Former big league hurler Carlos Zambrano is launching a comeback bid, Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times reports. The long-time Cubs hurler will kick things off by returning to the windy city for a stint with the American Association’s Chicago Dogs.
Zambrano was at times one of the game’s best pitchers, having thrice finished in the top five of the Cy Young voting in the National League. He compiled nearly two thousand innings of 3.66 ERA ball at the game’s highest level. Of course, Zambrano is also now 37 years of age. There are certainly hurlers who’ve proven capable of being quite useful at that age, but Zambrano is a bit rusty. He last pitched in the majors in 2012 (with the Marlins), last threw in the affiliated ranks in 2013 (with the Phillies), and announced his retirement in 2014.
More recently, Zambrano has dabbled with a return to competitive action. He took seven starts in the Mexican League last fall, pitching to a 5.18 ERA in 33 innings but recording more walks (17) than strikeouts (11). The numbers were even less promising in a just-completed 29 1/3-frame stint in the Venezuelan Winter League. Zambrano coughed up 24 earned runs on 47 hits while compiling a 10:12 K/BB ratio.
Those showings don’t leave much cause for optimism, but Zambrano says he’s fully committed now to giving it a real go. The scouts will surely find him if he shows any spark, though Zambrano’s possible path back to the majors may also be complicated by his history of confrontational behavior. If nothing else, Zambrano certainly ought to help the Dogs draw. He’ll join a roster that also includes another name of note for Chicago-area fans in Shawon Dunston Jr.
I hope to see him make it back
More dugout blowups would indeed add intrigue.
Water tubs everywhere are afraid
I remember this outstanding human being. I believe he even assaulted his catcher Michael Barrett in the dugout during a game.
He got into it with Derrek Lee too.
Derreck Lee started that fight with Zambrano. Call Zambrano crazy but he wanted to win. Derrick Lee should have kept his mouth shut that day.
I don’t think Zambrano is by any means a great guy, but Michael Barrett is in the same boat lol. Quite the history.
I would say that I recall Zambrano having the maybe-deserved reputation of being a bit crazy, but Barrett had the well-earned reputation of being a jerk.
A “Big Z” for me. “Slammin’ Sammy” next?
Classy guys.
Cubs fans might prefer him in his current state over Tyler Chatwood or Carl Edwards Jr.
True that.
Since Carlos Zambrano was primarily a starting pitcher for the Cubs you might want to add Yu Darvish into this conversation. Say what you will about Zambrano’s temper but no Cubs fan would consider “Big Z” mentally weak/timid on the mound or at the dish. As for “Little U”, that’s another matter altogether.
I wonder how many umpires he would eject in this day and age?
One thing I’ve always remembered about Zambrano was how good of a hitter he was compared to the average pitcher. Here’s a fun stat about his batting: in 2006 he had 11 hits (one of his lowest season totals forhis career), but 6 of the 11 hits were home runs.
.238 with 24 homers in 744 PA. Very respectable.
Those were basically Yoan Moncada’s numbers in his first 1-1/2 years with the White Sox. Fortunately, Moncada looks like a different player at the dish this season after he moved from 2B to 3B.
Carlos, we hardly knew ye’
Man, Shawon Dunston Jr. has one of the very saddest minor league batting lines ever. 7 years in the minors and never got out of A-ball. Barely ever played (career minor-league high in PAs was 328). I understand a legacy signing, much like how the elite get their kids into college, but man, he just isn’t good.
Carlos: Oh, Keuchel and Kimbrel are free agents? Now is a good time to start my comeback!
Hey maybe he will give DH a try. As I recall he could hit. A ball I mean
One of the few pitchers that could actually hit the ball decently.
That wasn’t the only thing he could hit…
I think the cubs used him as a pinch hitter occasionally.
Well, good luck to him. Carlos Zambrano was a volatile individual during his run with the Cubs. Hopefully, for his sake and others around him he has mellowed with age. He had a successful run with the Cubs. Those days with Zambrano, especially when Lou Pinella was flaming out as manager, were must watch Cub baseball.
The 17 walks in 33 IP is a 4.6 BB/9
That is better than he was back in 2012 with the Marlins, when he held a 5.1 BB9 over 132.1 innings.
Yeah, but control has always been a problem for him, which is why his best BB/9 was 3.4 in 2008, yet he was still a very good pitcher in his prime.
For everyone slamming him for his past behavior, dig a little deeper into this elsewhere. You’ll find articles that include what wasn’t included here, concerning his faith. A story of redemption.
I’m happy for him if that’s the case. I’m a Pirates fan but I never disliked Zambrano. He struck me as really competitive and as a guy who couldn’t always control his emotions, and that lack of emotional control sometimes affected his play. Props to him if he’s overcoming those issues.
Dude had a pretty good career — he also hit .238/.248/.388 with 24 homers
Love Big Z, hope he makes it back
Couldn’t stand the guy. Always acted like a bully. Loved watching him get hammered and throwing fits. Nothing but a troublemaker.
It takes one to know one , I guess
He’s only 36?!
Sorry, 37. I thought he was 45…
Yeah he started young. I really enjoyed watching him play. He could be a jerk but you can tell by that attitude he really cared about how he performed and he was a fiery competitor. I hope he makes it back because the game seems to be lacking the fire these days. Some players like Sale still have it but most are just businessmen now.
Gatorade jugs beware.
Actually Dunston Jr. signed with the Gateway Grizzlies of the Frontier League this year. He played for the Chicago Dogs for only part of the 2018 season.
He got lit up in the Mexican League? If he just wants to play ball all the power to him but he’s not an mlb pitcher anymore. Gio Gonzalez signed mid spring on his first offer and it was a minor league one with little guaranteed money. This is not a comeback bid. Add in his antics and it’s impossible
Dumpster div’in Theo!
Hell, with that kind of success in the Mexican League a ticket to the majors after (bombing out years ago) should be a given…SMH…