Doing what's best for the team.

Carlos Zambrano is a strange guy. And a good pitcher. For the Chicago Cubs. But he's a head case. Like so many Cubs players. He could be a much better pitcher. If ever he got his head together. Maybe he even could be the best pitcher in the National League. But Zambrano lets little things bother him. For instance, if a player makes an error behind him, that may be enough to throw him off his game. He gets upset easily. Anyway, so far this season, he has an excessively high earned run average. As a starting pitcher. So the Cubs have decided to make a relief pitcher of the well-paid Zambrano. The plan is to use him as a set-up man for the Cubs closer. Which means Zambrano most likely will come in to pitch the 8th inning. In other words, he'd make brief but more frequent appearances. Never pitching for more than an inning or two at a time. I think it's a smart move. One that's best for the team. Not necessarily for Zambrano's ego. He probably would rather be a starting pitcher. It's more prestigious. So Zambrano's ego may come into play here. We'll see. But I'm hoping Zambrano decides he'll do what's best for the team. By trying to become the best set-up man in baseball. --Jim Broede