<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>The Rangers have been told that Barry Zito is signing elsewhere.One source said that the Rangers expect Zito to sign with the San Francisco Giants. The Rangers offered Zito a six-year, $84 million contract. They also added a vesting option for $15 million for a seventh year with a $4 million buyout. The option would have kicked in if Zito pitched 200 innings in the sixth year of the contract. But apparently it wasn't enough to lure Zito to Texas. "I enjoyed getting to know Barry," said Rangers owner Tom Hicks. "I think highly of him as a player and as a person. I wish him well with his new team. I am glad he is not pitching with one of our division opponents. I am comfortable that we made a very strong offer." Zito -- who resides in San Francisco -- has pitched for the Oakland Athletics his entire career and has chosen to remain on the West Coast. The Mets, Mariners, Angels and the Yankees were all interested in Zito. According to The Associated Press, Zito will receive the largest contract for a pitcher in baseball history -- a seven-year, $126 million deal. Zito's agreement, reached late Wednesday night, includes an $18 million option for 2014 that could increase the value to $144 million. Zito must pass a physical for the contract to be finalized. Zito's deal ties for the sixth largest overall, matching the seven-year, $126 million 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. The Rangers continue to have discussions with agent Gregg Clifton about free-agent pitcher Mark Mulder, but he is coming off shoulder surgery and is not expected to be ready until the All-Star break. Without Zito, the Rangers are left with a rotation of Kevin Millwood, Vicente Padilla, Robinson Tejeda and Brandon McCarthy, who was acquired last week from the Chicago White Sox. That leaves one spot in the rotation to be filled in Spring Training. The likely candidates are Kameron Loe, John Koronka, Edinson Volquez and Josh Rupe.</div>7 Years for 126 Million! Highest for a pitcher!He's much too inconsistent for that value, but he is full of youth, and he is an ace. He will fill the void of Schmidt. But I don't see the Giants finishing any higher than fourth in that division.
Dang it, I kinda wanted Zito here, he would really help us win some games. Oh well, another year in the craphole for the Rangers.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (SunnyD @ Dec 28 2006, 01:36 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>7 Years for 126 Million! Highest for a pitcher!He's much too inconsistent for that value, but he is full of youth, and he is an ace. He will fill the void of Schmidt. But I don't see the Giants finishing any higher than fourth in that division.</div>You can look at the good side of things, Zito is on the mound most every scheduled start. He is rarely ever hurt, has nice movement on his pitches, and has the stuff to be maybe the best pitcher in the majors. He also provides some youth, to the team that may be the oldest in the NL. Then there is the bad side, like you said he is WAY to inconsistent. You never know what you are going to get from him when Zito gets on the mound. Is he going to be throwing like a CY-Young type candidate, or is he going to pitch like Eric Milton and give up alot of hits to the gaps. Plus, 126 million over 7 years is completely ridiculous. They are going to use all this money on him, and be unable to sign many other top name free agents. I think they way over reached for this one, and spent way to much money on someone that is so inconsistent.
well saying that they had to steal him away from both New York teams, they should consider it a success. With his curveball, he walks way too many hitters. Giants still won't be able to score any runs..
If he agrees with the option near the end the deal is worth $144 million dollars. This is just ridiculous, he's a good pitcher but for over $100 million you should get someone who's at least a top 10 pitcher...and someone you know will give you consistant starts...yikes...
On a nice note for Barry Zito, along with the 126 million dollars to make him happy, he doesn't even really have to move. This puts him right across the bay from where he used to play, and he can stay put.
Zito is overrated his number have slipped from when he won the CY Young award. If he does not have his curveball working he throws batting practice, the Blue Jays made an example of that last season.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (L_C @ Dec 28 2006, 02:37 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>He's still a top ten pitcher...</div>Maybe... I would say more Top 20 or Top 15.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (L_C @ Dec 28 2006, 03:29 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>I think barry zito is definately a top 10 pitcher, BCB</div> I think he's around there...but not a top 10 lock...I just don't like guys that are inconsistant.
johan santanacarlos zambranobrandon webbchris carpenterroy oswaltroy halladayjustin verlanderI was tring to think of top 10 pitchers
I guess they paniced when we picked up their ex pitcher Jason Schmit. They wasted WAY too much money on Zito and his best years are behind him. He might have one or two more great seasons but after that he will most likely just sit on his ass with this big contract. Like Kevin Brown...ugh..I need to forget. But Zito is alot better pitcher than Brown so I shouldn't make that conparison. I just hate the Giants.
