title by being a distraction. However, they need to quit giving him chances and cut bait before the start of the 2012 season. Don't get me wrong because I like Big Z. I suppose as a Sox fan I like the drama he causes, but I do like his competitiveness. The guy wants to win. I've always thought he just has a hard time using his fire to his advantage. If I knew for sure White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen could help him mentally I'd want him on the Sox.
Now when the Cubs do trade Zambrano they are going to have to take a bad contract in return and still have to cover some of the $22+ million owed to Zambrano next year in the final year of his contract. It's not a deal that will help the Cubs financially or with their roster, but not having to be fearful for the next Big Z blowup may help them relax and play a little better.
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On the South Side Adam Dunn might cost Kenny Williams his job as General Manager. That signing was all Kenny. It is well known that Sox Chairman Jerrry Reinsdorf wanted Paul Konerko back over anyone. After Williams signed Dunn, there was doubt about Konerko's return. Fortunately, Reinsdorf did allow the payroll to expand enough to bring back Konerko. Had it been a situation where Dunn was chosen over Konerko this season could have been UGLY!
I was against signing Dunn before this season for one simple fact. The guy has never played a full season for a team that finished with a winning record. I'm not saying he's a loser, but suggesting that he plays better without the pressure of having to win. In 2008, he was traded to the Arizona Diamondbacks who were in the chase for a playoff spot. He went from a home run every 11.65 at bats with Cincinnati to a home run every 18 at bats with Arizona. His numbers dropped when expectations were raised. The expectations on the South Side for 2011 were division title or bust.
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Now how do you move Dunn and the 3 years left on his contract? That's not going to be easy. My suggestion would be to push him to a team who has no chance to win their division, and sell them on a guy who will produce with no pressure to win. My target would be the Baltimore Orioles. That is a team that has no shot to win the AL East. The Sox will have to throw in lots of cash to pay a good chunk of Dunn's contract, but it would be worth it in my opinion.
Any chance Zambrano and Dunn are traded for each other? I say doubtful, but you never know. Let me know what you think.
