Carlos Zambrano followed Cubs general manager 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 on 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-$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 filing figure was the highest of any arbitration-eligible player this winter.
“I don’t think either camp was surprised by the other’s filing number,” Zambrano’s agent, Barry Praver, said.
Arbitration hearings are from Feb. 1-20. 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.
“We always take the optimistic side,” Hendry said, “and hope things get settled.”
Zambrano, who made $6.5 million in ’06–the highest 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, a slight raise from his $3.65 million salary in ’06, despite going 1-6 with a 7.71 earned-run average in 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.
If he pitches as well as he did in the final three months, Ohman could be seen as a bargain.
“It gives Will some security, and he has proven two years in a row he’s healthy, so it’s not a risk,” Hendry said. “He gave us a heck of an effort last year.”
A left-handed workhorse, Ohman limited opposing hitters to a .208 average in ’06, third best among National League relievers. He will receive $900,000 in ’07 and $1.6 million in ’08, with incentives that can add another $450,000 to the total.
Ohman’s numbers
Will Ohman in 2006 and his career:
%%
CATEGORY 2006 CAREER
Games 78 164
Record 1-1 4-4
Saves 0 0
ERA 4.13 4.15
Innings 65.1 123.2
Hits 51 101
Walks 34 68
Strikeouts 74 133
Runs 30 57
Home runs 6 14
BAA .208 .217
WHIP 1.30 1.37
BAA–opponents batting average;
WHIP–walks and hits to innings pitched
———-
psullivan@tribune.com
%%
%%
%%
