"Cubs president Theo Epstein said he wasn't trying to make a particular point when he traded Carlos Zambrano to the Miami Marlins for a choirboy this week.

"You don't have to be a choirboy to be accepted into the Cubs' clubhouse,'' Epstein said after the trade became official Thursday.

But in making what promises to be the signature move of his first winter with the Cubs, Epstein also crafted a poetic ending to Zambrano's story in Chicago, whether he likes it or not.

At the very least, the trade for pitcher — and former high school choirboy — Chris Volstad underscores how committed Epstein is to some of the changes he vowed to make when he took over baseball operations in October."