MESA, Ariz. -- Carlos Zambrano went on a nutritional program that helped him lose 15 pounds over the winter.
He came to camp early to get prepared for the season, hoping to prove that his 2009 season was a fluke.
"I'm a proud guy," he said. "Obviously I wasn't proud of the season I had last year...I feel like a new guy. I feel like a rookie again. That's why I've got this haircut."
Zambrano pulled off his cap to reveal a shortly cropped hairstyle.
"I got this haircut in December or January, and someone said to me, 'Hey, you look like when you were a rookie when you came up to pitch against Milwaukee,' "he said.
Photo: Carlos Zambrano showed off his slimmer look at the Cubs Convention in January. (Phil Velasquez/Tribune)
Besides the new look, Zambrano also said he plans to ditch the cut fastball from his repertoire this year. Zambrano said he didn't have enough control of the cutter to keep throwing it.
"It's good to have that pitch, but it wasn't the pitch that made me successful," he said. "The sinker was what made me good earlier in my career. I want to stay with the sinker. No more cutter. Just sinker, slider, split and high fastball."
As for the offseason rumors that the New York Yankees were trying to acquire him, Zambrano labeled it "speculation by you guys." But there is no question the Yankees called general manager Jim Hendry to inquire about Zambrano. Hendry didn't bother to ask Zambrano if he would give up his no-trade clause.
"Even if I have a bad season this year again, I want to finish my career here," he said. "I will say 'no."
But Zambrano said he did have to explain to his 9-year-old daughter that there was a possibility he'd be gone.
"I told my daugther we may move, with all the rumors," he said. "She started crying, saying she loved Chicago. It's hard to see your kids crying. That was a moment of frustration. Everyone was talking about trading, trading, trading. I thought it was coming for sure. But thank God Jim never mentioned anything to me. It was all speculation by you guys, or somebody in the media.
"When people say some thing so many times, sometimes you believe it."
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My biggest problem with Carlos is picking a fight with a teammate. Emotions run high, but you got to remain professional. Other than that, I hope he does well. I am a Cubs fan through and through and want them to succeed.
Did that guy say "pure white?" Yikes!
If you put lipstick on a pig......it's still a pig.
Z will be 5-8 on the Cubs this year then will go on to an 8-0 finish for the 2010 AL East Champion Yankees. He will injure himself in his last start and will miss the playoffs.
I wonder if Z's and Soto's new nutrition plans and attitudes involve Flintstone's Vitamins.
For that matter, I wonder why Soto has the name of a defunct Chevy car on his protector. May Santo drives it.
you can't teach an old dog new tricks. people do not change.
Sox fans posting on here are almost funny. It's hard to tell who is smarter-Sox fans or Cardinal fans. It's sort of asking who's better looking, Hillary Clinton or Nancy Pelosi.
ALRIGHT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Way to go carlos shut all these perpetual cynical "fans" up.I fully expect Z to compete for a cy young this year 20 plus wins.Just win
Z will be gone by the end of July and the Cubs will win 74 games this year but the women's rooms at Wrigley will be improved!
Ryno, by definition, will change everything!
Why isnt Dempster savaged for breaking his toe and screwing up his season?
We only love Theriot, Dempster, Fontenot, Sam Fuld, Reed Johnson, Koyie Hill, Lilly , and Marshall!
And bring back Gracey. He is pure class. And pure white.
Way to go Carlos! You did the bare minimum of staying in shape over the offseason.
What a head case, we need to trade him now while he has value. Lets go young, and bring in Ryno next year.
This year is over