Zambrano, Cubs avoid arbitration - $6.5m/yr

[RBi]

The arbitration hearing scheduled for Feb. 18 has now been canceled.

Carlos Zambrano and the Cubs have come to terms on a one year $6.5 million contract early this morning.



Zambrano had filed for $7.2 million, while the Cubs offered $6 million.

The Cubs have now avoided arbitration with every player eligible this off season.

[ndistops]

Nice job by Jim of once again not letting anything get to the hearing. Now it's time to lock him up long-term!

[Bob Sacamento]

Nice job by Jim of once again not letting anything get to the hearing. Now it's time to lock him up long-term!

I don't think Zambrano is going to want to be locked up long term at least not yet. Carlos still has another year of arbitration before he's eligible for free agency, if he posts another season like he did in 03, 04, 05 then he's looking at close to 10 million through arbitration next season. It would be then that he'd command a humongous contract, probably something close to 55-60 million/5 years. If Zman signed now, he's probably looking at ~25 million/3 years.