Cubs re-sign two players

The Cubs avoided arbitration this week by signing one-year extensions with Carlos Zambrano and Aramis Ramirez. Now Jim Hendry will get working on a new deal for Ramirez, hoping to tie him up through 2007 or '08. Otherwise, he would be eligible for free agency at the end of the season. The Cubs will have the highest payroll in the National League this year with a total of approximately $104 million.