Zambrano doesn't seem weighed down by talks
If Zambrano's crystal ball isn't completely cracked, that should be motivation enough for general manager Jim Hendry to get something done quickly.
Zambrano's agents arrived in town over the weekend, and low-level talks have resumed on what is expected to be a five-year deal worth between $75 million and $90 million. He's making $12.4 million this year.
After he pitched a deceptively strong 5 2/3 innings Sunday, Zambrano reiterated his Opening Day deadline for negotiating but said he was confident he will have a new deal within the 14 days before the opener.
''Yeah, we're close to that,'' he said, making what sounded like another bold declaration before backing off when asked to clarify. ''I always say that because I want to put in my mind positive things. I always say that I'm almost signed and we're going to be there.''
Cubs officials say talks haven't come close to reaching a substantive level. Agent Barry Praver was unreachable Sunday night.
Zambrano (1-1, 3.68 ERA) certainly seems unaffected by the potential of entering the season as a free-agent-to-be. He pitched well again Sunday and is taking on the look of a freight train rumbling toward his April 2 Opening Day start.
''I don't worry about that,'' he said. ''I have a good contract this year. I just have to see what happens. You just have to pitch your games and help your team. If I don't sign during spring training, we'll see what happens after the season when I become a free agent.''
MAKE OR BREAK: Kerry Wood, who has been held back because of a triceps strain, played catch for the second straight day, and barring a further setback, he's scheduled for a bullpen side session Tuesday.
If he fares well then, Wood would be scheduled to pitch in a game for the first time in more than a week either Thursday or Friday, manager Lou Piniella said.
''If not, time's running out on Woody, too,'' he said. ''We'll see.''
Wood has made only three Cactus League appearances. If he isn't ready for Opening Day, that could open a spot in the bullpen for impressive young right-hander Rocky Cherry (11 strikeouts, one run in seven innings).
ON TAP: Closer Ryan Dempster, who hasn't pitched since last Tuesday because of a knot in a muscle behind his pitching shoulder, said he expects to return to game action Tuesday against the Colorado Rockies in Tucson. ''I feel wonderful,'' he said.
SHORT HOPS: Once the Cubs get through today's split-squad games and Tuesday's trip to Tucson, Piniella said he plans to cut the roster by about 10 more players, getting it into the low 30s, then play his regular lineup heavily through the end of camp.
• • Piniella said he doesn't want to push Cliff Floyd (November heel surgery) too hard in the outfield yet and expects to send him to the minor-league side of camp this week to build up at-bats as a designated hitter. Floyd batted as the Cubs' DH on Sunday against the Los Angeles Angels (0-for-4) and is scheduled to start in left field today against Seattle.
• • Daryle Ward is another candidate for a crash course of at-bats in minor-league games after he gets done playing today against Milwaukee. ''He's not swinging the bat at all,'' Piniella said after Ward went 0-for-3 with a strikeout Sunday to drop to 3-for-27. ''He looks like he's feeling for the ball.''