The Phillies havea greed to a minor league contract - minor league contract – with Carlos Zambrano, formerly of the Chicago Cubs, Miami Marlins, Long Island Ducks, and anger management seminars.

Aug. 22, 2012; Phoenix, AZ, USA: Miami Marlins pitcher Carlos Zambrano against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

The 32-year-old right hander is known for his clubhouse-ripping demeanor, and for his starting pitching capabilities.  The Phillies are on the hunt for organizational depth at starting pitching, a statement deemed ludicrous when reported to Phillies fans from 2011.

It’s a move we’re becoming slowly accustomed to, and hopefully learning not to react to without reading – Remember Luis Castillo?  Hated him.  Phillies brought him in to fart around in spring training, then cut him loose.  Yuniesky Betancourt, Delmon Young; they’re all low cost, low risk fellows just looking for work and by their very presence provide depth.

Now, the Phillies have some vacancies in the rotation, and who knows what the future will bring.  Somebody’s go to go in there, and Zambrano, probably desperate the chance to get back into the majors, decided his verbal agreement with the Long Island Ducks was not worth the chance to play in an affiliated minor league system.

So, now we wait to see what hilarious cataclysms unfold to bring Zambrano to the mound in Citizens Bank Park.

Sept 2, 2012; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Marlins relief pitcher Carlos Zambrano (38) during the ninth inning against the New York Mets at Marlins Park. The Mets won 5-1. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

Ruben Amaro strongly protested rumors yesterday that this is something that has happened, yet.

Using the words “ridiculously premature” to describe the instance, Amaro not only nixed any reality of the situation, while simultaneously indicating that it might be something that he wanted to happen or is in the beginning stages of already happening.

Are the Phillies not interested in signing a pitcher at all yet?  Not interested in signing Zambrano specifically?  Or is Zambrano still picking out which pen he’ll use to sign a contract?  The status of the incident is all without context, giving us free range to wonder and cry.

The Phillies are looking for outside help as their pitching stuff crumbles into dust, and Amaro does not apparently see minor league call-ups Jonathan Pettibone and Tyler Cloyd as long term solutions.  Cloyd, it seems, will be sent back to Lehigh Valley in exchange for an extra relief pitcher on days he’s not needed.  An hour and a half bus ride every four days doesn’t exactly say “we believe in you.”

Zambrano last suited up for the Marlins during their 2012 World Series run that ended in early April, allowing 66 runs and 123 hits in 132 innings (20 starts).  He also played for Venezuela in this year’s World Baseball Classic.  He also had to leave baseball for a while once because of anger management issues.

Currently, the 31-year-old righty has signed with minor league independent titan Long Island Ducks, who’ve also employed Dontrelle Willis and Vladimir Guerrero this season.

His spastic stuff and unpredictable drama would be a welcome addition to a team flailing offensively, struggling with its pitching, and in general doing a great job of slogging through a tepid, sub-.500 season.