Zambrano, Prior Exchanged Figures....Ohman Extended

Updated - 7:57pm C.T. with Info on Mark Prior - Asking for $3.875 million for 2007

According to a report from the AP on Yahoo Sports.com and on XM Radio, Carlos Zambrano asked for $15.5 million for the 2007 season and the Cubs offered $11.025 million. Zambrano will become a free-agent after the 2007 season and made $6.5 million in 2006.

On Tuesday, the Cubs extended the contract of Will Ohman and avoided arbitration with the left hander. The Cubs agreed to a 2-year, $2.5 million dollar contract with Ohman according to a report on Yahoo Sports. Here are the details of the deal:

"Ohman will get $900,000 next season and $1.6 million in 2008. He would earn a $100,000 bonus for appearing in 75 games next season and 70 the following year, and he would get $200,000 for making 80 appearances in 2008.
Ohman would earn $25,000 each year for finishing 15 games, $50,000 for finishing 20 and 25, $100,000 for finishing 30 and $150,000 for finishing 35."

Will update if more information becomes available....

Update - 7:57pm C.T. - According to a report on Cubs.com, Mark Prior did ask for a raise on Tuesday. Prior made $3.65 million for 9 starts in 2006 and is asking for $3.875 million for 2007....the Cubs offered $3.4 million. This one could get ugly....

Jim

I totally agree Big Z

big Z

Big Z is bette than zito, so 15 mill. is a steal for the second best pitcher in the leage mabe the best.

Baron

Z is the only pitcher worth 2 pennies on the Cubs roster. When they win a few more games (65-70) in 2007 and lose Zambrano -- the organization and its dolt fans will have Lilly, Marquis and Hill to front its rotation...

Good Luck.

Gary J. from WA

That Buck Martinez comment is the reason that I'm glad the Cubs opened up the wallet this off season because he's absolutely right. Z would be served better to be on a contender and if the Cubbies had just sat on their hands again this off season, I wouldn't have been surprised if Big Z moved on. I don't think I'd be giving the front office too much credit if I said that a good part of the spending this offseason might have been aimed at not losing Zambrano next offseason

Baron

If the cubs lose Big Z --- they will pay for another 100 years.

if you can pay douche bags like Marquis 6 million. surely you can pay Zambrano 2.5 times as much.

Its idiotic that they are trying to bargain now. Hill billy idiots.

Jim

If Z wants 15 give him 17 a year for 5 years. Prior wants a raise!!!!???!??! Are you f#$&ing kidding me. Where does this guy get off. Hasn't played more than a month in 2 years and wants a raise. He should eb lucky to have a spot on the team. He wants a raise he should do what everone else does and work for it.

Austin

I don't really care how much it costs, give him a deal he can't refuse, something in the area of 18-19 milion/yr over 4-6 years (72 min to 114 max)...not too bad...You could load it with incentives like IP and Cy Young votes, etc to make it even more.

Larry

On XM this morning, Buck Martinez stated that if he were Zambrano, he would wait and hit the free agent market. He said that with the Cubs recent track record (They haven't won a title in nearly 100 years) he would be better served getting his money from a team that is consistantly in the playoff race. Although I can certainly understand his thinking, I would hate to see Hendry let him get away. All of his work this off-season will be for naught, if they can't resign Big Z. If he can't sign him, then he needs to look at trading him and getting two or three arms in return.