Zito signs

It's a pitcher's ballpark and a weak division. He should do well there, and maybe even more importantly stabilize the staff, inspire Lowry, another lefty, mentor Cain, their other hot young starter, and allow Morris to be the third pitcher. Very good chance this can help the Giants like another former A's lefty did - Vida Blue. Problem is that the team to beat in that division is still the Dodgers who also improved in the off-season.

Plus he saves moving expenses.

As a Bay Area baseball fan...and a Giants fan, I'm very happy.

However, I'm not to sure about the $18M/year...whether he's really worth that?...and how it might handicap the Giants for signing other players over the next few years?

There's been a lot of local sports radio talk about this over the past few days...and many question whether he's a bona-fide #1 rotation guy. I personally see him more as a #2 guy.

But the Giants ballpark is big and forgiving. His defense is a little elderly by baseball standards. I hope it works...Barry can own the Bay Area if it does. Everything about him fits in well here.

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Plus he saves moving expenses.

Except to maybe a bigger mansion.

He already lives in San Francisco.

HIs era will take a hit with the Giants underperforming defense.....The Giants outfield won't be "taking away" hits or extra bases from the opposition.

IMO, the combination of Bonds salary, the mortgage on it's park and a depleted minor league system leaves the Giants lacking leverage in almost all negotiations.
The impact of the minor league system shows when they give Feliz a $2,000,000 raise off a .243 year, when he hit below the "Mendoza" line after June. They just don't have upcoming talent in key positions so they overpay for players that are pretty unproductive or try and stay afloat by signing veterans. Other than Vizquel, that strategy has been less that thrilling both in terms of injuries and performance. I am not thinking Klesko will be the second coming of JT Snow at 1B.
Bonds and the mortgage leave them short on the very top free agents when they compete against clubs with stadiums financed by public money.
So, they needed to make a plunge with Zito. They made a public committment in October to be younger and signing Durham, Aurellia, Klesko and Roberts left their fan base incredulous.
History shows long term contracts with pitchers have never been successful. I think the Giants overpaid... by a lot. But they had to do it. The way they have managed the franchise leaves them no other option. They are better for this but I don't think the team is $126,000,000 better. For that money, I would want Vernon Wells or a similar everyday player. .

Isn't Ryan Klesko about 45 or 50 years old?

We here in Texas would have liked him to come here. Since the Rangers signed McCarthy from the White Sox it lessens the loss. The Giants got a good one. As always, the Rangers still need more pitching but the rotation as it is now shows the most promise it has in a while.

I believe the Rangers were a mere bargaining chip in the process. They were in the picture to drive the price up...thats the way it looks to me.

Zito apparently really wanted to play in NY. The Mets wouldn't go over $80M (I've heard). Zito lives in SF and is a California-kid. So staying in SF was a good second-option and fits his lifestyle and rumored acting aspirations nicely.

The Giants part of the equation was explained well by infielddad...that is the Giants HAD to sign Zito given the extreme pressure from their fan base.

I hope it works.

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Isn't Ryan Klesko about 45 or 50 years old?

As I said, the Giants committed to getting younger. Actually, they said he is only about 36, he just plays like he is 45-50 years old. Better yet, he is our back up left fielder on days Bonds needs a rest. Zito better learn to pitch away and Roberts and Wynn might want to do some long distance running this winter.

A lot of money for sure, but the Giants had to get this one done. They had already made it known that they weren't shy about spending with their offers to Lee, Pierre, and Matthews Jr. Resigning Bonds for another year just PO'd the fans, even if it did make good baseball sense.

Zito makes better sense to me. Not only is he my son's favorite pitcher, but look how well the last dependable LHP the Giants had (Kirk Reuter) did in that ballpark. Zito has much better stuff than Reuter ever did.

I don't see the Giants defense being as bad as others do, despite last year. Sure Bonds is a liability in left field, and Durham has a junk yard glove. But Roberts and Winn are solid defenders and the left side of the infield is top notch. I do wonder how Zito will do at Coors Field. That dog will not bite in the thin air.

I think JBB is right, Zito will be king if this works out. It may just take a championship to work though. Still, after all of the losses lately, it's nice for Bay Area fans to keep one for a change.

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Originally posted by infielddad:

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Isn't Ryan Klesko about 45 or 50 years old?

As I said, the Giants committed to getting younger. Actually, they said he is only about 36, he just plays like he is 45-50 years old. Better yet, he is our back up left fielder on days Bonds needs a rest. Zito better learn to pitch away and Roberts and Wynn might want to do some long distance running this winter.

Bonds WAS great. I think I could beat him to first, though. Watching him play left reminds me of a senior league softball game. Walk over to the ball, pick it up, toss it in. Klesko will look like Matsui in left compared to Bonds.

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the left side of the infield is top notch.

Does that mean Vizquel plays SS and 3B?
Also, the idea of Klesko and Richie at 1B with a declining Molina catching doesn't make me think all the Gold Gloves are coming to SFO. While I think Zito will like triples alley, he definitely benefited by the defense of Ellis, Chavez and Crosby.

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Does that mean Vizquel plays SS and 3B?

I actually like Feliz' glove at 3rd. If he hadn't been moved around so much by Dusty he might already be a Gold Glover by now. His bat, now, is another story.

If he could solve the crisis in the Middle East, stop terrorists, ease World Hunger, and find a cure for cancer, he's be worth $18 million a year.

Since he hasn't done any of the above...the long answer is...no.

Based on the $$$ the owners are doling out to .500 pitchers he is worth it

I thought he would be a Met. He makes Dice K look like a bargain at $100 Mil.

$18M per year x 7yrs is lunacy, for a pitcher. A TJ surgery would cost the Giants as much as $36M. If Zito stays healthy and performs, it may be a reasonable deal. I can't fathom that much over that extended period, for a pitcher.

....but as another post stated, they are paying gold bricks to .500 pitchers.

Be good,
David