Cubs Sign Carlos Zambrano

According to Bruce Levine of ESPN Radio 1000, the Cubs have agreed to a one-year, $6.5MM contract with starter Carlos Zambrano.  With the signing, the Cubs are done with their arbitration-eligible players.

Zambrano enters his age 25 season with a 3.26 career ERA and 1.27 WHIP.  He has steadily improved his baserunners per inning, from 1.45 in his rookie season to 1.15 last year.  While he’s already one of the best 15 pitchers in baseball, Zambrano could enter the truly elite if he’s able to further trim his walk rate.

Baseball Prospectus projects Zambrano to be worth $15,275,000 in 2006 and at least a $10MM pitcher annually through the end of the decade.