truebluefan

MESA, Ariz. -- The Chicago Cubs today announced that the club and right-handed pitcher Carlos Zambrano agreed to a one-year deal for the 2007 season, thus avoiding arbitration.

Zambrano, 25, owns a 64-42 career record with a 3.29 ERA (357 ER/977.0 IP) in 167 games (146 starts). He has 865 strikeouts in 977.0 innings of work and has limited hitters to a .224 batting average, including a .217 mark against right-handed hitters.

Over the last two seasons, Zambrano's 412 strikeouts rank second among NL hurlers (Jake Peavy, 431) while his .210 batting average against ranks third (Roger Clemens, .205 and Pedro Martinez, .210).

Zambrano, who was signed by the Cubs as a non-drafted free agent July 12, 1997, was the ace of the Cubs staff in 2006 and set a career high with 210 strikeouts. His 33 starts and 16 victories tied career marks. He was named to the National League All-Star Team for the second time in his career (also 2004), but did not pitch in the contest.

He set another career high last season with a nine-game winning streak from June 5-July 30, becoming just the third Cubs pitcher to win at least eight straight decisions since the start of the 1985 season (also Greg Maddux in 1988 and Jaime Navarro in 1996).

bigboy10182000

Very good deal for both sides but they will need to get something done longer to keep him there. He is the 1 they been looking for and what was supposed to be Wood and Prior...

BUZZMAN2333

They better get something long term done with him soon. He has been the rock of the lineup. If they lose him, they will be in big trouble. With the improved lineup the Cubs are fielding, Zam should have at least 3 or 4 more wins this year.

AlfonsoSoriano

It was a great deal.
We get to keep Z for another year and Z gets the money he wants and deserves.

BUZZMAN2333

I think this was just a deal to shut him up for a little bit while they work on the long term deal.

I believe he really wants a long term deal but they are not where they want to be right now in negotiations.

He is very important to lock up for the Cubbies. He has been the only durable quality pitcher you have had for a couple of years!