Cubs trade Carlos Zambrano to Miami

CHICAGO, Jan. 4 (UPI) -- The Chicago Cubs have traded volatile right-handed pitcher Carlos Zambrano to Miami for pitcher Chris Volstad, multiple reports indicated Wednesday.

Citing team sources, the Chicago Tribune and Chicago Sun-Times said the Cubs will pay most of the $18 million Zambrano is owed this season to entice the Marlins to take him off their hands.

In return, they will receive the right-handed Volstad, a former first-round draft choice who finished 5-13 last season after going 12-9 for the Marlins in the 2010 campaign.

The deal is set and awaiting the results of a physical exam to become official, the newspapers said.

With the Marlins, Zambrano will be united with former Chicago White Sox Manager Ozzie Guillen, a fellow Venezuelan with whom he is close friends.

Guillen left the White Sox and was named the Marlins' manager following the 2011 season.

Zambrano was subject to disciplinary moves and temperamental meltdowns during his 10 full years with the Cubs. He was placed on the disqualified list in August for leaving the team following an ejection.

Zambrano, 30, has compiled a 125-81 record with a 3.60 ERA in his tenure with Chicago, but his future with the team has come under question since Theo Epstein was hired as its new baseball chief.

"The Carlos Zambrano of 2011 and years previous can't fit into the culture that we have here," Epstein told WGN Radio Wednesday. "Change needs to happen and change will happen."