Carlos Zambrano is in no hurry to part ways with the Cubs, and by the pitcher's account the feeling is mutual. Zambrano told Carlos Alberto Zambrano at the Venezuelan newspaper Lider en Deportes (link in Spanish) that he received a "friendly" call from new team president Theo Epstein on Tuesday, the first contact between the two. According to Zambrano, the conversation started with introductions and ended with Epstein promising to call him at a later date to set up a personal meeting stateside.
"We talked for a while. Now I'm waiting for him to tell me when we'll meet," Zambrano said. "It might be after the winter meetings that the GMs have, which is in Milwaukee this year."
Zambrano had a rough start to his winter league sojourn last week, lasting only 2 2/3 innings for the reigning league champion Anzoátegui Caribes. And while the 30-year-old sounded eager to build a positive relationship with the new Cubs brass, he is not planning to step away from his duties in Venezuela to do so.
"When I go to talk to the GM it will be a short trip. For example, supposing that I pitch on a Saturday, I'd leave that same night. We'd talk Sunday or Monday, and by Tuesday, I'd be on my way back to Venezuela. I'm not going for a week or even five days. It'll be quick-to meet each other. Talk in person. That's very important. I'd like to build a relationship from scratch with the new GM. Erase everything and start over."
The Marlins and Royals have been connected to Zambrano so far this offseason, but Royals GM Dayton Moore insisted on Monday that the team's interest was mostly theoretical.
I thought the Winter Meetings were in Dallas…
I don’t think there isn’t a player that the Marlins aren’t connected to…
Triple negative. Very impressive.
That has to be some kind of record. 🙂
I heard cubs bought him a one way ticket to Venezuela    …..  i know very bad welcoming abuseÂ
I wonder if there’s any chance of Zambrano getting kidnapped.
i dont know he is tough , angry , ornery , Â M Â Fer, but that is kinda what i was insinuatingÂ
Too soon dude.Â
Zambrano is 30.
Looking for a solid year from Big Z, if he was just able to harness his stuff and temper he would be able to truly be something. Did anyone else acknowledge that 2011 was the first year Big Z ever posted an ERA over 4.00?
i wish we could trade him fro michael young then our problem at 3rd would be solve and the cancer would go too
I can’t see a single reason Texas would make that trade…
This is a good move by Theo to try and head off a possible problem. I figure he’ll ask Z what he wants to do and get some kind of commitment. Whether he wants stay in Chicago or go somewhere else. Whether he’s willing to alter his contract to make a trade possible if he wants to leave.(unlikely) Most likely tell him that the Cubs want him and need him. But most importantly, Theo will let him know that if he blows up again, he’s gone!
Epstein is playing with house money for now. He and Hoyer can do want ever they feel is right for the team this year. Since the Cubs are not expected to do anything spectacular this year, they can do no wrong.If Zambrano goes nuts again Theo will cut him or trade for whatever and not come out on the losing end. Zambrano on the other hand can hurt his future, even if he collects his $18MM. He becomes toxic and will kill his future earnings potential and limit the clubs that would be interested.
Anyone else find it funny that the reporter’s name, who Zambrano talked to, was Carlos Zambrano??