Carlos Zambrano returns Tuesday night after spending several weeks on the DL with a strained back possibly related to his overzealous batting practice swinging habits.  He gets to take a little dip in the kiddie pool (pitching against the Nationals) before diving into the big boy pool in his next start (pitching against a real major league club).

The words “too little, too late” leap to mind while pondering Zambrano’s return.  Instead of riding in on a white horse to save to the day, it feels like he’s arriving to survey the bloody aftermath.

The Cubs were right in the thick of the division and Wild Card races when Zambrano last made a start, on the 1st of August against Florida.  And now?  They have about as much shot at the postseason as O.J. does of ever again becoming a useful member of society.

Not that Zambrano’s start isn’t important.  It matters for him to go out and pitch well and reassure everyone, including himself, that his back is okay.  It also matters for other teams, ones that might want to trade for him in the off-season, to see that he’s healthy and can bring it.

Yes, I think the Cubs will have to consider trading Zambrano.  I think the Cubs, knowing Lou Piniella probably only has one more year left, and that their roster is getting old, have to be in go-for-broke mode this off-season.  Everyone and everything has to be on the table.  Including Zambrano.

No, I’m not calling for a fire-sale or a rebuilding.  I’m calling for an open-minded attitude regarding personnel.  I’m calling for creativity.  I’m calling for a shake-up.

This team needs a shake-up.  Trading Zambrano would certainly accomplish that.  And it would remove one headache from a roster full of headaches.