For the entire off-season, we've been hearing Barry Zito to the Mets would be a slam freaking dunk. Fast forward to today.
According to the Associated Press and ESPN's Peter Gammons, Zito will sign with the Giants for 7 years, $126 Million dollars. Oh. MY.
You can't really blame Omar Minaya for this one, this isn't like A-Rod a few years back when he's a free agent. Zito is a good pitcher, former Cy Young Award winner in 2002. But his numbers have been regressing since that big year. This year, Zito went 16-10 with a 3.83 ERA, not terrible, especially for the American League, but not exactly numbers that'll make you think he's the next Koufax. His WHIP (Walks, hits per inning) was the highest ever in his career, 1.40. His numbers will be better in the National League, there's no doubt about that. But the Giants got the best pitcher in an extremely weak free agent class. It was expected that Zito and his agent, Scott Boras would at least wait til the new year to sort out of offers. Guess that's not happening.
So how does this affect the locals? For the Mets, who missed out on Daisuke Matzusaka and Zito it puts them in a precarious position. The rotation is Glavine, El Duque, Oliver Perez, John Maine and a brawl for the fifth starter spot between Mike Pelfrey, Philip Humber et al. Perez and Maine impressed during the post-season, but can they do that over a full season? I think Perez is a tremendous talent but he's never put it together consistently. Maine was a mediocre pitcher until he got with the Mets. The advantage for both of them is that they're both young and Rick Peterson is their pitching coaching. The top of the rotation however, to borrow a line from my friend Stephen "is about to play shuffleboard in Del Boca Vista." Who knows about Pedro Martinez. The Mets inquired earlier about trading for Ben Sheets and maybe they can look into a Jake Peavy, but they didn't get the big pitching ace that they wanted. It'll be interesting to see what their plan C will be.
The Yankees position in trading Randy Johnson got somewhat stronger. With Zito off the market, teams like the Rangers and the Angels, who could have been in the Zito sweepstakes could up the ante with a trade package for the Big Unit. Higher demand for a 43-year-old over the hill left handed = more chips for the Yankees to use down the line for a bigger trade. A lot of people are surprised that the Yanks didn't get involve with Zito, but if you look at his numbers against the AL East, you'll see why. Outside of Tampa Bay, he didn't have an ERA of under 4 against any AL East opponent.
This also increases the chances, however slight of the Yankees making a run at Roger Clemens, especially if they get rid of Johnson's contract as reported.
Back here later tonite for more commentary...
3 comments:
Lucky, you post too much. But that's a good thing. You're like me with e-mails.
The way San Francisco has failed this offseason to improve the team, and hang on to their better players (cough Jason Schmidt, cough, cough), you could understand their overpaying of Zito. If they lose out on him, San Francisco is guaranteed to have another boring, mediocre year. At least now, San Francisco has a pitcher to replace Schmidt, even if their payroll will be hamstrung for nearly a decade. They have at most, one good year out of Bonds left. Lets see if the Giants have a last hurrah left.
I think Bonds' sell by date has long passed. Sure, he'll hit his homers to break a sacred record, causing a headache for everyone involved, but he's more of a distraction to that clubhouse than anything else. They could have used that money they spent on Zito and re-signed Schmidt, and maybe even replace that aging left fielder they have out there with some one who can run, field and throw and whose position isn't bat. I doubt this put them anywhere close to the top.
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