Cubs and "Big Z"

Chicago Cubs pitcher Carlos Zambrano has told the team if he doesn't have a new contract by Opening Day, he'll play the season out and become a free agent.

Arrogance? Maybe. But he seems to be a smart guy. In a time when Mark Prior and Kerry Wood were supposed to be the cornerstones of the team for years, "Big Z" turned out to be the ace. Zambrano went 16-7 with a 3.41 ERA in 2006. For his career he's 64-42 with a 3.29 ERA in 977 innings. Zambrano and the Cubs are currently due to go to salary arbitration Feb. 20, with Zambrano seeking $15.5 million and the Cubs offering $11.025 million.

Cubs' GM Jim Hendry forked over $300 million in the offseason, signing Alfonso Soriano, Ted Lilly and Aramis Ramirez to big contracts. And now Zambrano wants Barry Zito money (seven-years, $126 million with the Giants).

I don't blame him for wanting to sign now. Teams are paying big for little or no talent, and Zambrano is one of the best pitchers in baseball. What if he gets hurt this season? His value would sink -- a lot. The old saying is strike while the iron is hot. And after you've spent $300 million already, what's a few more million?

Sign him, NOW. Or like Greg Maddux, it could come back to haunt us for years.