S.F. Giants sign Barry Zito for $126 Million

[Auggie]

(I don't know how they intend to score runs though...)

SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE (12-28-06) -- Barry Zito, the longtime A's ace and member of "the Big Three,'' will be introduced as the newest member of the San Francisco Giants at a press conference, possibly as soon as today, the Chronicle has learned.

"This is a Bay Bridge free agency,'' said one person with knowledge of the negotiations. "I think Barry Zito will be the face of the Giants franchise for a long time.''

Zito will recieve $126 million for seven years, the largest contract ever for a pitcher.

There's a club option for an eighth season that will vest automatically if Zito pitches 200 innings in the final year of the deal, or 400 in the final two years or 600 in the final three years. After that option vests, it becomes a player option and Zito can accept or decline it.

more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2006/12/28/SPzito28.DTL

[underpants]

1. I guess it's no Pearl Jam tour this summer

[maxsolomon]

5. off topic

what is with mr. vedder & the layered-collared shirt thing? he's not alone - i see it at work among the "i'm-so-chill" 30-something crowd.

i get a t shirt & collared shirt.

but another collared shirt over that?

any gay men who'd like to back me up? wait, this is the sports forum...

[Jack Rabbit]

2. But can he handle a bat?

He has to play real baseball now. I hope he can at least bunt.

[Auggie]

3. Yeah -- welcome to the National League

[THUNDER HANDS]

4. just think what a real No. 1 starter would have gotten this offseason

Zito is no better than a No. 2 starter on a good team. Can you imagine what a real No. 1 would have hauled in? $180-200 million, easy.

[Reverend_Smitty]

6. a 7 year deal is a long time for a pitcher

and this may just be the bitter Mets fan in me talking, but I don't know how wise it is to invest so much in one pitcher. Generally they aren't as solid of an investment as an every day player. I know Zito has never missed a start but 7 years, 126 million is A LOT! He's a good pitcher but he's no Roger Clemens or Randy Johnson in his prime.

[bigwillq]

7. Imagine if the Yankees had signed him for $126 million?!?!

That's all we would hear about---

money, money, money

[Counciltucky]

8. I wish I had a wicked curveball and could throw in the 90s.

I'm left-handed, so I'd be thrown money left and right.

I guess I'll declare free agency right now.

Get me while I last, MLB! I'm 25 and left-handed, I have a hanging curveball, a fastball that tops out at just under 60, and a nice flat slider, and I can occasionally hit the strike zone.

(Edited to add detail)

[hijinx87]

9. scott borass has found a new victim

this is an odd signing. it would have made sense if the giants
were on the verge of being good, but they aren't. they lost 85
games last year, and are very, very old, with nothing happening
in the minors.