BaseballHappenings.com

The S.F. Giants found their #1 pitcher to make up for the Jason Schmidt defection. However, several points come to mind. It was thought Zito wanted to step into a big market where he could market himself as a media darling off the field. In signing with the Giants, he does not make himself any more marketable than he did with the Billy Beane Oakland A’s. The signing also seems to indicate that he was more of a West Coast guy all along, who was just trying to land the big pay day. I never really got the feeling he was serious about heading to the East coast with the N.Y. Mets, where he would have to live under tremendous pressure on a daily basis to back up the big bucks. It was the Mets Frank Cashen who used to say you never want to sign a pitcher for a contract more than three years because of the tenderness of a pitchers arm. You are putting yourself at risk by signing a pitcher more than a three year deal. The Giants clearly overpaid on the dollar figure handed out to Zito, and secondly on the length of the contract. However, if you look past this year they really had no impact pitchers on the horizon and this atleast gives them hope. If you are a fan of the S.F. Giants that is all you can ask for. Its called ownership showing the fans you are going to atleast try to help your ball club compete, even if you do fail. Welcome to the National League Barry Zito!