Cough, Cough - Barry Zito - 7 Years, 126 Million!

I was just having lunch and I nearly choked on my sandwich.

Well, Barry stayed at home, all right. He just jumped the pond in the Bay Area.

Now we have two Barrys on one team - the Giants. He's not coming to the AL East, going to Texas or wherever else, and has chosen a city that fits his nature. The Giants agreed to a seven-year, $126 million deal with the lefty who was the last premier pitcher on the market.

ESPN reports, "Sources told ESPN's Peter Gammons that the former A's pitcher has agreed to a seven-year contract from the Giants. The $126 million deal averages approximately $18 million per season. Zito will be formally introduced by the Giants this afternoon.

The deal, agreed to late Wednesday night, includes an $18 million option for 2014 that could increase the value to $144 million, an unidentified source told The Associated Press.

Gammons reports that Zito picked the Giants over the Rangers, Mets, Yankees and Mariners. In additon, sources told Gammons that the Yankees never made a formal offer.

Zito is 102-63 in 222 career starts, including a 16-10 mark with a 3.83 ERA in 34 starts this year before becoming a free agent."

Did the Giants pay too much? Yes. Is he worth the money? No. I'm shocked by the years and numbers! It's close to what Schmidt got, but the Dodgers were smart enough not to go that long term.

According to CNNSi's John Heyman:

"The contract -- the largest ever for a pitcher -- also includes an option for an eighth year that will vest if Zito throws 200 innings in the final year of the deal, 400 innings over the last two years or 600 innings over the last three."

Well, Zito has had some fine numbers, but in my mind, you never sign a pitcher more than 4 years. Although Barry is still on the right side of 30, most pitchers will regress (well, except Roger Clemens, if you use that theory) and I don't know if signing Zito for 7 years is feisable. However, he's never been injured, so it may go either way, but then again, the law of averages my catch up to him.

In the same article it was asserted Zito wanted to stay in the Bay Area, and he sure got his wish. The Giants now have a number 1 starter, and it's sure an impact move, especially after re-signing Barry Bonds.

Was it a smart deal? Only time will tell on this one. I'll say, the market is ripe and a lot of players are getting richer, and a lot richer than their ability indicates...