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LAS VEGAS -- Negotiations over Carlos Zambrano's contract extension heated up Friday with a face-to-face meeting between general manager Jim Hendry and the pitcher's agent, Barry Praver.

The two sides now appear close to consummating a deal by Zambrano's Opening Day deadline.

"We had a nice conversation, and everything's positive and on the upbeat," Hendry said. "Hopefully we'll be able to come together."

The parameters of the deal have been discussed, with both sides agreeing to five years. How far apart they are on the total package is unknown, though the Cubs' offer is expected to be under Barry Zito's $18 million-per-season range.

Hendry's close relationship with Zambrano may be the key to getting the deal getting done. Zambrano apparently is willing to play for less money for the Cubs than he would receive on the open market, and his compromise during last month's arbitration proceedings proved the two sides aren't far apart.

"We went a little further down the line at the arbitration than we normally would have," Hendry said. "But I think a lot of good came out of that too. At the end of the day, there wasn't going to be any bad-mouthing in the courtroom, and he reiterated again how badly he wanted to be here."

Hendry re-signed Aramis Ramirez on Opening Day of the '05 season and gave Derrek Lee his $65 million extension at the start of last season. The Cubs are used to 11th-hour deals.

"It's getting harder and harder the last couple of years to get long multi-year deals because the pitching market has gone really high in free agency," Hendry said.

"Then there's the balance of what's a good, fair five-plus years for both sides. At what price is it a good move for Carlos not to explore free agency, and what's good for the club to keep him as long as we can."

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