By Paul Sullivan
WASHINGTON -- Before flying to Venezuela to deal with a family situation, Carlos Zambrano finally admitted his true feelings on being sent to the bullpen in April.
With four starts under his belt since his second return, Zambrano has a 2.25 earned-run average. His splitter, slider and fastball were all working for him Tuesday, and he's improved in every start.
Does he ever wonder if he'd be pitching like this had he stayed in the rotation from the outset?
"What do you think?" he replied. "The situation we were in, when they moved me to the bullpen, it was kind of weird. But at the same time, they needed somebody in the bullpen in the eighth inning. We were losing a lot of games in the seventh, eighth innings. I think from my perspective we get too desperate too soon. To make that decision, that's OK. But you know what? I'm trying to finish the season strong and trying to be consistent and prepare for this last month."
Photo: Carlos Zambrano pitches against the Nationals on Tuesday night. (Harry E. Walker/MCT)
The Cubs were 5-9 at the time and John Grabow and Esmailin Caridad had failed as set-up men for Carlos Marmol. Sean Marshall eventually filled the role admirably, but not until the ill-fated experiment to move Zambrano.
At the time, Zambrano thought it was temporary, saying former manager Lou Piniella told him "when they find a guy and trade (for a) guy and get that guy here, I will be back to the rotation."
He played the good soldier, even while his handlers were criticizing the decision behind closed doors.
A trade never developed, and after five weeks, Zambrano was moved back into the rotation on June 4 in Houston. By that time the Cubs were 5 games under .500 and 6 ½ games out of first. Zambrano made only five starts before the infamous dugout blow-up at the Cell on June 25, leading to anger management therapy and a second demotion to the bullpen.
But were the Cubs "too desperate" in moving him so early in the season, as Zambrano believes? Piniella took the blame for the decision, though general manager Jim Hendry endorsed it and Piniella later said pitching coach Larry Rothschild felt it would bring back Zambrano's velocity.
It's all hindsight now, but would the Cubs have been better off leaving Zambrano in the rotation and finding another right-hander to share the set-up role with Marshall? Or would they have struggled anyways because the offense was never in gear in the first half?
These are questions that can never be answered. But at least we know how Zambrano feels.
At the time, Zambrano thought it was temporary, saying former manager Lou Piniella told him "when they find a guy and trade (for a) guy and get that guy here, I will be back to the rotation."
He played the good soldier, even while his handlers were criticizing the decision behind closed doors.
A trade never developed, and after five weeks, Zambrano was moved back into the rotation on June 4 in Houston. By that time the Cubs were 5 games under .500 and 6 ½ games out of first. Zambrano made only five starts before the infamous dugout blow-up at the Cell on June 25, leading to anger management therapy and a second demotion to the bullpen.
But were the Cubs "too desperate" in moving him so early in the season, as Zambrano believes? Piniella took the blame for the decision, though general manager Jim Hendry endorsed it and Piniella later said pitching coach Larry Rothschild felt it would bring back Zambrano's velocity.
It's all hindsight now, but would the Cubs have been better off leaving Zambrano in the rotation and finding another right-hander to share the set-up role with Marshall? Or would they have struggled anyways because the offense was never in gear in the first half?
These are questions that can never be answered. But at least we know how Zambrano feels.
Sorry Z but you were moved to the bullpen because you were acting like a jackass and giving up 6-9 runs in the first. What a head-case.
I just hope "PC" Hendry & Co. didn't ruin "Z" by pushing him into "Kum-Bay-Ya", "Working & Playing Well With Others", wussifying "anger management" indoctrination!!
"Z's" emotion and spirit, and yes, even anger, is what made him a real competitor!!
I'm so tired of this "feminized" Bud Selig baseball mentality; and, the Tribune's "corporate players" mindset with the Cubs and most of baseball!!
Bring back real Major League Baseball!! With "BALLPLAYERS" on the field like Santo, Williams, Randy Hundley, Tug McGraw, Greg Lucinski, Aaron, Louis Aparicio, Boog Powell, Pete Rose, Bob Denier, Sarge, etc.!! (The list is endless, and ALL pre-Selig!!)
Also bring back the real managers like Sparky Anderson, Billy Martin, La Russa (in his better days, although he's still got more spunk than most of them!), Popeye, Lasorda, etc.!!
You get more exciting baseball these days in the amateur leagues, or even blue collar softball tournaments!!
Baseball WAS a Contact Sport!!
@cw: Resigning Zambrano was the least of the Cubs problems.
Trading away three young pitchers for a useless one dimensional player like Juan Pierre was pretty daft. All three of those pitchers would make the current Cubs rotation. Signing a known team wrecker like Milton Bradley was the quickest way of poisoning the clubhouse. This at a time when other options were available - Adam Dunn could have given the Cubs a massive lift with some left handed power and a real presence in the lineup and clubhouse.
Hendry got worse as a GM as time went on. He has to move on with Lou if the Cubs are to stand a chance of fielding a competitive team anytime soon.
All you losers banging on Hendry would have been bitching and moaning if he did not resign Zambrano years back. It awfully convenient to throw stones after the fact and blame someone for the current issues. Get a life!
Zambrano is right. Lou failed, Rothschild has been failing for years, and Hendry has approved as many bad decisions as he's made.
The team is in the shitter because of these three.
Time to clean house and start again. And yes, Z is part of the future. He's been a workhorse for the club, and while not the pitcher he was, is still a reliable mid rotation starter to build upon.
To think Hendry will likely be allowed to appoint the next manager. FFS, you signed Milton Bradley when you should have signed Adam Dunn.
Unfortunately, some Cubs fans are as dumb as the three stooges.
Of course it was desperate. What Jim Hendry move isn't?
Pitchers with marginal stuff throw well for short burts, it happends quite frequently. Zambrano's wildness of late has actually helped him. His movement has been better although his velocity is still a issue. If the Cubs can unload him to some sucker they will but his contract belies the fact they will need to eat some $$,$$$,$$$
The Cubs were too desperate? Has Zambrano taken a good look at the team he plays for?
That aside, I hope the best for his nephew. From earlier press reports, I understand the prognoses is pretty bad.
Larry is an idiot. Z is a big horse and needs someone to break him and keep him under control. I think he's got lots of potential if managed. But under Larry's destructive coaching we've gone through one pitcher after another. He's poison.
The bullpen was a mess once the season started. The big key here was the loss of Guzman. He was solid last year and everyone thought he was the answer for the RH set up role. I don't know about Grabow but with a healthy Guzman, Grabow, Marshall, and Marmol thats a pretty good start of a bullpen. No way any team wins with as the cubs rookies in the pen. hopefully Cashner can come around and be a solid pitcher. The rest are doubtful at best.
The guy used to throw 95-96 MPH standing on his head. Now, Kasper and Brenly wet themselves over his velocity when he gets one up there at 90 MPH. The years and the gremlins have taken their toll. He's a 4th or 5th starter and a marginal one at that.
Z was actually really good after his opening day meltdown. He didn't deserve to be moved into the pen.
Maybe some people should look at the stats before making dumb comments.
Z to the bullpen was a desperate move, but the Cubs have appeared desperate from Opening Day.
I get tired of Z's immaturity at times, but he can still pitch in any starting rotation, and salaries are insane across the league, so we need him and his crazy emotions; however, one more incident w/a teammate, and he's got to go, period.
I do think Carlos could be a lights out late inning guy, but only if he wants it... you can't force a player, especially one as mental as Z, to play a role he doesn't want, and Lou got to the point this season where he simply could not manage this team or their personalities. Dog on Soriano & Ramirez for being human, but Lou quit on this team... on baseball, and probably couldn't help it. He's aged out of this game and was mentally spent after 2009 and couldn't do much more in 2010 except for jumbling up the lineup everyday.
And the pitching has been horrible and an absolute season killer. The Cubs had very little chance for much success this season with a bullpen full of rookies and John Grabow... REALLY??? Grabow? Hendry set this season up to play out just as it has by refusing to actually fill holes on this team. Instead of unnecessary outfielders and 2nd basemen, this team needs strong arms and confident players who know how to pitch, not just throw. WTF is up with trading Ted Lilly? Typical bonehead Hendry move of late.
let's face it: it makes no sense to move your opening day starter to set up duty strictly for baseball reasons. if it were just to stop blowing games in the 7th/8th inn, would've been better to move gorzelanny or randy wells to that setup role instead of zambrano...would attract less attention too. the cubs also argued it would help fix zambrano's velocity but c'mon, would a low-velocity zambrano help stop blowing games in the 7th and 8th innings? that doesn't make any sense.
clearly, lou moved zambrano instead of a different pitcher to setup role b/c it was a disciplinary matter with Z. publicly, the team tells everyone it's for baseball reasons b/c it leads to less speculation than if you tell the media it's a disciplinary move. but with z, things are never what they appear to be.
Fat Z never learns.... he needs to keep his FAT mouth shut. Completely. Not even to eat! Then, he won't sound stupid, he'll lose a few pounds as well. The Cubs are pathetic!
The Big Zzzz was averaging 20 pitches an inning before he was moved to the 'pen and rarely was going past the 5th inning. Maybe if he wasn't afraid of getting hit and threw strikes, Lou wouldn't have moved him.
Hey "Z"..........
At that time your pitching STUNK....and you got "sent down" to the pen. DEAL WITH IT!!! AND...STOP CRYING!! Your a "big-boy"!
Act like one!! Stop being a big baby!!
Big Z: Get yer mouth shut!!!
I cant wait for the cubs to finally win a WS and bring the champ to Chi Town... Anyway I was just on this really funny site called , peopleofthemta.com ? Very funny!
Too much is being made in regards to the pitching. Were losses contributed to the pitching? Absolutely. You don't have a season as pathetic as the Cubs season has been, without every facet of the team having letdowns. In fact, there's still issues with the late innings bullpen. Carlos Marmol isn't good enough to be a team's closer imo. His control is so inaccurate, that there's never any sort of comfort level, when he comes on to close out a game. However, the true culprit of this terrible season was the Cubs offense, led by it's veterans. Every player struggled at times getting a clutch hit, but the 3-4 hitters in a lineup are counted on to pick a team up, but Lee and Ramirez never were able to pick up themselves, much less the rest of the team.
If this was the NFL we would have accused Hendry of tanking the season.