Cubs’ Carlos Zambrano Will Be Paid When Suspension Ends, But Not Pitch Again In 2011

It could be said that you don’t walk out on your family, just as you shouldn’t walk out on your teammates. Zambrano claimed the two pitches that got him ejected were “cutters”. Still, Zambrano’s behavior cannot be seen in a vacuum — he has had several meltdowns over the past four years, including one in 2010 that put him on the restricted list and got him anger-management counseling.

Cubs management appears fed up to the point that Zambrano is not wanted any more; perhaps the best-case scenario for both parties would be a negotiated settlement of the year-plus remaining on his deal for an amount more than zero, but less than the (approximately) $20 million remaining due him; he’d then be allowed to leave as a free agent.

During his time off, Zambrano underwent anger-management training ... and it actually seemed to work, as Zambrano returned to the roster in late July and went 8-0 with a 1.58 ERA the rest of the way.

Confused? So are the Cubs. That’s why they’re talking with Zambrano’s agent, trying to figure out what’s going on. Paul Sullivan:

Zambrano hasn’t filled out and submitted any retirement papers, which is the official process. There’s no word right now on any other details, but the presumption is that, if the situation isn’t cleared up shortly, the Cubs will place Zambrano on the restricted list for the second time in two seasons. Last year he went on the restricted list while undergoing anger management.

The heat he threw and the energy he showed on the mound screamed out to me, “future closer”.

For that, he got placed on the restricted list (with pay) and anger-management classes. When he returned in August 2010, he was lights-out, going 8-0 over 11 starts with a 1.41 ERA. Hopes were high for him to keep that going in 2011.