The Chicago Cubs locked down the final piece of the puzzle that is the 2006 team roster on Saturday in signing right handed pitcher Carlos Zambrano. With this deal in the books, the Cubs wrapped up their last player who was arbitration eligible and officially avoided an arbitration case of any kind for the 12th consecutive season.

The 24 year old Zambrano, who made $3.76 million in 2005, was signed for one season at $6.5 million (he was asking for $7.2 million). In Zambrano, the Cubs secured the services of a feisty competitor who has emerged as nothing less than the ace of a talented, young pitching staff. Zambrano is a durable player who wears his emotions on his sleeve. Some may question his hot headed antics, but there is no doubt that the passionate Zambrano is the kind of guy that you would want to have on your side in a fight. Carlos Zambrano wants to win and he will give you everything he's got to get the job done.

The 6'5', 700lb Zambrano (just kidding, he is listed at 255) has a career 48-35 record to go with a solid 3.26 era; not to shabby for a guy before turning 25. Zambrano's fast ball ranks up there with the top fire-ballers in the game, but his mastery of the sinker also makes him the perfect fit for the long grass and short power alleys of Wrigley field. Zambrano is a hungry, determined athlete entering what should be the prime of his career.

This season is also essentially a one year audition for Zambrano to prove himself and set his overall worth. Carlos is at the stage of his career where the big, multiyear, multi-million dollar is within his grasp. One more solid season all but assures him of a huge payday on major league baseball's open market.

A happy and productive Zambrano is vital to the Cubs chances for success in 2006. Pitching is going to have to be the backbone of the Cubs as the team strives to find an identity in the post-Sosa era. Zambrano has thrown over 200 innings for 3 consecutive seasons, and the Cubs will be counting on those kind of numbers once again. The 2006 Cubs will only go as far as their starting pitchers will take them. Along with Mr. Prior and Mr. Wood, I am happy to report that a great deal of that responsibility will once again fall on the broad shoulders of the guy that Dusty Baker calls Big Z.

Whether you are banking on his competitive nature, his physical gifts, his age, or his hunger for the big bucks, there are a number of reasons that Carlos Zambrano is due to have a strong 2006 season. I, for one, am expecting nothing less than the best season of Zambrano's young and promising career.