If not before... I agree. However, with Boras as his agent (if he is still z's agent) I'm thinking talks won't start until after Zito is signed. Just my 2 cents. Either way, I expect Hendry to get him signed. Hendry seems to be playing with monopoly money this year. Hendry will sign him or be prepared to lose him. Hendry takes pride in that he has never actually had to exchange figures with a player. Instead, he signs them first. The trick is will it be a 1-year deal or a long term deal? That I can't answer with as much certainty. My guess is that Zambrano's contract will follow the same path that Wood, Lee, and Ramirez went before him. A one-year deal will be signed right before the arbitration deadline followed by an extension worked out in spring training. i hope so. :?