Carlos Zambrano struggled against the Brewers last week. (Phil Velasquez/Tribune)
NEW YORK -- In a stunning move before Wednesday's game, manager Lou Piniella announced that Carlos Zambrano will move to the bullpen on Friday in Milwaukee.
The return of Ted Lilly on Saturday meant someone would have to exit the rotation, though few expected it would be their Opening Day starter with the $91.5 million contract and a $17.875 million salary in 2010.
Piniella said Zambrano's "stuff, experience and durability" were the factors in the decision.
"I talked to Carlos today and told him we really needed him in the bullpen, and I felt he could do a really nice job there for us," Piniella said. "He said he would do what's best for the team. I'm very appreciative. You know, he talked about maturing. This proves it to me."
Is it temporary?
"Temporary?" Zambrano said. "He told me that probably Randy (Bush) or Jim Hendry was looking for an eighth inning guy. And when they find a guy and trade (for a) guy and get that guy here, I will be back to the rotation. Right now they need somebody to step up in the eighth inning. I don't like to be a reliever. I don't want to be a reliever, but this team needs somebody to step up and help the bullpen."
Piniella had a slightly different spin on the conversation.
"Temporary?" Piniella said. "We're trying to stabliize things and win some baseball games. This will give Jim (Hendry) and the front office more opportunities to hopefully do something (via a trade). If not, this could be not temporary."
Zambrano said he was fine with the decision, and was even thinking about it on Tuesday night after the game because the Cubs were looking for a right-handed power pitcher to set up for Carlos Marmol."I said, 'Whatever you want me to do, I'm here for this team,'" Zambrano said. "I'm here to help this team. If you want me to go to the bullpen, I'll go. If you want to keep me in the rotation, I will."
Zambrano compared it to the possibility of the Cubs asking Alfonso Soriano if he would move back to second base to help the team win.
"If Soriano wants to do it and thinks of this team, he would do it because he's a team guy," he said. "I understand the situation. We need a little help. Look, we already lost 3-4 games in the eighth inning. I'm not saying I will be a Superman. I'm not saying I will be the best set-up man in the business... I think I can be good. I think I can be great. It's up to me, the challenge."
Piniella said Zambrano could be used in back-to-back games right off the bat, despite switching from a starting role. Zambrano threw 119 pitches on Tuesday night.
"His arm is in great shape from starting," Piniella said. "I mean, we'll watch him. I've got (John) Grabow also that can do it. Now we have two experienced pitchers out there in late innings. I think it will help stabilize everything and help make everyone a little better."
While some expected Zambrano to be ticked off about moving from an "ace" to the bullpen, he was as calm as he's been for years.
"Why?" he said. "I can be the ace in the eighth inning. Mariano Rivera is the ace on (the Yankees). In that category, he's the ace.... Look, man, I'm not looking for a contract here. I have three more years to put up numbers, and who knows? I may still be playing baseball. I may not. But this is not the last year of my contract. I just want to get a ring, and I just want to help this team."
Piniella said it was "a move that had to be made" and that Zambrano was the best choice of his starters to move.
So Zambrano is OK with staying in the pen all year if they need him there?
"I told Lou I want to help this team until you find somebody," he said. "But I told him I want to be back for the playoffs. When, or if we go to the playoffs i want to go back in the rotation because i want to pitch in the playoffs."
Zambrano ended his press conference with a line from "The Terminator":
"Like Schwarzenegger says, 'I will be back.'"
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I think this an awesome move. It's so wier bc last night i was talking 2 co-workers and i told them i wanted Big Z in the pen, but i would like to see him as our closer and move Marmol back to set-up. I remember when Z was just coming up in the minors and my Beckett baseball magazine compared Z to Rob Nen. Like i said b4 in spring training please move soriano back to 2nd base. He'll be more relaxed and it will show in his offensive numbers. We must have good pitching(wich we do, other than set-up man)Defense to win games.
Go Cubbies
Putting Z in the bullpen is a great move. Look what it did for Kerry Wood's career. However, it wouldn't have been necessary if Hendry had done his job & gotten a bullpen in the offseason. And never let Wood (who wanted badly to stay) leave in the first place. This team is on the way down (WAY down), and I've seen nothing so far to convince me otherwise. Especially when I look out to Left Field. Bartman was a better left fielder than Sorry-anno.
It's all about the numbers...
Check out Carlos immortalized in "Carlos On The Mound": www.sunwolfpress.com
Z deserves better because he plays hard and trys EVERY GAME.He has been the cubs best starter since 2004.A couple bad starts this year and he gets demoted? And they keep bums like dempster,gorzelanny and randy wells in the rotation over Z? THATS why he deserves better the cub fans boo whoever isnt doing well currently and constantly whine about contracts.He desreves to play for a real team,a winning team like the yankees who dont have fans who whine over huge salaries because their whole team has plenty of em.Thats why they have 27 titles and the cubs have... Nevermind
Alan,
How can you say that Zambrano deserves better? This is entirely on him. He's been up and down all season. He refuses to stay hydrated in games and has to deal with cramps. It's pathetic that someone in Carlos' shoes can't even follow the team's instructions to avoid cramps. He's a joke (supposedly a new player this year) and the worst part is that the Cubs are stuck with his contract for the next four years.
This is just as sad as october 16,2003(bartman) and october 4th,2008(game 3 in l.a.) for me.This is horrible and Zambrano absolutely deserves better,I hope this is short term or the yankees offer something and save this kid from the cubs further mismanagment.In New York they dont whine about huge salaries because they have SEVERAL and thats why they are the champs while the cubs are in year 102 since their last Title.Zambrano keep your head up kid you deserve better cub fans are the worse
cubfan_budman, do you actually believe that this goofball is the best pitcher in the National League? He's not even the best on his own team. Also, have you ever heard of Lincecum, Carpenter, Haren or Wainwright?
So what? How many pennants have the Cubs won with Zambrano as a starter?
Looks like a very long summer at Ricketty Field!
I predict: In a few years we will look back at this and say, "Remember when they tried to move Zambrano to the bullpen in April?? What a dumb move that was."
Last offseason the yanks inquired about Z I hope he gets traded to the yankees a REAL TEAM who has fans who dont bitch about the 18+ million multiple salaries they have.Z deserves way better.I hope he gets traded to New York and thrives and cubs continue to look stupid this is a major disappointment and lou piniella is the worse manager I've seen this old bastard is clueless.
It's amazing people think Z is some bum who needs to be traded.Ask the Kc royals,Pittsburgh pirates and florida marlins if they would rather have a 140 million payroll or there current 35-50 million payrolls.Its a Privilege to have a team with big name players and high salaries.My allegiance to the cubs is really being tested.Theres no way Z should be in the bullpen.Silva,gorzelanny or dempster should of been demoted over Z being all of them are average or below average at best.Lou piniella is a horrible manager seriously he hasnt done nothin in 21 years
Why would u take probably the best pitcher in baseball (at least the national league) out of the rotation? Dusty should be fired for this stupid move
This has to be the most idiotic thing I've ever seen.You will never see CC sabathia moved to the pen,never halladay,johan sanatana or verlander.WOW you'd rather have tom gorzelany or ryan dempster starting over Z??? Are you Kidding me? WOW
Good Move Lou. It can't be any worse than what is being put out there in the 7th & 8th innings now...Now if you take Soriano out of starting all together...who know? Maybe we can start a winning streak and you will look like a genius.
Now if they could move (hide) a few starting position players in the bullpen, that would be an improvement!
wow. im done with this season already. throw the ace of the staff in the pen instead of trading for a decent reliever like heath bell on demaso marte or somebody. to hell with the cubs this season. glad the Nats are my 2nd team and are actually playin decent
This could be the move they need to get them back to the top!
Why all the love for Big Z? He has had two absolutely horrible starts and two mediocre starts. He is developing a history of getting hand cramps in the 5th inning from dehydration. I think a stint as a short reliever might be all he is capable of succeeding at right now. People get too hung up on the past. Goose Gossage started his career as a starter, as did many good relievers. Big Z had a very average year last year and is showing no signs of once again being a dominant starter. This is not a panic or knee-jerk reaction. It is the sensible thing to do. This is a team sport and Big Z is letting the team down big time. A change of responsibility should be good for him, plus our right handed relievers (except for Marmol) Berg, Gray, Smardjiza, and Caridad have been absolutely AWFUL!!! I hope this works.
I think its a great move. Our best starter is Silva anyways and hes gonna have a great year
to all those who think this is a good move and will help the cubbies you are fooling yourselves. this team wont win 60 games. unless this team start scoring runs it wont matter who is in the pen...
"Obviously, Snoozin' Lou's Ouija board has spoken!"
lol, that is some funny shite!
Can Carlos play short?
Has to be better than Theriout.
Jack, I agree! Clearly you people do not watch Cub games. Carlos has not performed since he pitched the no hitter in 2008. Lilly is our Ace now, hopefully he will come back strong. We need someone in the bullpen, I am sick of watching our starters pitch their a**es off and then some ahole reliever comes and blows it! Every d*mn time!!!!!!!!!!!
Obviously, Snoozin' Lou's Ouija board has spoken!
I am a White Sox fan, so I have to laugh at this stupid move. Is Pinella just doing this for a week to get into Zambrano's head, or is this really a permanent move? Zambrano is the most talented pitcher on the Cubs, although he would be much better if he learned to focus and control his anger.
I am shocked, stunned, confused. Feel a bit stupider for having Lou Pinella as the Cubs manager.
What was the though process in this?
How does Gorzelanny not move to bullpen? Marshall to set-up? Lilly replaces Gorzelanny?
Is that really that complicated??
Lou is old and his time has come to an end. Bring in the Ryne Sandberg era!!
May be we can move D Lee to left field, soriano to catcher, soto to first - mix it up! have some fun Lou!
What an idiot!
Hard throwing reliever? He's a sinkerball pitcher! When he overthrows it, it doesn't sink.....Sinkerballs that don't sink get hit a long, long way! Maybe this is a move to get him to waive his no trade clause....Hmmmmmm..
Only the Cubs would move their "ace" starter to the bullpen after 3 starts. This is just another panic move from a manager and GM who are trying to save their jobs.
Silva and Gorzolanny have had a combined 1 season with an ERA under 5 since the 2006 season. If anything, we should be using their hot starts in the pen since their history says that they will fall off.
Samardzija needs to be sent down for Stevens and Russell should be sent down for Gaub if Piniella thinks Russell has potential as a future SP. Stevens and Gaub both have track records of success as relievers in the minors and probably should've made the team in the first place.
After allowing 2 runs, he was sent to the pen? How in the world does this increase the hitting? It doesn't matter who starting or coming out of the bull pen, if you don't score runs you will still lose. I say let Z start at third base, he has to hit better than 160.
"and if Silva and Tom G. keep throwing the way they've been throwing so far they will be the best 4 & 5 guys in baseball!"
And if I win the lottery i will be rich...both are equally likely to happen
For ---
Relax on April 21, 2010 4:38 PM
You people don't understand how pitching works, they are simply using him on his bullpen mound day in the game instead of on the side. Pitchers usually throw about 25 to 35 live balls on pen days and this will simply replace that.
It will have no effect on his regular starts.
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Obviously you know nothing about MLB pitching to make such a dumb statement. First off , the pitcher doesn't throw for 2 days after a start and then they work in 25-40 throw on a "BULLPEN MOUND" with no one batting. How the hell is that the same as working the 8th inning on a real pitching mound. Do you seriously thing that Zambrano will now become the only pitcher since the early 1900's to both start and pitch relief for the rest of the season ? Please tell me you're not that dumb ??
Titanic captain Edward Smith moves deck chairs to storage.
Anyone who thinks this is a good move is completely clueless. It's like saying our bench is struggling so we are going to make D Lee a bench guy to help out..
This is a win-win for the Cubs. First off, our bullpen after Marmol is horrible! If Zambrano can come in the 8th and throw his hard breaking stuff it would be a vast improvement over what we have had so far! And this probably means that Jeff S. will be out of here, hopefully spending the rest of the season at AAA Iowa. Our rotation is still solid without Zambrano. Dempster and Lilly can anchor the top, Wells is looking pretty good in the middle, and if Silva and Tom G. keep throwing the way they've been throwing so far they will be the best 4 & 5 guys in baseball!
Also, say what you will about Lou, but you have to give him credit here for making a very tough move. Most managers in baseball wouldn't dare to tinker with their most expensive pitcher, even if he has not been great so far this season. And maybe this is a sign that he won't just leave Soriano out there forever. If he keeps on hurting the team without giving anything positive, and Lou thinks we have a better chance to win with Colvin in there, this shows that he might just be willing to make the move!
And finally, while Zambrano seems somewhat willing to do this, maybe this will change his mind about wanting to stay in Chicago no matter what. Maybe he would be more willing to waive that no-trade clause of his and go somewhere else if the Cubs get to the point where they want to deal him. I know our initial reaction was "WTF CUBS" but I think once the dust settles people will see this as a pretty good and gutsy move by Lou and the Cubs! And at 5-9 with no signs of improvement, you need to take a gutsy move or two or else your season could be lost by mid-May.
The bullpen is a smart move for this mediocre, overpaid CUB. I predict Ms. Carlita will not be a CUB come next season...and it's long overdue.
An MLB first: two 19 million-dollar bums not playing defense while resting in left field.
I really don't agree with this move, but I do want to point out how great Z's attitude is... maybe he really is working on his "head case". The true fans are rooting for you, Z! We want to see a Cubs ring, too!
Sign your career is on the wrong path -- you're making $18 mil, coming off your best start of the season to date, and still get moved to the bullpen while a Pirates reject keeps his spot in the rotation.
This is like watching someone manage their first fantasy baseball team. It may be early in the season, but the sky is already falling.
Put Carlos in left and let him hit!!!
To the guys who think this is a horrible move...what planet are you on? You think over 100 pitches in six innings is good? Z cant pitch past the 6th inning. Too many pitches because..one he walks too many and two...so many of his pitches get fouled off. Whats his ERA? Supposedly, the ace who has how many quality starts this year so far...and how many last year. Cmon...its not permanent and if Z is really okay with it....which I doubt....it would be the first time he did something good for the sake of the team and not himself! MR. I don't feel like hydrating between innings and lets see how many times I can disrespect and show up his manager when he wants to take him out.OMG there goes his plate appearances...gag
roach on April 21, 2010 4:30 PM
I think I officially just became a Sox fan...
jon on April 21, 2010 4:27 PM
horrible move. big z is still a very good starting pitcher and its rediculous to have him in the pen. im becoming a sox fan if this moves sticks and im rooting for Z if he gets traded and plays the cubs.
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Good, go to the White Sox. You are complete morons anyway, so you'd fit right in with all the other Cubs-obsessed Sox fans!
This is a move I suggested a week ago. You have to do something. You want to keep getting what you're getting, keep doing what you're doing.
Only problem, Zambrano's at tool no matter what role he fulfills.
Zambrano throws way too many pitches to be in the bullpen. How many times has he thrown 80 pitches in the first four innings because he's trying to strike out everyone? You can't pitch that way when you're the setup man. Cub fans' hearts can take anymore eighth-inning leadoff walks.
best move yet. Terrific idea.
Love this move. Honestly you have to crerdit Lou with making changes; unlike Dusty.
Right now we need relief pitching more than starters, especially with Lilly coming back. And, let's not forget Z gave up 6 runs in one inning 2 starts ago.
I like this move.
Here we all are wishing he'd bench Soriano and he pulls a surprise move like this.
Lou = mismanager of the year.
This is a move that has more to do with Zambrano's health, than it does his pitching struggles. He has done nothing on the field to suggest that he is not a top 5 starter for the Cubs.
But can you say, "arm problems"???
Just another mediocre Cub that is paid a superstar salary. What does he care? Money is money. Go Cards!
Bizarre move. I wouldn't lump Big Z with Soriano and Bradley. If there is one thing you can't accuse him of, it's not caring. He may be an inconsistent, overgrown goof, but he does care. Isn't it a little early to put him in the bullpen? This is a guy who normally wins 13-18 games a year and has an ERA under 4.00. Last year was his first truly disappointing season. He's not an ace, but he's a good pitcher with a lot of pride. I'm surprised he accepted the move, I could have easily envisioned him going ballistic and attacking the messenger. That being said, i like the guy and i hope he turns it around.
I think I officially just became a Sox fan...
horrible move. big z is still a very good starting pitcher and its rediculous to have him in the pen. im becoming a sox fan if this moves sticks and im rooting for Z if he gets traded and plays the cubs.
This is completely stupid. Last night Big Z pitched 6 innings with 9 strikeouts and allowed only 2 runs. He's recovering from a slow start. He has 26 Ks in 19 innings and has the ability to throw 120 pitches each start. Is Carlos Silva really going to be better in the long run?
its a good thing he lost all that weight. ya right. one year contracts are the only answer.
Well, so much for all the sportstalk that you can't put a $90 million man in the bullpen, especially not as the closer.
Smart move Cubs. I'm glad they were willing to admit he was their weakest starter. His speed might work better in the bullpen.
This just goes to show why you shouldn't pay these big contracts. Let these guys go.
Soriano, Zambrano and Bradley.
Cubs fans rejoiced when the Cubs spent big money. It doesn't look so good now.
This is just a terrible move. I hope Silva and Gorzelany are a much shorter leash than Z was...UGH!
good move!!
That's a thought - Z would play a way better left field than a certain person already out there - how about 1st base too so D-Lee can get time off
A few more months, we will have the Sandberg era!!!
What a joke of a season. Year 1 this
This is excellent. The Big stink in the pen. I wonder how long it takes for the fireworks to go off.
Do they have water coolers in the bullpen?
Since he only wants to complete his current contract and retire according to an interview with him last year, this must make him happy.....
They should move Zambrano to LF - perhaps then they won't be 15th of 16 teams in runs scored.
Can we put Soriano in the bullpen as well?