This weekend’s Cubs Convention gave all the local papers a chance to snag some quotes from Carlos Zambrano concerning his contract negotiations.
From the Sun-Times:
"I don’t want to talk contract when the season starts. It has to be before the season starts or spring training."
"There’s a [good] chance I sign with the Cubs. This is a business. I want to stay here, but like I said, this is a business." MLBTR note: if he didn’t actually say "good," doesn’t that change this quote drastically?
"You take less than Zito take and everybody talks about you, saying, ‘Zambrano sign a bad contract.’ You take more and everybody says, ‘Zambrano is taking advantage.’ I think the thing is to be around what Zito signed for, more or the same."
"He [Jim Hendry] spent a lot of money. I hope he has more for Big Z."
From the Daily Herald:
"We’re talking right now. (Today) will be the second time my agent meets with Jim Hendry."
From the Tribune:
"Zito is a great pitcher, and it’s good for him he got that contract, and I think that will help me."