MESA, Ariz. -- Cubs pitcher Carlos Zambrano said he expects to reach some sort of agreement before Tuesday's scheduled arbitration hearing in Phoenix.

Zambrano said on Monday that he talked to Cubs general manager Jim Hendry, and was to meet later in the day with his agent, Barry Praver.

"I spoke to Jim earlier today and he told me, 'Don't worry about anything,'" Zambrano said. "We will get some agreement. I don't think we'll go to the trial tomorrow."

The trial is actually a hearing in front of an independent arbitrator. Zambrano, who made $6.5 million in '06, is seeking $15.5 million. The Cubs countered with an offer of $11.025 million.

Zambrano was 16-7 with a 3.41 ERA in 33 starts last season. He will be a free agent after this year, but he's expressed an interest in staying with the Cubs.

"I would say it's 85 to 90 percent that we don't go to arbitration," Zambrano said. "We'll see it on the news [Tuesday] morning hopefully."

The Cubs will likely reach an agreement on a one-year deal now and avoid the hearing, and could come to terms on a multiyear deal before Opening Day. Zambrano said he hasn't been losing any sleep over the negotiations.

"One time I told my agent, two years ago, 'I do my job and you do your job,'" Zambrano said. "It's in my agent's hands and Jim Hendry's hands."

The Cubs have not gone to arbitration with a player since 1993 when Mark Grace lost his case.