Girardi denies rumors he wants to flee from Florida

MILWAUKEE -- Speculation about Dusty Baker's future with the Cubsis reaching Florida, where rookie manager Joe Girardi is dealing withhis own rumors about feuding with team owner Jeffrey Loria and eyeinga move north to his old team.

Girardi tried to quell the rumors Tuesday before the Marlins' 4-2victory over the Washington Nationals.

"I am still the Marlins' manager, [and] I plan on being theMarlins' manager for a long time," Girardi, who signed a three-yearcontract, told reporters Tuesday. "People like to speculate that I amgoing to Chicago.

"If I was going to go to Chicago, I wouldn't have sold my house[in the north suburbs]. I have property there that we've kept therefor a long time. I don't have a house there; I sold my house, my kidsare enrolled in school in South Florida. I enjoy jumping in my poolevery day. It's a nice life."

Rumors have swirled that Girardi has an "out" clause in hiscontract that allows him to leave for the Cubs. It also has beenalleged that he has a handshake agreement with Loria for the samereason.

"There are no outs," Girardi said. "I have a three-year deal. Nohandshake agreement, no elbow rubbing, no kissing, nothing. Why wouldany club hire someone who had a handshake agreement that they couldget out? Because you would know their heart's not in it. I think theone thing that you know about my heart is that it's about winning."

Z STREAK: Carlos Zambrano (12-4) starts tonight hoping to extendhis 10-game road winning streak dating to last year. Zambrano is 10-0 with a 2.77 ERA in his last 14 games on the road, holding opponentsto a .194 batting average since Aug. 17, 2005, at Houston. Hisoverall nine-game win streak was halted Friday.

While Zambrano contends for the Cy Young Award, he also could be acandidate for the Silver Slugger honor, given to the best hitter atevery position, and a Gold Glove.

"I've never seen a guy who could switch-hit [Zambrano has hithomers from both sides of the plate] and throw with both arms," Bakersaid of Zambrano, who typically throws with his left hand in practicethe day after he pitches. "He's an athlete, not just a pitcher, andtakes pride in being an athlete."

REHAB TIME: Left-handed pitcher Sean Marshall threw three inningsin the bullpen at full speed without discomfort. Marshall, who hasbeen on the disabled list with a strained oblique since July 23, isexpected to be sent on a minor-league rehab assignment this weekend.Wade Miller (shoulder) also will make another rehab start thisweekend.

tginnetti@suntimes.com