Zambrano is still currently a free agent and he caused quite a stir on the Internet when it was reported that he had showed up to Wrigley Field Wednesday. While no comments were heard out of the mouths of Theo Epstein or Jed Hoyer, according to the Chicago Tribune, a Cubs source confirmed that the team had zero interest in bringing back the volatile pitcher. “Rumors are rumors,” was all manager Dale Sveum contributed to the situation. Apparently Zambrano had dropped in to visit his former buddies, including crossing over to the Rangers clubhouse to catch up with his ex catcher Geo Soto.

July 17, 2012; Chicago, IL, USA; Miami Marlins starting pitcher Carlos Zambrano (38) talks with the media before the game against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Rob Grabowski-USA TODAY Sports

For those of you worried about Big Z figuratively blowing up Wrigley Field again ahead of the planned renovations, there is no way this front office welcomes back the cancer that they ate nearly $18 million to send packing to the more fitting circus that was the multi team colored Marlins. The last thing a young ballclub that has shown some fight channeled on the field of play so far this season does not need the infighting that Zambrano would bring. Players that have received Big Z’s verbal, if not physical, attacks in the past, such as Carlos Marmol, still remain on the roster, while the new culture youth the front office is trying to develop would be crushed by the rotund righty’s anger issues.

Yes, the Cubs bullpen has gotten so bad that they have brought back 2009 closer failure Kevin Gregg and waiver wire scrap Kameron Loe, but even if Zambrano could play for free the Cubs would not touch that ticking time bomb. There was some talk on the Internet that Zambrano should be tried out in the closer’s role. We need to squash that desire right now. If you really have that much fond memories of Zambrano, just pop in a recording of his no hitter from 2008 and get rid of your itch that way. The Cubs need to move forward towards their 2015 World Series goal and not take a step back to the failures of the past regime.

May 17, 2012; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Chris Volstad reacts during the second inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-US PRESSWIRE

Big V? It’s catchy, no? Reminiscent of a former Cubs’ hurler, Carlos Zambrano. Thankfully, Chris Volstad has not brought the antics Zambrano did to the Chicago clubhouse. However, the right-hander has, perhaps, an even bigger weight on his shoulders – a winless streak that spans 24 starts. His last win came on July 10, 2011 in a home start against Houston as a member of the Marlins – still known that time as the Florida Marlins.

On Sunday, Volstad takes the mound for the Cubs in the rubber match of a three-game series with Colorado. He enters this start having his lowest earned run average by month in August at 4.88 ERA – which in and of itself, is disheartening. This is is first start against the Rockies as a member of the Cubs, and he has not faced Colorado since 2010, when he made one start and lasted only 4 1/3 innings, allowed seven runs – all earned – on seven hits, while walking three and striking out four.

Neither team has been potent offensively in the series, with the Cubs managing a .180 average and the Rockies fairing hardly better at .224. However, former Cub DJ LaMahieu has been hot in the first two games of the series, hitting .375 with a run scored. Volstad is coming off a no-decision, in which he pitched six innings against the Reds. The Cubs eventually lost the game in walk-off fashion in the bottom of the ninth.

Key to the Game

Paint the corners: Volstad has not had control problems this season; as a matter of fact, it’s been quite the contrary. The right-hander has been sitting in the zone too often, especially with his fastball, and has left the breaking ball out over the plate. If he can get hitters to chase, and keep that fastball in on the hands of hitters, he stands a fair chance of earning the allusive win Sunday.

Tune In:

Cubs fans can listen to tomorrow’s game on 720 WGN, with Pat Hughes and Keith Moreland bring you all the action, or watch it on WGN. Bob Brenly and Len Kasper will bring you all the action. First pitch is scheduled for 1:20 p.m.

Even Epstein wondered out loud to reporters at Spring Training when his honeymoon period with the media and fans would be up. Two years? Two months? Or two weeks? Although the Cubs may be on pace for a record losing season, I for one will not jump the gun on the Epstein era just yet. And I am sure most reasonable Cubs fans feel the same way. So with that in mind I kick of this series of reviews with the more than just the 2012 season in mind.

July 3, 2012; Atlanta, GA, USA; Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Chris Volstad (32) reacts to allowing a home run in the fifth inning against the Atlanta Braves at Turner Field. Credit: Daniel Shirey-US PRESSWIRE

Today we take a look at the salary and cancer dump of Carlos Zambrano by the Epstein led Cubs front office. After the recent in house blow ups and lack of All Star production from the mercurial starting pitcher, fans on the North Side had been clamoring for the departure of the burly right hander. Finding a trade partner had proven to be a difficult task  for the past regime, and that scenario had not changed with a flip of a switch to the Epstein and Jed Hoyer led organization.

However, the front office duo did start their time with the Cubs by publically saying all the right things about Zambrano. Behind the scenes, it had been determined early on from one on one discussions that Zambrano would not waive his no trade rights given to him by Jim Hendry. Epstein also got a feel for the clubhouse’s feelings towards Zambrano, and what was obvious to everyone else who had been around for the distractions of prior years was being confirmed to Epstein. Disagreements and fights within the team are not uncommon, but what was unforgiveable amongst teammates was the night Zambrano walked out on his team mid game almost a year ago today after a terrible outing.

As a result, and despite Zambrano declining to waive his no trade clause up front, Epstein and Company went on the hunt to find a new home for the disgruntled pitcher. It was publically noted during Ozzie Guillen’s time on the South Side that the fiery felt he would be able to harness Zambrano if the fellow Venezuelan was on his team. Guillen got a chance to prove it when Epstein and the Cubs announced that they had dealt Zambrano to the Marlins for Chris Volstad. The agreement included the Cubs eating $15 million of the $18 million owed for 2012. Zambrano waived his no trade clause and his right for a $19 million option to vest in exchange for the $2.4 million in salary he lost while on the disqualified list after his “retirement” desertion last year, according to Bruce Levine of ESPN Chicago.

Volstad came to the Cubs with a career win loss record slightly under .500 with a 4.59 ERA. He is a former first round pick that struggled to be consistent with his off speed pitches.

The 6’8” righty held his own during his first Spring with the Cubs and made the Opening Day roster as the fourth starter in the rotation. Unfortunately for Volstad, he was not able hang onto the job, giving up 31 earned runs in his first seven starts. That led to his demotion to the minors to get some work. He returned for a spot start in July only to get shelled again. After the trading away of Ryan Dempster and Paul Maholm, Volstad returned to the Major League rotation again out of necessity. However, in his two starts he has shown improvement, notching a quality start each time and collecting his first Major League victory last night in over a year.

Epstein and Hoyer’s grade on Volstad borderlines on incomplete since the righty has only made 10 starts so far this season. Dumping Zambrano will always be viewed as the key in this trade, but the fact that the front office was able to get back a pitcher who could at worst contribute at the back end of the rotation for the next three seasons is the cherry on top.

Volstad figures to get the rest of this season to cement his place in the Cubs rotation plans for 2013 and beyond. He will not be a free agent until 2015 and he only earned $2.655 million this year, meaning he will also be an economical option as the Cubs continue to rebuild the organization from the ground up.

The one concern Cubs fans had was Zambrano suddenly shaping up and returning to All Star form with the change of scenery. Knowing that would have never happened with the Cubs was not much of a silver lining, but seeing that Zambrano has not been able to regain his dominate form just makes this trade look that much better. In fact, the Marlins ended up demoting him from the rotation to the bullpen just a couple weeks ago. Some things just don’t change?

2012 Grade: A-

2013 and Beyond Grade: B+