Marlins Reportedly Interested in Carlos Zambrano

A much different Big Z could suit up in Miami in 2012

 Big Z could be coming to Miami.

Not Zydrunas Ilgauskas, who retired from basketball and will not rejoin the Miami Heat when (if) the NBA lockout ends, but Carlos Zambrano, the combustible pitcher for the Chicago Cubs.

The Miami Herald reported this weekend that the Florida Marlins are interested in acquiring the big right-hander from the Cubs, but only if Chicago will eat a significant portion of the $18 million he is owed in 2012.

Why might Chicago bite on a trade offer for Zambrano even if they have to pay his hefty salary? Because the Cubs are tired of Zambrano's shtick.

Big Z is a noted hothead, prone to epic breakdowns on the mound when the tide turns against him. If he loses his temper, no one is safe, not umpires, his teammates, or even the dugout Gatorade machine.

After yet another catastrophic start against Atlanta in August, Zambrano cleaned out his locker and told the Cubs he was retiring. The team placed him on the disqualified list shortly thereafter, and Zambrano did not make another appearance the rest of the season.

Even though Zambrano changed his mind about retirement, it is likely the Cubs have tired of his declining production. His ERA jumped to 4.82 in 2011, and his strikeouts per 9 innings rate fell to 6.24 from 8.12 in 2009.

Zambrano has also become an injury risk. It has been 4 seasons since he last pitched 200 innings.

But new Marlins manager and fellow Venezuelan Ozzie Guillen is a friend of Zambrano's, and there is hope that he can be the clubhouse ally who can help Big Z get the most out of his raw talent.

The Herald notes that Zambrano recently told a Spanish newspaper he and Guillen speak almost every day.

If Chicago does not mind paying Zambrano to pitch elsewhere, he may be a good risk for the Marlins. They would have to give up a prospect or two in return, but considering the Marlins' trouble piecing together a rotation in 2011, it may be worth the gamble.

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