Great to get back from a late night flight to find out that Zambrano finally blew his head. He's been losing it for about 3 years now, so why not. I'm too tired to think of a solution. I say he either improves his attitude or ship him off. I think that would really send a message. Imagine if we had signed him to 6 years at 15 million a year. I'll get up and find out what Lou has done to deal with it.

To be honest baron...i cant name a better player if you are looking for an inconsistent ready to blow up hot head on the mound. I dont have a problem with Z getting pumped when he makes a big pitch, unfortunately he hasnt made any big pitches so he has to get pumped at his own team....lets face it...i truly believe there may be something wrong with his arm and he may be on the downside of his career even though he is young (most power pitchers are much better young)....i have not seen him throw a pitch by anyone this year...actually i have hardly seen him strike anyone out....he has been our fourth best starter behind hill, marquis, and lilly.....maybe we have to face that he is no longer our ace......oh, btw, he has the highest home era of anyone in the bigs....now who is laughing about trading him baron???? - NOT ME!

Trade Big Z -- what a laugh!

Outside of Lee, A-Ram and Maybe Theriot, Can anyone name a better player on the roster?

I...have..nothing to say..I just dont know...Thanks for the info Neil, everyone.

Matt...I will have the recap and links up soon...sorry for the delay, a lot has happened.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_O64BqGsVwM

Agustin, well said...they were both stupid.

Not that this makes a diference but I have reviewed the video over and over on espn.com and it looks like Barret was going to grab Zambrano. Anyway Z started the yelling and came at Barret so they are both so stupid.

Something like this either causes a team to jell (think dysfunctional teams like the Rodman/Jordan Bulls) or it causes everything to go to hell (think Artest/Crawford era Bulls with Artest throwing gym equipment around during a losing season).

This whole thing gives me an uneasy feeling, so, unfortunately, I don't think it will turn out to be a good thing.

We all need to catch our breaths, though, and realize you don't immediately trade the stud pitcher because he gets in fight with the mediocre/bad catcher.

Trade Barrett, fine.

Trade Jones, even better.

Trade Eyre...uhhh...I don't know yet.

Trade Zambrano? Better get something special in return.

Can we get ARod? Maybe...since he played with Piniella, but if I am the Yankees, I need more than Zambrano. Zambrano, Jones, Eyre, pitching prospect...for ARod? Maybe...but I doubt it.

Figuring Pie as the CF of the future, here is where we need help: C, SS, or 2B. Theriot/DeRosa may combine to fill one position, but combined they aren't going to set the world on fire. Who can you get for a trade at the Catcher spot? Nobody, probably...best hope a rookie from the farm can do a decent job, until Blanco is healthy...but do you want a season of Blanco? The pitching would improve, but oftentimes he is no better than the pitcher in the lineup!

Who takes Z's place in the rotation...Prior, Miller, or Wood? Seriously...are we back to having Marshall and Marmol in the rotation already? We would have an ace-less rotation.

I have a feeling nothing will happen...Hendry doesn't get rid of players unless he feels like he fooled the other organization, and right now, the other GM's are chomping at the bit, assuming Hendry is in panic mode, so Hendry has no leverage.

If we do make a move, it may make things worse...

If we don't make a move, things may get worse anyway...

Damned if we do, damned if we don't. If you are new here, let me be the first to welcome you to the sorry state of life as a Cubs fan.

So be careful trading your players, unless you get a usable, and good, piece in return!

Someone, CCO? I was at work and have decided to quit taping Cub games...Apparently alot happened today! Could someone fill me in??

I think Barrett was going towards Z to give him a pat on the side to make things better... kinda to difuse the situation. Big Z took it as offensive and tried to throw a punch. I think Barrett was an idiot to go back into the clubhouse, but we can't assume that it was 'for more'...maybe he wanted to talk to Z. Still, it was a bad decision and he needs to be slapped. Z needs to have a punching bag before, after, and inbetween innings that he can punch. I actually don't mind his crazyness because it brings passion into the game...he likes to win and he wants to win... everyone at this level should. Of course, it's up to managers and players to keep the cool and make sure that their 'passion' doesn't boil over into this awful spectacle. Not good for kids watching and definitely not good for my health.

Barrett really did go to the clubhouse and continue his fight with zambrano and then had to go to the hospital to get his lip looked at....they are even saying it on cubs.com....it also says lou will discipline the two players which he should - i feel they should even be fined!

Still in shock. If Barret went to the clubhouse for more, he should also get therapy with another team’s psychiatrist. I hate to say this but one thing is certain to me...Zambrano is not a good teammate and even though I admire his passion he takes it out on the people that are good or close to him. This has no rewind or possible amendment. It is like cheating, once you brake that barrier you can never be normal again. I once read an interview [Carrie Muskat I belive] with Zambrano that said he had to argue or be angry to somebody at his family before a start. That they knew better than to talk to him that day because they could get it from him. How nuts can that be? He should be taking his anger to the mound and converting it into fuel to take it out on the contrary team. But no, he shows how tough he can be and go pointing fingers to teammates when he should take a good look in the mirror. I have never blamed Rothschild for anything, but Zambrano’s attitude should have been taken care off by him and Dusty. Plain and simple the issue has never been taken care of because of how good he is. Guess what? He just told the team that he does not care for any of them, just his ego as he tried to let Barret feel responsible for his poor performance. Barret on the other hand seems to be a very good teammate but is of little value to this team because he can’t catch. He works hard, has passion but is just not enough.

I feel sorry for the team right now but this could be important to turn this shit around. As much as I like them, there is no place for this in a team. Zambrano is special but he thinks he is bigger than the game and he has completely proved the opposite this season. When a team or a family goes through tough times they have to come together and become stronger by fighting together. They both have to go.

And please Piniella has nothing to do with this, so don’t be asking for his head.

the last thing the Cubs need is attitude problems on a struggling team. Get rid of Jones (poor body language in general), Big Z, and Barrett, and throw in Eyre/Howry, and I think you'll get decent return. That'd still leave us with a decent core of ARAM, Soriano, Lee, Floyd/Murton, Theriot, and DeRosa, and a rotation that'd include Lilly, Marquis, Hill, Marshall, and possibly either Marmol or Guzman. That wouldn't be all that bad. Maybe we could steal AROD and someone else for Z and Eyre/Howry.

I'm sick of this losing and it's wearing on my patience as a loyal, lifelong fan...it really is. I can handle losing to some extent year after year, but when you add embarrassment like that, poor baserunning, mental errors, etc., it looks poorly on us as fans too----how can you be a fan of complete and utter crap!?!?!?!

Anyway, that's all I want to say. Hendry, I think, is prepped for a trade very soon, and I think it will be beneficial to everyone involved if Z is gone (and gone very very soon, before everyone figures out he has arm problems), Barrett, and Jones. I think those 3 just need a change of scenery. Big Z already stated he hates losing, and was sick of the Cubs losing ways last offseason, so do you actually think he'll re-sign anyway at this rate? A catching tandem of Koyie Hill and Jake Fox wouldn't be the worst think in the world, by the way, so this actually makes a lot of sense. You trade Jones as Thomas suggested in "down on the farm", and bring up Pie. I'm am absolutely positive a trade of Z, Barrett, and Jones would bring you decent value...ie-bullpen help, prospects, and possibly AROD. It just makes sense to do it, and I hope this was the catalyst to get the wheels spinning for Hendry. Look, we're already 7 out of it, and close to our record last year, so something needs to give.

peace all...let's hope something happens good tomorrow

Fox....

Jake Fox is not on the 40-man roster, Geovany Soto is. Piniella said in his press conference both players will be disciplined on Saturday. Bruce Levine is saying "mouth injuries" and there is speculation about Barrett's jaw....the key word there is speculation.

I saw a different angle from TBS and it looked to me that Barrett was going to push Zambrano and Z took action first. Zambrano was going to be removed but Barrett was going to stay in the game but Barrett went into the clubhouse without the coaches knowing what was going on....Piniella and Rothschild had to separate the two in the clubhouse.

Jim...you took the words out of my mouth.

Hey at least they showed a pulse. Anyone know if Jake Fox is on the 40 man roster or not. With Hank on the DL and Michael's mouth being F-ed up it might be his time to shine. It's so nice coming home from work and seeing this garbage. Brian I think it's time to take that kool-aid glass, drink half, then fill the remainder with the cheapest vodka you can find. It might help, if only for a minute.

If the cubs dont trade Zambrano there is something wrong with them....i have thought all along that they would let barrett walk after the season but i have also believed they should trade zambrano...i am sick of his big head and his temper tantrums getting in the way....We would be much better off letting a consistent pitcher go out every fifth day and getting something for out supposed "stud" pitcher!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BIG Z!!!!!

I'm done with both of them. I hope MLB and the Cubs come down hard on both of them.

Bruce Levine and ESPN 1000 in Chicago are reporting Michael Barrett is at a local hospital with mouth "injuries". There was a round two in the clubhouse, Barrett was bleeding according to several reports.

I wonder if Dusty misses his old job?

Dear New Owner of the Chicago Cubs,

BACK UP THE TRUCK!!! Including management!

I am done. I threw away my kool-aid and turned in my card, good luck boys.

Now would be the time to trade Zambrano and Barrett...go with Blanco everyday and get a young starter and relief help.

Now would be the time to trade Zambrano and Barrett...go with Blanco everyday and get a young starter and relief help.

This may be the most pathetic display I have ever seen. You have got to be kidding me.

I want to know one thing Do you beleive the quote your pitcher is as good as your piching coach? , I think you should of fired the pitching coach when you fired Dusty Baker. How do you know the pitching coach does not hold a bad feeling about the firing of Dusty If you don't fire the pitching coach, then fire the whole lot of them. the whole coaching staff The season is still early, You got to do something, its not about a bad streak, if you think that, Your going to have a long season ?

Big Z let his emotions boil over once again. Bye Bye Big Z and Barrett nice having you as Cubs I gurantee this won't sit with Lou very well.

THIS IS RIDICULOUS....i cant take much more really and now we are fighting each other in the dugout ??? what is goin on with these cubs ??

Big Z needs to stop blaming everyone else and look in the mirror.

I am speechless....

Who thought we had hit rock bottom yesterday better think twice. This is sad and what a reality check. Big Z took his frustration out on Barret who is as frustrated as him. Atleast something will happen now.

I follow this team so much that Affects me and hate to see teammates fight.

On a positive note: thiswas the boling point. Can't get much worse.

Trade Big Z for quality talent now! We can't afford to give him a huge contract at the end of the year if he's truly not the ace of the staff, which to this point in the season he has proven he's not. Get some major talent in return.

Not too sure if anyone else just saw that but we have hit a new low this season. Zambrano walked off the mound after giving up five runs, and had a heated argument with Barrett. Z was pointing to his head and and one point said if I am good at lip reading, "What the F were you thinking." Then unfortunatley the mouths stopped moving and the fists started flying. Barrett and Z were fighting in the dugout. Sean Marshall was right in the middle, and had no chance of breaking it up. Rothchild and D-Lee had to pull Z off of Barrett. I am sure you will see it all over the sports wire. Unreal, makes me sick.

I can hear Big Z's temper-tantrum from here in oklahoma. What the heck is going on up there. Are we destined this year for anything and everything to go wrong...I can also hear the Barrett Boo's as well

What a joke!

Thanks agustin. It just said field error on matt murton on mlb.com so I didn't know what happened.

Jeff, DeRosa had called it, Murton called him off and the ball hit his glove but dropped and the run scored.

Anyone out there please describe WTF happened on Murton's error?

man on second, one out, top of order = no runs. man we gotta take advantage of that.

After the Double play I was worried because that is when the Cub's pitchers relax and forget to finish the innings and get scored upon. Nice to see Zambrano get AJones to pop up.

Cervical Herniated disc? Will that take longer than the 15 day DL to recover from??

Same here nick. That should be our lineup...but with Pie or Ichiro?

Gotta quit letting the lead off batter get on.

I like the lineup, the only thing I would change would be Pie for Jones.

Good job by Z pitching around the leadoff double

Not a good start.

Today's lineup....so much for Blanco being Z's catcher

Soriano - LF

Theriot - SS

Lee - 1B

Ramirez - 3B

Murton - RF

Barrett - C

Jones - CF

DeRosa - 2B

Zambrano - P

Not to state the obvious here. To prove to us the fans and the team this is a HUGE week to play good baseball teams and get back in the hunt. Go Cubs