Nick Collias of MLB Trade Rumors is reporting Chicago Cubs right hander Carlos Zambrano spoke with the Venezuelan media about meeting with new Cubs exec Theo Epstein:
[The meeting with Epstein will] be quick - to meet each other. Talk in person. That's very important. I'd like to build a relationship from scratch with the new GM. Erase everything and start over.
Carlos Zambrano, who has had previous non-performance-related issues with the Cubs (including a smashed Gatorade machine and a brief in-season retirement), struggled on the field last year too, posting a career high ERA (4.82) and FIP (4.59):
Carlos Zambrano Stats
Epstein, the new Cubs President of Baseball Operations, has previously suggested the Cubs may explore keeping Zambrano at least one more year as the team looks to rebuild, so Zambrano's comments may suggest mutual interest in the possibility.
If the reunion does not go through, however, the Kansas City Royals and Miami Marlins have already expressed interest in trading for Zambrano -- at a considerable discount.
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