Zito is a Giant accord to reports!!!

[ticklingfeet4fu]

NEW YORK (AP) -- Barry Zito and the San Francisco Giants reached a preliminary agreement on the largest contract for a pitcher in baseball history, a $126 million, seven-year deal.

While there was no immediate confirmation from the Giants, details of the contract were provided Thursday to The Associated Press by two persons familiar with the negotiations who spoke on condition of anonymity because the deal wasn't announced by the team.


Zito's agreement, reached late Wednesday night, includes an $18 million option for 2014 that could increase the value to $144 million. The option would become guaranteed if Zito pitches 200 innings in 2013, 400 combined over 2012 and 2013 or 600 combined from 2011-13.

Zito is scheduled to have a physical Friday, and the Giants planned to announce their agreement with the three-time All-Star later in the day. His decision to sign with the Giants first was reported on MLB.com.

Zito's deal ties for the sixth largest overall, matching the $126 million, seven-year extension agreed to this month by Toronto and center fielder Vernon Wells. Previously, the largest contract for a pitcher was Mike Hampton's $121 million, eight-year deal with the Colorado Rockies before the 2001 season.

Texas, Seattle and the New York Mets also pursued Zito, the top available pitcher on the free-agent market. The 28-year-old left-hander spent the last seven seasons across San Francisco Bay pitching with the Oakland Athletics, and staying in the area appeared to be a factor in his decision.

Zito has been among the most durable pitchers in the majors, making 34 or more starts and throwing 210 or more innings in six straight seasons.

He was 16-10 with a 3.83 ERA last season and has a 102-63 career record with a 3.55 ERA. Zito won the 2002 AL Cy Young Award after going 23-5.

As part of his agreement with the Giants, Zito will fund the construction of youth fields in the San Francisco area through his foundation.

Only Alex Rodriguez ($252 million), Derek Jeter ($189 million), Manny Ramirez ($160 million), Todd Helton ($141.5 million) and Alfonso Soriano ($136 million) have contracts with more guaranteed money.

Zito's is the 14th $100 million deal in baseball history and the fourth of the offseason following agreements by Soriano (Cubs), Wells and Carlos Lee ($100 million with Houston).

New York's initial offer was for about $75 million over five years, and the Mets were prepared to go somewhat higher in average salary but were wary of offering a longer deal. Texas had told Zito's agent, Barry Zito, that it would withdraw its proposal if it wasn't accepted by the end of the week.



To me, another player that goes for the money and will be a big time loser!!! Like A-Rod he WILL NEVER WIN!!! Why??? Someone has to find out when the last time the San Francisco Giants won a World Series??? I'll make it easy for you. NEVER!!! The Giants organization has not won anything since 1954 when they were the New York Giants. That is their only World Series victory since 1933. That means only one World Championship in 73 years. Now he get to join Barriod and maybe Barriod can teach him to shoot up like he does. Certainly, we already know they are loser!!!

 

[milagros317]

I thank you for your opinion of the hated jints' organization, which has indeed not won the World Series since 1954. 😀

 

[Angel_2]

I am very happy Omar didn't over spend on Zito 7yrs at 126 million is too much, While Zito is in SF the Mets will be in the WS winning a WS Title!

Let Go Mets!!!!

 

[unclebill]

At this stage of his career Zito is no better than a number two starter. That contract is just plain silly. Its no wonder the Giants haven`t won since 1954.

 

[Knox The Hatter]

Boy, did the Giants overpay!

$126M for a three hole guy. Give me a break.

BTW: the Giants never won the big one out there for many reasons...back in the Stoneham years, I felt it could be attributed to A) Mr. Stoneham's almost unhealthy taste for big, slow, stiff sluggers who took six months to run the 1200 yard dash, and big, stiff infielders (Jim Davenport, et al) who couldn't make a proper pivot at gunpoint, and B) the constant, free flow of liquor that clouded judgement in the front office to an almost dangerous degree (see Yawkey, Higgins, Cronin, et al, at Fenway). Pitching was good, but not good enough. After Finley moved in next door, Candlestick resembled an alms house.

The succeeding ownerships and front offices have shown amazing shortsightedness, at times almost laughable. The Giants are a strange outfit, indeed.

 

[Laugh704]

First off, you can't blame NOT winning on Barry Zito. The man is a proven winner. Whatever the Giants have done to this point is without him, so don't toot the horn about how lousy the Giants have been in regards to Zito. Did you know Barry Zito is the all-time winningest pitcher in baseball after the all star break?? So don't get out the pitchforks and torches just yet. You can't blame losing a ball game on a single pitcher, no matter the team or player. One player alone is NOT going to bring you a championship. Unless maybe if it's Tiger Woods. He plays an INDIVIDUAL sport - unlike baseball.

 

[ticklingfeet4fu]

First off, you can't blame NOT winning on Barry Zito. The man is a proven winner. Whatever the Giants have done to this point is without him, so don't toot the horn about how lousy the Giants have been in regards to Zito. Did you know Barry Zito is the all-time winningest pitcher in baseball after the all star break?? So don't get out the pitchforks and torches just yet. You can't blame losing a ball game on a single pitcher, no matter the team or player. One player alone is NOT going to bring you a championship. Unless maybe if it's Tiger Woods. He plays an INDIVIDUAL sport - unlike baseball.

And yet, Barry Zito is ONLY 9 games over .500 over the last 4 years. Would you pay $18,000,000 for a pitcher who is 55-46??? Well that is what the Giants did. Because that is Zito's record over the last 4 years. As far as blaming a pitcher, yes you can. The pitcher controls EVERYTHING!!! He throws the pitches. He controls the tempo of the game. He must locate his pitches. That is his job. So, yes you can blame a pitcher. Do fielders have something to do with it??? Yes!!! But a fielder can not control if a pitcher walks batters. A fielder does not control a pitcher giving up a homerun. So yes a pitcher does get blame. Here is a scenerio for you:

Zito versus Glavine--- Glavine goes 8 innings giving up no runs on 6 hits with 2 walks and 5 strikeouts.
Zito gives up 4 runs on 2 hits, with 6 walks and 5 strikeouts. Mets beat the Giants 4-0. Who's fault is it??? Glavine or Zito???

As far as baseball being a team sport, let me tell you something, there is very little your teammates can do for you from the bench when you step in the batter's box and you have to face a 98 MPH fastball and then have to face a 12 to 6 curveball on the next pitch.

 

[Laugh704]

Thank you for showing exactly my point. Each batter is one-on-one with the opposing pitcher and there is very little the other pitcher has to do with it. But you are telling me he gets fault because his teammates can't get hits? Ok. I guess so because as you say he controls everything. Last year the Tigers had the best pitching in baseball. And they won how many world series games? Zero. I think it's because the Cardinals played as a TEAM. But oh yeh, it's not a team sport according to you, right? Ever watch much baseball?

And as i mentioned before, since 2000 Barry Zito is the winningest pitcher in baseball after the all-star break. What exactly does that mean? That means if my team is in the playoff hunt and it's after the all star break then Barry Zito is a man I want on the mound. The A's lost because they had no hitting. Then again you blame that on Zito's pitching too I suppose. Had nothing to do with his teammates ability or inability to perform. It's all a pitching game, right?

 

[ticklingfeet4fu]

Thank you for showing exactly my point. Each batter is one-on-one with the opposing pitcher and there is very little the other pitcher has to do with it. But you are telling me he gets fault because his teammates can't get hits? Ok. I guess so because as you say he controls everything. Last year the Tigers had the best pitching in baseball. And they won how many world series games? Zero. I think it's because the Cardinals played as a TEAM. But oh yeh, it's not a team sport according to you, right? Ever watch much baseball?

And as i mentioned before, since 2000 Barry Zito is the winningest pitcher in baseball after the all-star break. What exactly does that mean? That means if my team is in the playoff hunt and it's after the all star break then Barry Zito is a man I want on the mound. The A's lost because they had no hitting. Then again you blame that on Zito's pitching too I suppose. Had nothing to do with his teammates ability or inability to perform. It's all a pitching game, right?

REALLY!!! The Tigers won NO games in the World Series??? Then why did it take the Cardinals five games to win the World Series??? Then who won game two of the World Series??? Oh, it must have been the Kansas City Royals that won game two. By the way, I have been following baseball probably longer than you were an inch in you daddy's jock. The A's lost because they had no hitting??? Then how did they make it to the playoffs??? As I said, ( and if you are a Giants fan that is too bad ) you paid for a guy who is 9 games over .500 for the last four years $18,000,000 a year. A DUMB decision on the part of the Giants. So you want to defend it??? Go right ahead. But between the Giants and the Dodgers throwing almost $16,000,000 at Jason Schmidt you did baseball NO FAVORS!!! All both teams did was spike ticket prices. Is he worth $18,000,000??? Heck you seem smart enough ( notice how I said seem smart ), is he worth $18,000,000???

In my little scenerio, Zito walks 6 batters and gave up two hits and gives up 4 runs. Is that his teammates fault that he walks 6 batters??? Not a hell of a lot a fielder can do for his pitcher if he is walking the ballpark. Do yourself a favor dude, get an education before you debate baseball with me. I grew up in baseball parks in a baseball family. I am not just another pretty face out here. I know my stuff.

 

[Laugh704]

Yay! You passed the test. The Tigers did win a world series game. I hand you your official cardboard cookie in recognition of your outstanding ability to pay attention. But hold on.. since pitching wins games and the pitcher controls everything as you say, shouldn't they have won every game?? They had the best pitching team in baseball last year, right? One day you might figure this out, but baseball is a team sport as the Cards proved last year. They also proved pitching isn't everything in baseball. You are paying attention, right? Afterall I gave you a cookie and everything.

The A's hitting, or inability to produce runs, your jock and the Kansas City Royals have absolutely nothing to do with this post. Focus.. focus.. there we go.. You seemed to have missed the point completely. Point is, Zito is a proven winner. Period. Look it up. Oh and since I've stressed this twice now and you seem to ignore the facts, look up his record after the all star break.

It doesnt' matter what the Giants have done since the 30s. Doesn't matter what Oakland has done. Doesn't matter how much money any other player in the game is making. Point is, Zito is a pitcher I want on my team after the all star break. The Giants got him to hopefully win games when they need to down the stretch. He's proven he does that. Pay attention or I might have to take that cookie back.

As far as your scenario goes, if more runs had been produced (is that Zito's fault too?) doesn't matter how many he walked. I suppose Zito was batting every time his teammates struck out or grounded out or popped out and failed to produce runs. Now pay attention.. that's why you have teamwork. It's not all about the pitcher. Each person has to pull their weight in order to win. I've seen pitchers have fantastic games and lose. Is that their fault? If you've been around baseball as you claim, you must have been throwing bottlecaps at the pitchers because you blamed them for losing. Instead, you should have been learning that teamwork is what wins baseball games - and not pitching alone. Zito won't get the Giants a series title by himself. He won't even get them TO the series by himself. His team will need to help. But given his proven ability to win in the clutch I would say it's a safe bet he just increased their chances of winning down the stretch.

 

[ticklingfeet4fu]

Yay! You passed the test. The Tigers did win a world series game. I hand you your official cardboard cookie in recognition of your outstanding ability to pay attention. But hold on.. since pitching wins games and the pitcher controls everything as you say, shouldn't they have won every game?? They had the best pitching team in baseball last year, right? One day you might figure this out, but baseball is a team sport as the Cards proved last year. They also proved pitching isn't everything in baseball. You are paying attention, right? Afterall I gave you a cookie and everything.

The A's hitting, or inability to produce runs, your jock and the Kansas City Royals have absolutely nothing to do with this post. Focus.. focus.. there we go.. You seemed to have missed the point completely. Point is, Zito is a proven winner. Period. Look it up. Oh and since I've stressed this twice now and you seem to ignore the facts, look up his record after the all star break.

It doesnt' matter what the Giants have done since the 30s. Doesn't matter what Oakland has done. Doesn't matter how much money any other player in the game is making. Point is, Zito is a pitcher I want on my team after the all star break. The Giants got him to hopefully win games when they need to down the stretch. He's proven he does that. Pay attention or I might have to take that cookie back.

As far as your scenario goes, if more runs had been produced (is that Zito's fault too?) doesn't matter how many he walked. I suppose Zito was batting every time his teammates struck out or grounded out or popped out and failed to produce runs. Now pay attention.. that's why you have teamwork. It's not all about the pitcher. Each person has to pull their weight in order to win. I've seen pitchers have fantastic games and lose. Is that their fault? If you've been around baseball as you claim, you must have been throwing bottlecaps at the pitchers because you blamed them for losing. Instead, you should have been learning that teamwork is what wins baseball games - and not pitching alone. Zito won't get the Giants a series title by himself. He won't even get them TO the series by himself. His team will need to help. But given his proven ability to win in the clutch I would say it's a safe bet he just increased their chances of winning down the stretch.

I find it hard to believe you are testing me. You thought the Cardinals swept the Tigers. Don't Bulls**t me. Zito winning more than any pitcher after the All-Star break. So where does he rank as far as his record BEFORE the All-Star break??? You know games count in April, May and June. They don't start the season in July after the break. Maybe someone oughta Western -Union him on that thought. What do ya think??? You have Zito performing the final 81 games of the season, what happen to the first 81???

 

[Laugh704]

Good point and well taken. Now you're talking sensible baseball talk. Well I do know since 2000 the man is 102-63 with a 3.55 ERA. As a side note he did win the Cy Young award in 2002 with a 23-5 record. In the last three years he's won more games than the previous year. He won 16 (2006), 14 (2005) and 11 (2004) games. He did make the all star game last year so he had to have posted good numbers before mid-season. Zito's not going to win every game. I've seen him get rocked early. He usually either gets off early and has a really good game or he gets blasted early and it's over. A lot of pitchers are middle ground but I think Zito is more one or the other.

Every team has specialty needs. I don't think the Giants got Zito looking for an all-star starter who's going to post 20 wins. I'm sure he and the Giants hope he would - but I'm sure no one expects that. They just want a pitcher who can hopefully get them through down the pipe. But as I said, Zito is going to need help. I just hope the Giants get rid of steroid freak and lose the distractions.

I also like that Zito has established the "Strikeout for Troops" program in which he donates $100 for every strikeout he records to troops being treated in military hospitals. As part of his new Giants contract, he has also agreed to build and support parks for youth baseball programs in the San Francisco area. You can't blame a guy for trying to make big dollars in the age of sports paychecks, but at least Zito is giving a little back in good ways. Can't you just be happy for the guy? Some pitchers in his same position would be caught with cocaine a month later and spend the season in rehab or some nonsense.

 

[Knox The Hatter]

Thanks for the bluster...

but you still haven't disproven my assertion that they overpaid.

 

[Knox The Hatter]

First off, you can't blame NOT winning on Barry Zito. The man is a proven winner. Whatever the Giants have done to this point is without him, so don't toot the horn about how lousy the Giants have been in regards to Zito.

Actually, this is my argument vis-a-vis Terrell Owens. For all the talk about how indispensable he is, and how life would be infinitely better for any team that signed him, I've noticed that, very recently, the New England Patriots and the Pittsburgh Steelers have won Super Bowls without him... 😛

But, that's a story for another day.

 

[ticklingfeet4fu]

Good point and well taken. Now you're talking sensible baseball talk. Well I do know since 2000 the man is 102-63 with a 3.55 ERA. As a side note he did win the Cy Young award in 2002 with a 23-5 record. In the last three years he's won more games than the previous year. He won 16 (2006), 14 (2005) and 11 (2004) games. He did make the all star game last year so he had to have posted good numbers before mid-season. Zito's not going to win every game. I've seen him get rocked early. He usually either gets off early and has a really good game or he gets blasted early and it's over. A lot of pitchers are middle ground but I think Zito is more one or the other.

Every team has specialty needs. I don't think the Giants got Zito looking for an all-star starter who's going to post 20 wins. I'm sure he and the Giants hope he would - but I'm sure no one expects that. They just want a pitcher who can hopefully get them through down the pipe. But as I said, Zito is going to need help. I just hope the Giants get rid of steroid freak and lose the distractions.

I also like that Zito has established the "Strikeout for Troops" program in which he donates $100 for every strikeout he records to troops being treated in military hospitals. As part of his new Giants contract, he has also agreed to build and support parks for youth baseball programs in the San Francisco area. You can't blame a guy for trying to make big dollars in the age of sports paychecks, but at least Zito is giving a little back in good ways. Can't you just be happy for the guy? Some pitchers in his same position would be caught with cocaine a month later and spend the season in rehab or some nonsense.

All-Star games are popularity contests. Don't give me All-Star games. I mean, the Kansas City Royals and the Tampa Bay Devil Rays and the Colorado Rockies had players playing for the All-Star team too. Were their numbers superior than those left off the team??? Don't throw All-Star games at me. In 2003, Armando Benitez made the All-Star team as a New York Met after be had blown 11 saves for the Mets. Then after the All-Star game the Mets traded their headache to the Yankees. All-Star game??? Poor example. I can give you about 30 players who belong on the All-Star team above and beyond those that actually made the team.

 

[Laugh704]

Thanks for the bluster...

but you still haven't disproven my assertion that they overpaid.

And I never will. Being overpaid or underpaid is a matter of opinion. Nothing I can say will change your mind and nothing you can say will change mine. So fair enough, I guess we agree to disagree. No harm no foul.

 

[Angel_2]

IF Zito wanted a ring he would have come to the Mets(I am not saying this as an upset Mets fan) I really believe that Zito's BEST Shot at getting a ring was with the Mets. that being said he can spend all his millions on a wide screen tv at home and watch the Mets in the World Series this coming year!

Lets Go Mets we don't need Zito

 

[Laugh704]

All-Star games are popularity contests. Don't give me All-Star games. I mean, the Kansas City Royals and the Tampa Bay Devil Rays and the Colorado Rockies had players playing for the All-Star team too. Were their numbers superior than those left off the team??? Don't throw All-Star games at me. In 2003, Armando Benitez made the All-Star team as a New York Met after be had blown 11 saves for the Mets. Then after the All-Star game the Mets traded their headache to the Yankees. All-Star game??? Poor example. I can give you about 30 players who belong on the All-Star team above and beyond those that actually made the team.

You really are joking right? If you actually believe this you really need to start watching baseball. You're telling me that being an all star means nothing? It's all a popularity contest? So Bo Jackson and Joe Schmo are the same caliber player? Because all star games mean nothing, right? I guess that's why GMs pay players thousands of bucks to make the all star team, in addition to their contracts, because it means nothing. They give away thousands of dollars to a guy because he's popular? Ok. Secondly, just what makes a player popular? Let me see. If a player blows saves, drops balls, misses games, and whines about every little thing I guess that would make him pretty popular. Hmm.. maybe players get popular because they actually perform on the field? They actually do their job and make fans want to watch the games?? Do you actually know the definition of the term ALL STAR??

You really should seek medication.

 

[ticklingfeet4fu]

You really are joking right? If you actually believe this you really need to start watching baseball. You're telling me that being an all star means nothing? It's all a popularity contest? So Bo Jackson and Joe Schmo are the same caliber player? Because all star games mean nothing, right? I guess that's why GMs pay players thousands of bucks to make the all star team, in addition to their contracts, because it means nothing. They give away thousands of dollars to a guy because he's popular? Ok. Secondly, just what makes a player popular? Let me see. If a player blows saves, drops balls, misses games, and whines about every little thing I guess that would make him pretty popular. Hmm.. maybe players get popular because they actually perform on the field? They actually do their job and make fans want to watch the games?? Do you actually know the definition of the term ALL STAR??

You really should seek medication.

You are an idiot!!! To tell someone who watches baseball ALL THE FUCKING TIME that he needs to watch more FUCKING baseball makes you pathetic. I have been watching baseball since 1970. I know what a FUCKING All-Star is. Joe Morgan, Pete Rose, Johnny Bench, Tom Seaver, Catfish Hunter, Brooks Robinson, Frank Robinson, Boog Powell, Rod Carew, Mike Schmidt, Paul Blair were all-stars. Don't give me this shit that I don't know what a FUCKING all-star is. The all-stars I defined there are all-stars. Not these lazy overpaid pieces of shit that are out there now. Will Zito pitch a complete game doubleheader??? Will Zito make 40 to 50 starts a year??? I know that Seaver and Koosman and Hunter and Vida Blue all did. I know that when I started watching baseball there were 3 man rotations. Not 5 man rotations. I know when I started watching baseball that they played for their contracts year to year. Not these five year deals where they can fake an injury or play when they feel like playing then take 3/4 of the season off. Do me a favor, unless you have been watching baseball since the 1950's or 1960's, don't compare your knowledge with mine. Because I will leave you in the dust. Don't ever tell me I don't know. You sound like you are about 18 to 25. I am MUCH older than that. Trust me, I know baseball.

 

[Laugh704]

You are an idiot!!! To tell someone who watches baseball ALL THE FUCKING TIME that he needs to watch more FUCKING baseball makes you pathetic. I have been watching baseball since 1970. I know what a FUCKING All-Star is. Joe Morgan, Pete Rose, Johnny Bench, Tom Seaver, Catfish Hunter, Brooks Robinson, Frank Robinson, Boog Powell, Rod Carew, Mike Schmidt, Paul Blair were all-stars. Don't give me this shit that I don't know what a FUCKING all-star is. The all-stars I defined there are all-stars. Not these lazy overpaid pieces of shit that are out there now. Will Zito pitch a complete game doubleheader??? Will Zito make 40 to 50 starts a year??? I know that Seaver and Koosman and Hunter and Vida Blue all did. I know that when I started watching baseball there were 3 man rotations. Not 5 man rotations. I know when I started watching baseball that they played for their contracts year to year. Not these five year deals where they can fake an injury or play when they feel like playing then take 3/4 of the season off. Do me a favor, unless you have been watching baseball since the 1950's or 1960's, don't compare your knowledge with mine. Because I will leave you in the dust. Don't ever tell me I don't know. You sound like you are about 18 to 25. I am MUCH older than that. Trust me, I know baseball.

For someone with supposed age, you really need to grow up. The use of foul language is a proven sign of immaturity and/or lack of education. Do us all a favor and stop contradicting yourself. The only idiot is the one you are making out of yourself.

 

[ticklingfeet4fu]

For someone with supposed age, you really need to grow up. The use of foul language is a proven sign of immaturity and/or lack of education. Do us all a favor and stop contradicting yourself. The only idiot is the one you are making out of yourself.

Excuse me. Why don't you do us all a favor and just not post in the sports section. I have been a well respected member of this community who continues to keep sports fans updated on what is going on. What exactly have you contributed to this point??? You tell me to seek medication and expect me not to react??? You have questioned whether I know what an All-Star is??? Well let me tell you something Mr. Barry Zito fan, may your 7 year trip to San Francisco be as unsucessful as the New York Giants trip has been. May your journey of signing a $18,000,000 deal for a pitcher that is 9 games over .500 over his last four years be as failed as you and your organization is. I make a prediction right now: The Chicago Cubs an organization that has lost for 98 years will win a World Series before your Zito leads the Giants to the promise land.

 

[Knox The Hatter]

Dude...

Zito ain't worth the money, as we all know...and Laugh704 ain't worth the energy spent. Trust me on this.

Hope you and the Other Half had a great New Years...we did!

Let's talk soon.

 

[Laugh704]

Take care of your boy Knox. Next thing you know he will tell us the Cowboys are his favorite team after telling us 100 reasons why they stink.

No doubt Zito makes outrageous money. Keep in mind though that this is now locked for 7 years. What will pitchers make in the next 5 years? I suspect by then some will make more than Zito.

The Mets didn't sign Zito because they didn't want to commit to 7 years. They had no problem with the money issue. I guess the Mets would rather commit to Martinez so he can attack more vicious 80 year old coaches and fall apart with health problems come playoff time. By the way, how many games did Zito miss last year? How about the year before that? You want to try for three years? Look it up. Or maybe the Mets would rather commit to Glavine who has health issues himself and is so loyal to the Mets he keeps his team hanging for weeks trying to decide if he wants to play with his buddies in Atlanta. Sounds like guys I'd really invest in.Oh well. Maybe this year the Mets will win the division by August so they can fall apart again. It was so much fun last year laughing at the mighty Mets when everyone was ready to hand them the series trophy in September. Someone forgot to tell St Louis.

Will the Giants win the division this year? Probably not. No one said Zito would help win the world series for the Giants. They simply say he's a consistent good pitcher who stays healthy. His record proves that. He's gotten better each year for the last three years and last year was his best record since 2002. And it's a proven fact he helps win games down the stretch and more importantly, to this point, he stays healthy.

Am I a Zito fan? Obviously. He's a good pitcher and a good guy. In this day and age of drug abuse, steroids, gambling scandals, rape cases involving sports figures, wife beating and "I don't give a crap I'm rich" athletes, to this point Zito has kept above that garbage. Any athlete who follows that example gets my respect.

 

[natural tickler]

Yanno, people always wish to complain about contracts when their team doesn't sign a particular player. Then again, had your team signed him, not a peep of complaint would be heard from any of you. So having said that, I'd advise you guys to chill a little bit. Besides, Zito didn't twist the Giants arms and made him pay it. Also, the market dictated that he got paid this much

I know from the Cubs standpoint, its gonna be interesting to find out how much Zambrano gets because I know he is a better pitcher than Zito

Now looking from a numbers standpoint, he is durable, averages 35 starts a year, gives ya 200+ innings a year, isn't that what you want from a starter?? As someone has beat to death this stat, yes he is only 9 games over .500 since his Cy Young winning year, but he is not responsible for the offense's failing to provide him run support. That is not his fault. I will take durability over record as of this time, because I will take a pitcher who is 14-13 with a 3 ERA and 35 starts and can get the ball in the 7th-8th innings than a guy who is 18-9 and can't get past the 5th. Think about that

 

[ticklingfeet4fu]

Take care of your boy Knox. Next thing you know he will tell us the Cowboys are his favorite team after telling us 100 reasons why they stink.

No doubt Zito makes outrageous money. Keep in mind though that this is now locked for 7 years. What will pitchers make in the next 5 years? I suspect by then some will make more than Zito.

The Mets didn't sign Zito because they didn't want to commit to 7 years. They had no problem with the money issue. I guess the Mets would rather commit to Martinez so he can attack more vicious 80 year old coaches and fall apart with health problems come playoff time. By the way, how many games did Zito miss last year? How about the year before that? You want to try for three years? Look it up. Or maybe the Mets would rather commit to Glavine who has health issues himself and is so loyal to the Mets he keeps his team hanging for weeks trying to decide if he wants to play with his buddies in Atlanta. Sounds like guys I'd really invest in.Oh well. Maybe this year the Mets will win the division by August so they can fall apart again. It was so much fun last year laughing at the mighty Mets when everyone was ready to hand them the series trophy in September. Someone forgot to tell St Louis.

Will the Giants win the division this year? Probably not. No one said Zito would help win the world series for the Giants. They simply say he's a consistent good pitcher who stays healthy. His record proves that. He's gotten better each year for the last three years and last year was his best record since 2002. And it's a proven fact he helps win games down the stretch and more importantly, to this point, he stays healthy.

Am I a Zito fan? Obviously. He's a good pitcher and a good guy. In this day and age of drug abuse, steroids, gambling scandals, rape cases involving sports figures, wife beating and "I don't give a crap I'm rich" athletes, to this point Zito has kept above that garbage. Any athlete who follows that example gets my respect.

You have a better shot at meeting God than you do hearing me say that I am a Cowshit fan. That is absolutely impossible. I suppose if Zito went to Los Angeles, you would be a Dodgers fan.

As far as the Mets are concerned, my question is, where were the Giants??? Fact that the Mets had a shot is more than we can say for the Giants. Like I said, losers since 1954. In fact, the Mets have won more World Championships since 1962, than the Giants have since 1933.

As far as Zito is concerned, something you have not been able to argue is that he is 9 games over .500 over the last 4 years. That is a far cry from 23-5 in 2002. You are paying for a guy based on his 2002 record and not what he has done in '03,'04 '05 or '06 ( and '06 was actually his best year over the last four years ). If the deal was struck before 2003 season, I might not have had an issue. But you are paying for a guy who is only 9 games over .500. That to me makes it seem like a mindless idiot made the deal. Yeah he makes all of his starts for now, but does he win the majority of them??? The answer is NO!!! If you look at what I am saying, you know I am making sense.

As far as anyone taking care of me???, Knox or nobody else takes care of me. I take care of myself. And one more time, I am not a boy as you put it. I am probably double your age. You should try to reason, rather than argue.

Natural as far as you are concerned, the best advice I could give you is don't give advice. You know I was not interested in Zito then, nor now. So before you tell me to chill, take your own advice my friend.

As far as his ERA. he has a 3.50 ERA and yes he makes 35 starts but he is a 6 1/3 innings pitcher. So don't tell me he gets to the 8th inning very often. Fact is, Oakland has been a top five team as far as runs scored in the AL over the last 6 seasons. So there goes your theory of run support.

One more thing, it doesn't surprise me that you would say something here, his team a loser since 1954 and your team a loser since 1908. Losers must stick together.