Zambrano Melt Down On The Mound But Calm Afterwards

You half expected for Carlos Zambrano to have a melt down in the clubhouse after he had a melt down on the mound earlier. Zambrano came into a tie game Friday in his now customary 8th inning role and proceeded to give up four hits including a go ahead three run homer to Garrett Jones.

Zambrano just doesn't look comfortable in this relievers role but afterwards he was very calm in saying that he has accepted the change and is actually....happy. There was no lie detector attached to Zambrano to check the validity of his statements but, for now, you will have to take him for his word.

Lou Piniella says he has no choice but to keep Zambrano in this role because he hasn't had any right handed relievers be consistent for quite a spell. It seemed to be a not so veiled shot against upper management that hasn't given him what he needs to win.

Ultimately doesn't seem like it will work. Zambrano is saying the right things for now but you know he wants to be back in the starting rotation. And in order for the Cubs to win anything they will need Zambrano to either return to that rotation for their own purposes or to be able to trade him. Right now having him languish in the pen is doing nothing to justify that contract or help the team in the long run.