Carlos Zambrano(notes) is set to return to his Venezeulan team this weekend after being hit in the face by a line drive on November 18th. Zambrano required ten stiches to repair a cut on his face. However, most of us Chicago Cubs fan have little-to-no-interest in what’s going on in baseball in Venezuela. What we’re really concerned about is whether or not Zambrano will be pitching in the Windy City in 2012. Honestly, I don’t know whether or not I want him back.

All of Zambrano’s tantrums over the years have been well documented. The said tantrums culminated with his outburst late last season when he cleaned out his locker and announced his retirement following a poor performance. It was just the last straw in a laundry list of outbursts that are more liken to a 10-year old losing a game to his brother than a professional athlete. The speculation has been growing as to whether or not Zambrano would be back with the Cubs, or if he’d even be allowed back.

Shortly after Theo Epstein’s takeover as the president of baseball operations for the Cubs, he said that Zambrano would have to earn his way back on to the team. Though, he also said that it was possible.

Generally speaking, I’m fed up with Zambrano’s antics. I’ve heard for too long his enormous “upside” when he’s on and level-headed. Yes, he has the ability to be a great pitcher. We’ve seen it happen. That being said, teams shouldn’t put up with those outbursts from anyone, much less from someone that isn’t producing. Having a “potential upside” isn’t the same as having an upside.

If it were just about any other year, I’d give Big Z the ‘ol heave-ho and be on my merry way. However, the Cubs are in fairly dire need of starting pitching. The Cubs rotation will be question mark-ridden with Zambrano, nevermind without. All that being said, I think I’d attempt to trade Zambrano while he still has some trade value. Given he only has one year left on his contract with the Cubs, I doubt he’ll be back anyway. The Cubs might as well get something for him.

Brian is lifelong Chicago Cubs fan, having lived in Illinois his entire life and having followed Major League Baseball throughout.

Sources

Zambrano Set To Pitch Saturday

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Read More: Matt Garza (P – CHC), Carlos Zambrano (P – CHC), Ryan Dempster (P – CHC), Mark Buehrle (P – CWS), Randy Wells (P – CHC), Chicago White Sox, Chicago Cubs

It’s unclear exactly how the Chicago Cubs are going to approach this offseason yet under the new front office led by Theo Epstein, but they’ve already had multiple discussions with the agent for former White Sox pitcher Mark Buehrle. According to Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports, the team has spoken with Jeff Berry, Buehrle’s agent, multiple times recently.

If the money is right, Buehrle would certainly be a fit for the Cubs given their need for pitching. It’s unclear how much Carlos Zambrano will be able to contribute next season, if at all, so they really only have three established starters right now in Ryan Dempster, Matt Garza and Randy Wells.

Buehrle would give them a dependable lefty and a steady veteran presence, although the team should be worried about how his contact-oriented approach would work against a defense that was pretty bad last season. There’s a chance that the move from the more difficult American League to the National League would alleviate some of those concerns, though, especially for someone with such a long track record.

For more updates on the hot stove, stay tuned to SB Nation Chicago. For more on the White Sox, check out Bleed Cubbie Blue, SB Nation’s Chicago Cubs blog. And for news from around major league baseball, visit Baseball Nation.

Will Carlos Zambrano be part of the rebuilding plan for the Chicago Cubs? That may be one of the first key decisions for Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer.

Zambrano and Epstein have reportedly met face-to-face on November 14, 2011. Epstein was apparently convinced that Zambrano should be given another opportunity to earn his way back onto the 25-man roster and starting rotation for spring training. Epstein referred to this as a “Trust-but-verify” situation as he recognizes that Zambrano has failed to control his temper in the past.

I can understand the “Wait-and-see” approach from Epstein’s point-of-view. The Cubs would probably have to pay the majority of his $18-milllion salary even if they did trade him. I can respect Epstein wanting to get a first-hand view of the current talent on the roster for the 2012 MLB season.

Zambrano had the worst year of his 10-year career in 2011. While he was 9-7, Zambrano finished with a 4.82 ERA and 1.44 WHIP. His season was abruptly ended after he was placed on the disqualified list and informed that he shouldn’t return after his faux-retirement fiasco. Shortly thereafter, Tom Ricketts had stated that he didn’t believe that Zambrano would return in 2012.

Now if Zambrano wants to remain beyond 2012? He must improve his attitude and performance. One of the biggest reasons that I wanted Zambrano gone by 2012 is because I wanted a cultural change. I’m afraid that Zambrano’s temper will be a negative in that agenda. However, I also want to be patient with Epstein. He probably hasn’t seen much of Zambrano since Epstein’s from the American League. He might not want to make any hasty decisions on player transactions until he becomes more knowledgeable of the current players.

Zambrano should be motivated to be on his best behavior in 2012. He reportedly has a vesting players option for $19.4 million in 2013 if he finishes in the top four of the Cy Young award voting. Since he’ll be 31 after next season, Zambrano could also be playing for the last big payday of his career.

Joshua Huffman grew up in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula as a Green Bay Packers and Chicago Cubs enthusiast. He immediately gained an admiration for Cubs fans after watching numerous games on WGN during the mid 1990s. His favorite Cubs moment was Kerry Wood’s(notes) 1-hitter, 20K extravaganza that was only denied of a no-hitter by Kevin Orie’s defensive blunder. As a Packers and Cubs fan, he suffered through Steve Bartman and “4th & 26″ in a span of three months.

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Read More: Carlos Zambrano (P – CHC), Kansas City Royals, Florida Marlins, Chicago Cubs

Nick Collias of MLB Trade Rumors is reporting Chicago Cubs right hander Carlos Zambrano spoke with the Venezuelan media about meeting with new Cubs exec Theo Epstein:

[The meeting with Epstein will] be quick – to meet each other. Talk in person. That’s very important. I’d like to build a relationship from scratch with the new GM. Erase everything and start over.

Carlos Zambrano, who has had previous non-performance-related issues with the Cubs (including a smashed Gatorade machine and a brief in-season retirement), struggled on the field last year too, posting a career high ERA (4.82) and FIP (4.59):

Carlos Zambrano Stats

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Epstein, the new Cubs President of Baseball Operations, has previously suggested the Cubs may explore keeping Zambrano at least one more year as the team looks to rebuild, so Zambrano’s comments may suggest mutual interest in the possibility.

If the reunion does not go through, however, the Kansas City Royals and Miami Marlins have already expressed interest in trading for Zambrano — at a considerable discount.

For more breaking news on the Chicago Cubs 2012 Hot Stove, stay tuned to SB Nation Chicago.

If the Chicago Cubs were to hire Dale Sveum as manager, would free-agent slugger Prince Fielder be far behind?

Sveum, the Milwaukee Brewers’ hitting coach, is a leading candidate for the manager job with the Cubs and the Boston Red Sox.

And Sveum has a very good relationship with first baseman Fielder, who is about to leave the Brewers, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

“Whoever gets (Fielder) gets one heck of a player and one heck of a guy,” Sveum told reporters after interviewing for the Cubs job.

He said Fielder is a leader who comes to play every day. In other words, he’s a Prince of a guy.

Fielder, 27, is expected to command an eight-year contract worth more than the $180 million the New York Yankees gave to Mark Teixeira in 2009.

MARLINS MOVE ON REYES

The Florida Marlins, setting the early pace with an aggressive approach to free agency, will meet with free-agent shortstop Jose Reyes Wednesday, SI.com reported Tuesday.

Reyes, 28, hit .337 with seven homers and 44 RBI in only 126 games with the New York Mets in 2011.

The Marlins also are talking with pitcher Mark Buehrle, former ace of the Chicago White Sox.

There are mixed reports about the Milwaukee Brewers’ interest in Reyes. They may be targeting the shortstop because they have little chance of re-signing Fielder, but they are also concerned about Reyes’ tendency to get hurt.

The Detroit Tigers reportedly are mulling whether to enter the Reyes sweepstakes.

FRANCONA IN THE CARDS?

Former Boston Red Sox manager Terry Francona was interviewed Tuesday by the St. Louis Cardinals to replace the retired Tony La Russa.

“We just had a dialogue,” Francona told the Post Dispatch. “I enjoy talking about baseball — a lot. Without going into details, we discussed pretty basic philosophy. I’d call it an enjoyable, casual conversation.”

Francona also is thought to be a candidate for the Chicago Cubs’ managerial vacancy but wouldn’t confirm it, saying it was “kind of private.”

ORIOLES BOSS NEEDS TO BE SHARP

Dan Duquette has been away from Major League Baseball since 2002.

In a sense, the Baltimore Orioles have been away since 1997.

The Orioles introduced Duquette Tuesday as executive vice-president of baseball operations. It’s his first big-league job since being fired nine years ago as Boston Red Sox general manager, soon after new ownership took over.

Duquette was the Montreal Expos GM from September 1991 through January 1994 before going to Boston.

The 53-year-old will have his hands full rebuilding the Orioles — they have had 14 consecutive losing seasons.

“I’m here to build a contending team that everyone in Baltimore can be proud of,” Duquette told the Baltimore Sun. “I’ve kept my skills sharp … I’ve maintained my contacts. My focus is going to be sharper (after being away from the game).”

Duquette has been running a sports academy in Massachusetts.

INTEREST IN ZAMBRANO

The Kansas City Royals are among the teams interested in suspended/semi-retired pitcher Carlos Zambrano.

Zambrano bolted the Cubs locker room early on Aug. 12 and told some people he was retiring. The Cubs suspended him and are likely to do what they can to get rid of his $19-million salary for 2012, including paying part of it.

“We would have to be interested … Carlos Zambrano is a heckuva competitor,” Royals GM Dayton Moore told CSNChicago.com. “Carlos Zambrano has had a lot of success in the major leagues. (He) is actually a very pleasant, easy going, classy person off the field. Sometimes, as with all of us the competitiveness takes over and brings out qualities in us that we are not proud of.”

Zambrano, 30, is a three-time all-star with a career record of 125-81 record.

CLEMENS’ FEE BID OPPOSED

Federal prosecutors urged a judge Tuesday to reject Roger Clemens’ request that the U.S. government pay some of his legal fees and costs, stemming from a prosecution mistake that caused a mistrial in his steroids case.

In July, the judge declared a mistrial because prosecutors mistakenly played a video clip that included inadmissible evidence.

Clemens had been charged with perjury, making false statements and obstruction over testimony to Congress in 2008 when he denied ever taking steroids and human growth hormones during his pitching career. He has pleaded not guilty and faces a new trial in April.

Prosecutors said legal fees may be awarded only if there had been a finding of “sanctionable misconduct that is tantamount to bad faith.”