The Cubs avoided an arbitration hearing today with Big Z, as they signed him to a one-year deal worth 12.5 million dollars. Now, the last thing that is on Jim Hendry’s list of things to do is put a check mark next to his goal of signing Zambrano to a long term deal. Zambrano is looking for a deal around 5 years, probably worth around 15-17 million dollars a year… The fact that the two sides reached an agreement shows me that they are on the same page as negotiations go. If Zambrano gets signed to a long term deal this could possibly be the best offseason that the Cubs organization has ever had.