Z Minus

What do you suppose are the odds that Jim Hendry is watching each new shitty Carlos Zambrano start with secret, unexpressed glee? Because right now Zambrano is saving him a shitload of money. Though he managed not to take the loss thanks to a Cubs rally (later squandered by Scott Eyre), Zambrano gave up five runs on eight hits, with two home runs and five walks, in six innings. He did strike out six, but big fucking deal, really. Amazingly, Zambrano's season up until this point has been so bad that five earned runs in six innings actually lowered his ERA from 7.88 to 7.77.

So, Zambrano this season has pitched 22 innings, struck out 16, walked 16, allowed 19 runs, and gone 1-2. His win (over Milwaukee on April 7) was his only start of four that could even be considered a good start; in his two losses he's struck out a total of four batters.

I mean, I know it's early, but have you ever seen anyone play worse when playing for a lucrative contract in his prime? If Zambrano had started the season on fire, he would have forced Hendry's hand; with Z struggling out of the gate, Hendry can bide his time, and if Zambrano doesn't right the ship I'm sure Jim will be ready to swoop in with a lower offer. Not that Omar Minaya won't throw nine figures at Zambrano even if he goes 12-18 this year... but you can bet no one else will. And frankly, even Minaya might look cross-eyed at that one. But hey, at least Zambrano leads the team in OPS.

Really, how well could things possibly have worked for Hendry? Sure, the Soriano signing has been something of a bust so far, and that was where all the money went, but if Soriano comes back healthy and can be moved out of center, I think he'll be all right. Meanwhile, the two prizes of the pitching market - which the Cubs needed more desperately than another leadoff guy who can't get on base, even if he hits 45 home runs - were Schmidt and Zito, a combined 2-4 with an ERA over 6.00 through three starts (and Schmidt is now on the DL). At the same time, Ted Lilly and Jason Marquis have a combined ERA of 2.50 and are 2-2 total (due more to bad luck than their pitching), with five quality starts out of their six total appearances. If Zambrano could turn it around, this pitching staff is, somewhat improbably, setting itself up to be something of a force in the NL. If only the hitting and bullpen were more consistent.