Carlos Zambrano was once considered a top-flight starter in Chicago. After some problems with the Cubs organization, though, he's become an afterthought across much of Major League Baseball.
Not for the Miami Marlins.
The Marlins are close to acquiring the 30-year-old hurler from the Cubs, FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal reports. Zambrano would need to waive his no-trade clause in order for the deal to take place, but Rosenthal expects that the righty would do so in order to play for fellow Venezuelan Ozzie Guillen.
Zambrano is set to earn $18 million in 2012, so it's expected that the Cubs would pick up a big chunk of that.
Cubs president Theo Epstein said earlier this offseason that he planned to give Zambrano, who had been pitching in Venezuela, a chance to earn his way back onto the Cubs roster for 2012. Zambrano was placed on the disqualified list on Aug. 12 after getting ejected from a game against the Braves for throwing at Chipper Jones twice in the same at-bat. It was the latest instance of Zambrano's temper getting the best of him.
Zambrano was also struck in the head by a line drive while pitching in Venezuela this offseason.
The 11-year veteran, who's pitched for the Cubs his entire career, finished 2011 with a 9-7 record and a 4.82 ERA in 24 starts. In his career, he's 125-81 with a 3.60 ERA in 319 games (282 starts).
