Zambrano signs extension

Maybe it's the team or maybe it's the position. Either way, I'm terrified for the upcoming five/six years of Carlos Zambrano's future. Today, the 17th of August, Zambrano and the Cubs agreed to a five year deal worth 91.5 million dollars with an option for a sixth year worth 19.5 million dollars. This contract is the largest average salary for a pitcher ever (which might not be the case when soon-to-be-free agent Johan Santana signs this offseason), and it is the largest average salary in Cubs history (surpassing Alfonso Soriano's deal). Most fans in other cities would view locking up Zambrano as a great event for their team. But not Cubs fans. With the arm troubles of Kerry Wood and Mark Prior, there's good reason to be pessimistic. There are other factors besides Prior and Wood that make me nervous about the gigantic sum of money being given to the Cubs' ace. The first reason I'm nervous is Zambrano's tempermant. Is he crazy, or just really fired up? Zambrano spiking his helmet after making an out and breaking his bat over his knee following a strike out can be spun in either direction. One arguement is that he sees the opportunity to make up games on the Brewers disappearing because of his performance and he is frustrated, and breaking the bat or throwing down his helmet is a way of venting his frustration. The second train of thought, and the way I usually view Zambrano's actions, is that he is a nut case who is going to break his knee cap trying to break his bat, go Jack Nicholson on someone's car after a bad outing, or beat up another teammate when Zambrano's having one of his moments. If Zambrano is indeed crazy, logic says that he can't be trusted with a lot of money. Exhibit A: Mike Tyson. But I, like everyone not around the team, have no idea whether Zambrano is crazy, or just extremely passionate about the game. But I guess we will have five more years to answer this question. The second reason I'm nervous is from the recent stretch that Zambrano has been absolutely terrible in the most important time of the year for the Cubs. Zambrano seems to have stretches where he just doesn't have his "stuff" and looks pedestrian. Being inconsistent is a tough thing to be as the highest paid pitcher in the league and someone the team counts on to give a quality start every fifth day. The third reason to be terrified is the decrease in velocity that Zambrano has shown this year. Back in 2003, the year that Bartman unfairly received all the blame for the Cubs' collapse, Zambrano would routinely hit 98 on the gun with his fastball. But in his last couple starts the hardest that I've seen Zambrano throw is 93. Now, it must be realized that he is four years older now, and there will be some natural loss of velocity. But once again, I'm a Cubs fan, and this is our nature. After listing these three reasons why the Zambrano resigning could be a bad decision, I hope to be wrong. Truth be told, Zambrano is in the running for the National League Cy Young award every year, and he is a talent that the Cubs could not let go onto the free agent market. I just hope that Zambrano earns his money for the next five years, settles down, and leads the Cubs to a World Series victory as the ace of the staff.