Zambrano springs eternal
After sharp debut, emotional optimist thinks World Series
''And besides that,'' he said, ''we will win the World Series, I guarantee you that.''
Talk about optimism and things that spring eternal.
When pressed, Zambrano backed off some.
''I'm almost sure about that,'' he said.
Either way, he said he's optimistic he'll have more chances for the historic double play after this season if he unexpectedly falls short in 2007.
Zambrano said he expects talks between his agents and general manager Jim Hendry about a possible multiyear contract extension to resume today by phone. The right-hander avoided salary arbitration 10 days ago when he agreed to a $12.4 million deal for this year.
The Cubs say nothing formal has been scheduled, and Zambrano's agent, Barry Praver, said Friday night, ''I don't comment on ongoing negotiations.''
The sides still have four weeks to get something done before the Cubs' April 2 opener in Cincinnati, the deadline set by Zambrano for completing negotiations. Otherwise, he said he won't talk again about an extension until he becomes a free agent at the end of the season.
Groundwork for discussions already has been laid, with general parameters including a club-imposed cap of five years for the length of the contract. The dollar range is believed to be somewhere between the $14.6million per year that Houston ace Roy Oswalt got for five years last August and the $18 million per year that free agent Barry Zito got from San Francisco in December.
If Zambrano's performance against the Los Angeles Angels' regulars Friday was any indication of things to come, he might be onto something with that almost-guarantee.
''I'm excited for this season because compared to last year, I'm way ahead for being ready for Opening Day,'' he said after retiring the first five batters he faced -- three with strikeouts -- and allowing just one flare single in two innings. He struck out four in all.
Zambrano's winless April last year (5.35 ERA), which was caused at least in part by a spring turned upside down by the World Baseball Classic, is part of his motivation to be ready sooner this year. That led to extra work and preparation over the winter and an intense focus this spring, he said.
''I think if they let me go nine today, I could go nine today,'' he said. ''I was ready for them. I'm telling you right now, I'm ready to go seven, eight, nine innings. I'm ready. I worked hard in the offseason to get to this point, and hopefully I can stay in this position for the season.''
That would be a big first step toward that Cubs-World Series thing.
Manager Lou Piniella seemed to enjoy Zambrano's bold comments as much as his bold start to his spring on the mound.
''Let me tell you this, he's a pleasure for me,'' Piniella said, after laughing at the almost-guarantee. ''He's a character. I really enjoy this guy.''
The feeling seems mutual between the two, who appear to respect each other's fiery personalities, even if it might mean an occasional, intense ''conversation.''
''We kind of match up with each other,'' Zambrano said. ''At some point in the season, sometime we might have some arguing or something like that. If there's something that he don't like from me, I know he will tell me something hard. I will prepare for that. ... But that's good. I like to have [people like that] on my team. But I'm not going to fight with him. I guarantee you that.''
Asked before the game about having an emotional pitcher like Zambrano on his team, Piniella said, ''You've got an emotional manager, for God's sake. Sure, I like an emotional pitcher. I like some emotional players on my team. Why not? I mean, you can't have 25 Stepford Wives.''
And if that means they get into it at some point?
''Well, it's all right. He can get into it,'' Piniella said. ''As long as he wins 18-20 ballgames and pitches his 220 innings, that's fine with me.''