Great news on the Big Z deal.....

[ryno4ever]

Looks like it is almost done!!!!!

Zambrano's deal appears nearly sealed
Hendry optimistic he'll beat deadline

By Paul Sullivan
Tribune staff reporter

March 30, 2007, 11:01 PM CDT

LAS VEGAS -- Negotiations over Carlos Zambrano's contract extension heated up Friday with a face-to-face meeting between general manager Jim Hendry and the pitcher's agent, Barry Praver.

The two sides now appear close to consummating a deal by Zambrano's Opening Day deadline.


"We had a nice conversation, and everything's positive and on the upbeat," Hendry said. "Hopefully we'll be able to come together."

The parameters of the deal have been discussed, with both sides agreeing to five years. How far apart they are on the total package is unknown, though the Cubs' offer is expected to be under Barry Zito's $18 million-per-season range.

Hendry's close relationship with Zambrano may be the key to getting the deal getting done. Zambrano apparently is willing to play for less money for the Cubs than he would receive on the open market, and his compromise during last month's arbitration proceedings proved the two sides aren't far apart.

"We went a little further down the line at the arbitration than we normally would have," Hendry said. "But I think a lot of good came out of that too. At the end of the day, there wasn't going to be any bad-mouthing in the courtroom, and he reiterated again how badly he wanted to be here."

Hendry re-signed Aramis Ramirez on Opening Day of the '05 season and gave Derrek Lee his $65 million extension at the start of last season. The Cubs are used to 11th-hour deals.

"It's getting harder and harder the last couple of years to get long multi-year deals because the pitching market has gone really high in free agency," Hendry said.

"Then there's the balance of what's a good, fair five-plus years for both sides. At what price is it a good move for Carlos not to explore free agency, and what's good for the club to keep him as long as we can."

[Ivy Killa]

Outstanding news.....the next few days are going to be nerve wracking with the Zambrano deadline/extra innings deadline and opening day approaching.

[BigZ38]

This better happen. I can't think of what I would do if they didn't resign him. He is the TOP pitcher in the NL.

[scuba]

Great news. I can't wait for that announcement! :D :D

[ryno4ever]

Another update from the suntimes

Optimism on the Big Z front
Hendry engages in 'ongoing dialogue' with Zambrano's agent

March 31, 2007
BY CHRIS DE LUCA Staff Reporter
LAS VEGAS -- What price do you put on a proven rotation ace who probably hasn't had his best seasons yet? This is the question Cubs general manager Jim Hendry is wrestling with as he faces a Monday deadline.

Hendry can pay 25-year-old Carlos Zambrano now or likely spend the same amount of money -- or more -- on the free-agent market next winter. With former co-aces Kerry Wood a wounded reliever and Mark Prior an afterthought, the Cubs have no other in-house candidates to be their No. 1 starter.

Not Ted Lilly nor Jason Marquis nor Wade Miller nor even up-and-comer Rich Hill. They have Zambrano and a bunch of middle-of-the-rotation guys.

This has become a spring-training ritual for Hendry. The final weekend of camp arrives and there always seems to be one piece of unfinished business -- signing one of his marquee players to a rich, long-term contract.

In 2004, it was Wood, 2005 it was Aramis Ramirez, last season Derrek Lee and now, it's Zambrano's turn.

Hendry met with Zambrano's agent, Barry Praver, on Friday in Las Vegas, with another meeting set for today. Sources say Praver is expected to be in Cincinnati on Sunday, when talks could come to a head.

From the way the sides were talking, progress certainly has been made on a five-year deal to keep the All-Star right-hander.

''I saw Barry today,'' Hendry said before the Cubs faced the Seattle Mariners at Cashman Field in their first night game of spring training. ''We had a nice conversation and everything is positive, on the upbeat, and hopefully we'll be able to come together.''

Five-year package discussed
Praver and Hendry -- two long-time pals -- sat together for a bit during the middle innings of the game Friday night.

''We have an ongoing dialogue,'' Praver told the Sun-Times.

Sources say the sides discussed the parameters of a five-year deal that would expire after the 2011 season, allowing Zambrano to become a free agent at 30.

The five-year package likely will call for a salary in the $80 million to $85 million range.

This is a well-traveled road for Hendry, who usually gets his man.

''We've done three or four of them, and you know how it is when you have arbitration years, especially, you get through that [first],'' Hendry said.

''It's gotten harder and harder the last couple of years on multiyear deals because the market has kind of changed. The market has gone really high in the pitching market for free agency. And there is the balance of what's a good, fair, five-plus-year [deal] for both sides. At what price is it a good move for Carlos not to explore free agency and what's good for the club, obviously, to keep him as long as you can?''

What works in the Cubs' favor -- despite erroneous reports early in camp that Zambrano was ready to bolt Chicago -- is that he doesn't want to wear another team's uniform.

''I've known him 10 years now,'' Hendry said. ''He has never expressed to me that he didn't want to be anywhere but here. We've never expressed anything different to him. If we didn't want him here way before he got real good, we would have traded him a long time ago.

''We've thought the day was coming that he would be one of the better guys in the game.''

Things had the potential to get dicey last month, when Zambrano was facing an arbitration hearing to decide his 2007 salary. Because of a delay in the previous hearing between the San Diego Padres and second baseman Todd Walker, Hendry and Praver were able to work out a one-year deal worth $12.4 million, which will be part of any five-year package, sources confirmed.

''We went a little farther down the line that day at the arbitration than we normally probably would have, but I think a lot of good came out of that, too,'' Hendry said. ''At the end of the day, there wasn't going to be any bad-mouthing him in the courtroom. And at the end of the day, he reiterated how bad he wanted to be here.''

'He is a big horse'
The feeling clearly is mutual.

Hendry was asked if we have seen the best from Zambrano, who matched a career high with 16 victories last season.

''No, I think he is going to get better. I really do,'' Hendry said. ''He's at that point in his career where he is very healthy, he is a big horse. Every year, if you have the right desire, which he does, you learn more, you get better, you start knowing the hitters in the league better, you start realizing what your strengths are.

''It's not just a maturing process as a normal mid-20s guy; it's also a maturing process of learning the game. I'm sure the best guys in the game will probably tell you that they probably pitched smarter and better the longer they played -- a la Greg [Maddux], Roger [Clemens], whoever.''

[diehardnorthsider]

I can't wait!!!! This will be the crowning jewell in a spectacular off season!!!

[BigZ38]

No one will be asking whether this was a questionable signing. He is provin and only one person like this comes along every great while.

[CubsFan23]

What a way that would be to start off a season to remember.

[NeifiPerezMVP2007]

No one will be asking whether this was a questionable signing. He is provin and only one person like this comes along every great while.

He is a special pitcher, we need him locked up really bad.