Cubs Dragging Their Feet on Zambrano

I'm baffled by the Chicago Cubs. After committing so many millions of dollars on players like Alfonso Soriano, they have failed to extend the contract for pitcher Carlos Zambrano, clearly the ace of their staff. One would think that getting Zambrano settled with a long-term deal would be a bigger priority this offseason. Zambrano has said he will walk if he and the Cubs cannot agree on a deal, and he will not negotiate when the season begins. He is also asking for a Barry Zito-type salary, somewhere around $15-18 million per year. The Cubs have already set a precedent by breaking the bank on Soriano and company, and waiting may only jack up Zambrano's price further. Zambrano is key to the Cubs' pitching staff this season. He is the only starter that can be counted on; everyone else is a question mark until proven otherwise. It seems to me that the Cubs are taking a big risk by not signing Zambrano as soon as they can.