Listed below are points and counterpoints debating whether the Cubs demoting Carlos Zambrano is a good idea.
Point: Yes, all you have to do is watch him pitch and realize that you can't give Carlos 200 innings pitched this year.
Counterpoint: No, Zambrano is making a cool $17.875 million and should be starting.
P: Lou Piniella is on record saying that this isn't a "panic move," but it seems to be permanent.
CP: Yes, I don't understand it and don't believe it either.
P: What is not to understand? He has not pitched well this season.
CP: Yes, but this is a guy with a proven track record of putting up 200-plus innings of quality pitching.
P: The Cubs can't keep giving him the ball when he doesn't deserve it.
CP: Zambrano is third in the league with 26 strikeouts. He is still a good pitcher.
P: His ERA is 7.45, though. The Cubs simply can't give this guy 200-plus innings again.
CP: The thing about Zambrano is he is very durable. Aside from last season, he has thrown 200 innings every year since 2003.
P: There is no arguing that he takes the hill every time. He has been very durable.
CP: That is Zambrano's greatest asset.
P: There comes a time when it has to end, though. Are you suggesting that he is still an elite pitcher?
CP: He is certainly not an elite pitcher anymore. However, he is one of the top five starters for Chicago.
P: With Lilly coming back, that is just not true.
CP: He is better than Carlos Silva.
P: Are you nuts? That dude currently has a minuscule ERA.
CP: Yeah, but his velocity is down and we are only talking about three starts. Check out his Mariner stats for the last couple years. You will see he is horrible.
P: Admittedly, they are bad. I think he has turned the corner, though.
CP: Good luck with that.
P: At the very least, we can say that he is pitching much better than Zambrano.
CP: True, for now. The league will catch up with him though.
P: He will pitch well all season.
CP: If you say so. You don't think that Zambrano is better than Tom Gorzelanny and Randy Wells?
P: For now, no, he is not.
CP: Zsmbrano's stats suggest that he is simply unlucky.
P: Whatever, stat geek...he has walked 10 batters in 19 innings. That isn't good.
CP: That is about how many walks he normally has.
P: You can't tell me his current production is better than the other Cubs' starters though.
CP: Those guys are soon going to wake up and realize their career norms and pitch like it.
P: Maybe but for now they are better.
CP: This sounds like Lou Piniella is making a statement with this move.
P: What kind of statement would that be?
CP: I am pretty sure that Piniella has never liked Zambrano's attitude.
P: Maybe, but it has to be hard for Sweet Lou to demote one of his pitchers with a 0.69 ERA.
CP: I can imagine that is true.
P: Actually, it would be equally difficult to demote a pitcher with a 1.93 ERA.
CP: Fair enough. The other starters are off to a better start. In then end, I will be shocked if Zambrano is not back in the rotation by the end of May.
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