[bigboydan]

Glad to see Big Z got this well deserved extension. He would have never got it either if Barrett was still catching for the Cubs either, because that guy couldn't call one of Big Z games for shit.

Pitcher Carlos Zambrano signs 5-year contract extension with Chicago Cubs

CHICAGO (AP) -- The Chicago Cubs and Carlos Zambrano finally have a deal.

The ace right-hander agreed Friday to a five-year, $91.5 million contract extension to stay with the only team he's been with his entire career. The deal includes a vesting option for a sixth season.


Zambrano said he's not completely satisfied and won't be until he helps the Cubs make the World Series.

"I feel happy right now, feel comfortable right now but it's not enough," Zambrano said at news conference. "I have a mission to complete and I have a way to go with my teammates to lead this team. ... It's not enough when you retire and don't have the ring."

Zambrano (14-9) had hoped to have a new deal in place by opening day. He extended the deadline but contract talks stalled after Tribune Co., which owns the team, announced in April that it was selling itself for $8.2 billion to Chicago real estate mogul Sam Zell. The Cubs are expected to go on the auction block at the end of the season.

The 26-year-old Zambrano acknowledged the pending sale of the team had complicated negotiations but said last month he wanted to stay with the Cubs.

Zambrano, who signed a one-year, $12.4 million deal during spring training, could have been a free agent after the season. A two-time All-Star, he has a 78-51 career record.

The emotional Zambrano hasn't looked like the Cubs' ace in his previous three starts, failing each time to earn his 15th victory.

He left an outing against the New York Mets in the sixth inning with heat-related cramping and was driven out by Houston in his next start after giving up seven runs in 5 1-3 innings.

On Tuesday night, he allowed 13 hits and six runs in seven innings with two walks and no strikeouts against the Cincinnati Reds.

He's had an eventful season, getting into a fight with catcher Michael Barrett and breaking a bat over his knee. Against the Reds, he got so angry after grounding out, he slammed his helmet to the ground and it bounced all the way into right field.

His familiar antics on the mound include pumping his fist after getting an out. In one game, he did a complete spin in front of the mound.

[austintx05]

lot of money for a pitcher who only shows up for half a season

[stump]

way too much money for me

[Illusion]

In todays market this is gonna seem like a steal two years from now.

[bigboydan]

In todays market this is gonna seem like a steal two years from now.

Hard to believe that 18.5 million could be topped in a couple of years though, but if Clemens can get 28 million then I guess so.

[onlooker]

Big Z plays for the Cavs Dan.

I guess this is well deserved, but lets see next year if he shows up all season, with Barrett out of the mix.

[rjt721]

Johan Santana must be loving this. If guys like Zambrano and Barry Zito are getting 18+ mil/per, the sky's the limit for Santana when he's a free agent after next season.

[t2wentyfou4r]

I can see Johan Santana sign with the Yankees, or any big market team for 25mil a year, if Big Z is getting 18mil

[onlooker]

I hope not, well for Johan's sake anyway.

Just seems like when a good pitcher goes to the Yankees, they don't do so well.

[Illusion]

I can see Johan Santana sign with the Yankees, or any big market team for 25mil a year, if Big Z is getting 18mil

I personally think he would fold under the preasure in a major market, but who knows. With his command I could easily see some teams offering up to 24-28 per. The fact that he's a lefty who dominates should warrent that money without question.

[t2wentyfou4r]

He has to leave the Twins. He gave them a great deal with his last contract. The guy is in his prime, a lefty, and hasn't had a history of bad health 25+ mil is a gamble, but not for him. He is pitching like Greg Maddux during his prime. I would pay to watch him pit ch.