Trade Speculation Is Fun: Carlos Zambrano for Ichiro

Some things in baseball are more fun than others. Not fun: a long, scientific and sociocultural discussion about steroids' lasting effects on the game of baseball. Not fun: Craig Biggio. Not fun: Joe Morgan broadcasts.

Fun: unfounded trade speculation!

The Chicago Tribune's Phil Rogers weighed in on the Carlos Zambrano contract situation a couple of days ago, and says if the Cubs can't reach a deal with Zambrano eventually, Cubs GM Jim Hendry could consider a trade:

Hendry would need an iron fortitude to deal Zambrano, no doubt about that. But there are ways that could work out.

The Cubs could be as good with Zambrano as without him. It sounds crazy, but for as well as Clemens pitched a year ago, the Astros were only 10-9 in his starts. And the Philadelphia Phillies mysteriously started winning after trading their best hitter, Bobby Abreu. It's baseball, and silly stuff happens.

The most likely way a Zambrano trade could work is the return on the trade itself. These types of deals generally benefit the seller, and a smart organization can use a bargaining chip like Zambrano to add strength.

Rogers later mentions Ichiro, among others, as a player that might serve as a viable trading piece for both teams. The one obstacle is probably Seattle's newfound desire to steady their payroll after it jumped over $100 million for the first time ever this offseason.

Lost in the Ivy over at Sweet Home Sports, has an interesting analysis:

If the Cubs did swing this trade, their lineup would look like this:
1: Ichiro Suzuki
2: Mark DeRosa
3: Alfonso Soriano
4: Aramis Ramirez
5: Derrek Lee
6: Michael Barrett
7: Matt Murton
8: Cesar Izturis

As a Cubs fan, let me tell you, that lineup does indeed make me feel all tingly. And that, my friends, is why trade speculation, even without merit, is fun: it's like real-life fantasy baseball. (I hear the Cubs are also going to organize a three way trade for Johan Santana, Albert Pujols, and A-Rod. More on this breaking report later.)