Epstein: Zambrano will get chance to 'earn his way back'
MILWAUKEE — The general managers meetings got off to rollicking start Monday for the Cubs.
Team president Theo Epstein and GM Jed Hoyer walked into the hotel just before 9:30 p.m. accompanied by Barry Praver, the agent for wayward pitcher Carlos Zambrano.
Earlier in the day, Epstein had lunch with Zambrano and Praver near Wrigley Field.
“We met today at his request in Chicago,” Epstein said. “It went well. He expressed a strong desire to be a Cub and an even stronger desire to have a really good 2012 season. He's in great shape. He's working extremely hard. He's working out twice a day.
“I told him that we would give him the right to earn his way back to being a Cub. Nothing will be given to him, but that he could earn his way back through very hard work this winter, through rebuilding relationships, man to man, and through some other steps that we discussed. We're not welcoming him back unconditionally at all.”
Zambrano walked out on the Cubs after an Aug. 12 start at Atlanta, and he hinted at retirement. The Cubs placed him on the disqualified list, and he did not pitch again. He ended his season 9-7 with a 4.82 ERA. It was his second team-imposed suspension in two seasons for actions deemed detrimental to the team.
If Zambrano completes the steps outlined by the Cubs, he could rejoin them in spring training.
Praver said it was “a good meeting,” but offered no details. He did not wish to offer his opinion on whether Zambrano would be back with the Cubs next year.
Ramirez's agent sounds off:Third baseman Aramis Ramirez may be gone, but he and his agent haven't forgotten. Agent Paul Kinzer arrived at the GM meetings and, unsolicited, lashed out at Cubs TV analyst Bob Brenly for remarks Brenly made last month on WMVP radio in Chicago. Brenly called Ramirez a #8220;numbers gatherer#8221; and also criticized Ramirez's defense. Ramirez currently is on the free-agent market and is seeking a contract in the #8220;four-(year) range, maybe three with an option,#8221; according to Kinzer. #8220;For a broadcaster to come out and say that, I think it was very low class, especially when a guy's a free agent,#8221; Kinzer said. #8220;I mean, we didn't come out and say a word about it, but that bothered Aramis, and it bothered me a lot, because if he (Brenly) has something to say to him, he should have just (come) and said it to his face when he was a Cub, not when he hits free agency and then come out like that.#8220;You can talk to (former GM) Jim Hendry and (former Cubs managers) Lou Piniella and Dusty Baker, and if this guy wasn't a producer, and if he was as bad as what he (Brenly) said and not a clutch hitter, they don't give Silver Sluggers out to punch-and-judy hitters. If he had a personal problem with him, he should have come to Aramis or I instead of trying to destroy him in the media.#8221;Kinzer reiterated that Ramirez would not be back with the Cubs. Managerial update:Theo Epstein said Jed Hoyer interviewed Boston Red Sox bench coach DeMarlo Hale by telephone for the Cubs' managerial job. Epstein said the Cubs are familiar enough with Hale from their Boston days that a face-to-face interview was not needed. As far as ex-Red Sox manager Terry Francona goes, Epstein said, #8220;We continue to talk.#8221; Epstein added it was #8220;very unlikely#8221; any other candidates would be interviewed.Castro to visit: Paul Kinzer said another of his clients, shortstop Starlin Castro, would be in Chicago Friday to meet with Theo Epstein. #8220;Just a little meet-and-greet,#8221; said Kinzer, who also represents closer Carlos Marmol, catcher Geovany Soto and shortstop prospect Junior Lake. Lobby talk:Super agent Scott Boras did a lobby session with the media and was asked about Brewers free-agent first baseman Prince Fielder possibly coming to the Cubs. #8220;Prince has hit well in Wrigley Field, that's for sure,#8221; Boras said. #8220;He's performed very well there, and he's done OK in that division, too.#8221;Boras said he plans to talk with Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer, but that he hasn't discussed #8220;subject areas yet.#8221; That also seems to include Carlos Pena, who played first base for the Cubs this year and is a free agent. #8220;I imagine we'll talk about all my clients,#8221; Boras said. bmiles@dailyherald.com