Carlos Zambrano followed Jim Hendry’s spending spree closely from his Venezuelan home this off-season, knowing his turn to cash in was just around the corner.
Though the Cubs have yet to begin negotiations on a long-term deal for the impending free agent, they got a good idea of what they’re in for Tuesday when Zambrano filed for a club-record $15.5 million in arbitration. The Cubs countered with an offer of $11.025 million, meaning Zambrano probably will do no worse than a $13 million salary for ’07 if the two sides settle before his hearing.
Ultimately, Zambrano is expected to seek a six-year deal for somewhere around $100 million to $110 million when contract talks begin next month.
“Carlos always has stated he wants to stay here,” Hendry said. “In the near future we’ll be working to get a multiyear contract done.”
Zambrano’s agent, Barry Praver, declined to comment.
Arbitration hearings are from Feb. 1 to 20. The Cubs have not gone to a hearing with a player since 1993, preferring to settle near the midpoint of the two figures filed, though the $4.5 million gap between them and Zambrano may be difficult to bridge. Hendry says it won’t go to a hearing, but made no promises.
“We always take the optimistic side,” Hendry said. “We just try to be fair and hope things get settled.”
Zambrano, who made $6.5 million in ’06–the highest ever for a starter in his second year of arbitration eligibility–was one of three Cubs who filed, along with Mark Prior and Will Ohman.
Prior asked for $3.875 million in arbitration, a slight raise from his $3.65 million salary in ’06, despite going 1-6 with a 7.71 earned-run average in only nine starts. The Cubs were allowed to offer up to a 20 percent cut from his ’06 salary, but instead wound up offering him $3.4 million.
Ohman avoided arbitration, agreeing to a two-year deal worth $2.5 million, giving the Cubs three lefties in the bullpen, along with Scott Eyre and Neal Cotts.
Ohman’s deal means the Cubs have 12 players under contract through at least 2008, hiking the ’08 payroll to above $80 million with just those dozen players. This year’s payroll will be above $100 million, assuming Zambrano settles at around $13 million.
