With Yanks In Chicago, Zambrano Rumors Gain Steam

From Bruce Levine via MLB Trade Rumors:

...Yankees scouts watched [Zambrano] pitch on the Cubs' recent 10-game road trip. These were not advance scouts who prepare teams for the next series, because the Yankees do video work on the next opponent instead of using scouts. These were top advisers to Yankees general manager Brian Cashman.

Zambrano, who has a full no-trade clause, has said on numerous occasions he wants to stay with the Cubs until his deal expires after 2012. But Zambrano, like any veteran, wants the opportunity to perform in a World Series before his career is over. If the Yankees, who are in need of starting pitching, decide to approach the Cubs about Zambrano's availability, the veteran pitcher could change his mind. Losing is not fun for any player, but for a 10-year veteran like Zambrano, this might be his last shot at playing in a World Series.
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Zambrano's experience with Yankees pitching coach Larry Rothschild would also be considered an advantage for both sides. Rothschild was Zambrano's pitching coach for the first nine years of his career before taking the Yankees job in the offseason. Rothschild has seen the best and worst of Zambrano, whose domination on the mound has been mixed with frequent emotional tantrums.

Some of the Yankees top evaluators have more interest in Ryan Dempster than Zambrano, but the Cubs would not be interested in dealing Dempster. Zambrano may be another story, considering his volatility and inconsistency over the last 2 ½ years. Dempster is considered more consistent by some scouts, but Zambrano has pitched more innings this season. What the Yankees and other teams like about Dempster is he's averaged over 200 innings over the last three years.

The Cubs could get back some good, young talent and also divest themselves of all or some of the $27 million left on Zambrano's contract.

Between the awful contracts, bat attitude (Zambrano) and mediocre performances this year I'm not really interesting in bringing either of these two over. Are you?