Zambrano is owed $18 million from the Cubs, while 2012 marks the final year of his contract. Zambrano also has a no-trade clause, but he will apparently be waiving that in hopes of pitching in a more welcoming environment, such as Miami. The Marlins have been spending freely this offseason and have also added former White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen, who had gone on record, in the past, as saying he wouldn’t mind having Zambrano on his team.
During a radio interview this week, Cubs president Theo Epstein indicated that Zambrano would have to fit into the Cubs’ new culture, or change would occur. It’s apparent that the Cubs are forcing that change with a potential Zambrano suitor in Miami calling on Zambrano.
The Cubs will most likely have to pay for most of Zambrano’s salary in 2012, but may get some promising young players or a solid veteran in exchange for Zambrano.
After the Cubs’ offseason front office moves which brought Epstein and new general manager Jed Hoyer to Chicago, the Cubs have been trying to unload players with expiring contracts, loading up on prospects, and signing capable veteran players in order to field a competitive team while the organization rebuilds.
It’s no surprise that Zambrano may be leaving the Cubs. His latest clubhouse controversy in August forced the Cubs to suspend him after he threw twice at Chipper Jones of the Braves, was ejected, and then threatened retirement after leaving the Cubs clubhouse. What is a surprise is that another team is willing to take on the troubled pitcher. Zambrano has had a number of public blowups and behind-the-scenes battles with teammates during his Cubs career.
Update (7:00 pm 1/4/2012): Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun Times told WSCR Chicago, a local sports radio station, that the deal is done, and that the Cubs have traded Zambrano to the Miami Marlins for pitcher Chris Volstad. The Cubs are reportedly picking up as much as $16 million of Zambrano’s contract in exchange for Volstad. Neither the Cubs nor the Marlins have made any official announcements as of Wednesday night.
-James Kries