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	Contract-extension talks between the Cubs and Carlos Zambrano are heating up in time for his Monday deadline. Heinz Kluetmeier/SI

Contract-extension talks between the Cubs and Carlos Zambrano are heating up just in time to make the ace pitcher sound somewhat optimistic that a deal could get done by the Monday deadline he has imposed.
-- Chicago Tribune

As Carlos Zambrano spoke about his contract negotiations Thursday at HoHoKam Park, a pacifier was perched on a shelf in his locker. Was somebody trying to tell Zambrano something?
-- Chicago Tribune

The Phillies reportedly have an interest in Toronto's Francisco Rosario, who is out of options and might not make the Blue Jays' final cut. The Cardinals supposedly are dangling veteran lefthander Ricardo Rincon.
-- Philadelphia Daily News

If George Steinbrenner names a replacement for his once presumed successor Steve Swindal, he will almost certainly look to his sons, Hank and Hal.
-- New York Times

Mets righthander Jon Adkins is most likely to be released or traded - he's out of options - and that leaves Chan Ho Park, Ambiorix Burgos and Lastings Milledge. The likely scenario is keeping Milledge and Park, which would allow them to option Burgos to the minors.
-- Newsday

Tigers lefthander Kenny Rogers will miss at least one start in the regular season because of "a fatigued arm," club president and general manager Dave Dombrowski said Thursday. However, a person familiar with the situation said that a club official informed him that Rogers has a blood clot.
-- Detroit Free Press

Pudge Rodriguez is entering the final year of his guaranteed four-year contract. The Tigers have an option on the contract for next season, and they have no obvious successor to him. It seems automatic that the club will exercise the option and have him catch next season -- and maybe into the season after that, when he could be passing Carlton Fisk for the most games caught all-time.
-- Detroit Free Press

Mark Prior said he has no choice but to go to Triple-A Iowa and try to fight his way back to the Cubs, calling himself just another "employee." During a 6---minute briefing, Prior called himself an "employee" several times, which would seem to suggest he doesn't believe he has a long-term future with the Cubs.
-- Chicago Tribune

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