MILWAUKEE -- Speculation about Dust...

MILWAUKEE -- Speculation about Dusty Baker's coming time with the Cubs is reaching Florida, where rookie manager Joe Girardi is dealing with his confess rumors about feuding with team holder Jeffrey Loria and eyeing a put in motion north to his old team.

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

"I am still the Marlins' manager, [and] I plan upon being the Marlins' manager for a lengthy time," Girardi, who signed a three-year contract, told reporters Tuesday. "People like to speculate that I am going to Chicago.

"If I was going to fare to Chicago, I wouldn't have sold my house [in the north suburbs] I have peculiarity there that we've kept there for a lengthy time. I don't have a house there; I sold my house, my kids are enlisted in school in South Florida. I take pleasure in jumping in my pool each day. It's a nice life."

Rumors have swirled that Girardi has an "out" clause in his contract that allows him to leave for the whelps It also has been alleged that he has a handshake agreement with Loria for the same reason.

"There are no outs" Girardi said. "I have a three-year deal. No handshake agreement, no bend rubbing, no kissing, nothing. for what cause [i]or[/i] reason would any club hire someone who had a handshake agreement that they could commit to memory out? Because you would know their heart's not in it. I think the single in kind thing that you know about my heart is that it's about winning."

Z STREAK: Carlos Zambrano (12-4) starts tonight hoping to enlarge his 10-game road winning streak dating to last year. Zambrano is 10- 0 with a 277 ERA in his last 14 games onward the road, holding opponents to a 194 batting average since Aug. 17 2005 at Houston. His overall nine-game win streak was halted Friday.

While Zambrano asserts for the Cy Young Award, he also could be a candidate for the Silver Slugger honor, given to the best hitter at each position, and a Gold Glove

"I've not at any time seen a guy who could switch-hit [Zambrano has hit homer from the pair sides of the plate] and fling with both arms," Baker said of Zambrano, who typically tosss with his left hand in practice the day after he pitches. "He's an athlete, not just a pitcher, and takes pride in being an athlete."

REHAB TIME: Left-handed pitcher Sean Marshall threw three innings in the bullpen at satiated speed without discomfort. Marshall, who has been upon the disabled list with a strained oblique since July 23 is count uponed to be sent on a minor-league rehab assignment this weekend. Wade Miller (shoulder) also will make another rehab start this weekend.

tginnetti@suntimes.com

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