Rumor has it that the Cubs and Marlins are in discussions for a trade that would send beleaguered pitcher Carlos Zambrano to the Marlins. We all know about the trials and 
tribulations of the Z-Unit and how he was placed on the disqualified last August after giving up 5 homers to the Braves and walking out on the team. Also, the Cubbies still owe Carlos $18 million for next season, the last year on a disastrous contract. If new Cubs President Theo Epstien can dump Zambrano, it will be the best decision of his short tenure. But why do the Marlins want him? Let’s take a look:
Zambrano has the potential to give the Miami Marlins a very potent starting rotation. Big Z can still be an effective pitcher (it’s just that he’s not worth the effort) and would be a welcome addition to newly signed Mark Buehrle, Josh Johnson (a potential Cy Young guy whose coming off a big injury), Anibal Sanchez and Ricky Nolasco. Those 5 would be pretty impressive and would be pretty good (but not quite as good) going toe to toe with the Nationals, Phillies, and Braves in the division.
The risk is Zambrano’s off the field stuff. He is known to be close friends with new Miami manager Ozzie Guillen, but Guillen is a hot head and definitely not a good guy to keep tabs on the volatile Z. Maybe, however, Guillen would keep Carlos happy. It’s definitely worth a shot. If I’m the Marlins and I could get the Cubs to pay a very significant portion of the salary, I would take a flier on Zambrano. I would tell him from the outset that one tiny tiny tiny little outburst would immediately result in his release and then throw him into the rotation and see how he does.
If after all the money the Marlins spent this winter they still feel like they’re a starting pitcher short, Zambrano could be a good solution. For the Cubs, they need to distance themselves from him however possible. Overall, I like this deal, if only for the potential fun of watching Ozzie and Carlos share a dugout.
-Max Frankel
