Theo Epstein feels Carlos Zambrano violated team’s trust – MLB News
With the departure of Carlos Zambrano to the Miami Marlins, the mercurial pitcher was reportedly having more critics than admirers within the former team. This was something that the club’s president of baseball operations discovered when he held extensive
deliberations over the fate of the player with the executives.
As it turned out, none of the executive members seemed to have a favourable opinion for the player. Similarly, the expectations that he would take certain steps to ward off the skepticism of the club members will not materialise either, resulting in the
trade with the Miami Marlins in the end.
This was something to which Theo Epstein alluded to. If nothing else, the (in)famous incident where the pitcher announced his retirement after having given up five homers against the Atlanta Braves was something that nobody could believe. That single act
dealt a serious blow to the player and his reputation.
"Every player who I talked to articulated to me that Carlos had violated their trust," Epstein said. "When you're talking about physical altercations with teammates repeatedly, when you're talking about physically walking out on the team, it's very hard
to have that player come back into the clubhouse and be trusted.”
Theo Epstein said trust and accountability was important for a good team-mate, obviously referring to the pitcher.
"I think, to be a good teammate, there has to be a certain degree of trust and accountability. Do I believe in second chances? Yes. Do I believe in third chances? Yes, in some cases -- even fourth chances.”
Epstein believes in being realistic when dealing with issues like this. Although Zambrano, might not have won his chance with the Chicago Cubs this time, he has a good opportunity to dispel the impression about himself of being highly unpredictable.
Zambrano had become part of the Cubs when he was merely 16. Now that he no longer has the affiliation with the team, Miami Marlins will offer him everything that he as a player should have to rebuild his career. With the new atmosphere and new acquaintances,
it will now hinge upon the player alone how he manages things for the longevity of his career.
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