Zito Signs with Boras

by Zabat on Jul 8, 2006 11:40 PM PDT Comment 61 comments

Acoording to ESPN Barry Zito has signed with Scott Boras in preparations for Free Agency.
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2513849&campaign=rss&source=MLBHeadlines

This is definetly going to make it difficult for the A's to resign, which looked very unlikely anyways. This is more reason we should trade him now so we can get more benefit from his departure.

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Ohad mentioned this earlier

in my diary. Not to poo-poo you Zabat, rather giving ohad his due.

Why yes. I am a ray of warm and fuzzy sunshine.

by grover on Jul 8, 2006 11:53 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

well, i did find it in the DLD

But i do think something like this is diary worthy. 12 hours after i saw it, it's still outrageous!

July 11th... My.....Space?

by ohad on Jul 9, 2006 2:34 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Well,

bye bye Barry. This here development more or less settles that little matter.

by walk off bunt on Jul 9, 2006 3:09 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

This probably lowers Zito's trade value now. Even if the A's would of given a team a window to negotiate a contract extension, Boras would certainly reject any contract out of hand because he wants a bidding war. There is now a serious resigning problem for any team trading for him. Now teams will be concerned about dealing with Boras outrageous demands and statements, like comparing Z to Maddux. I almost fell out of my chair laughing when I read that. I had some hope that the A's may have made an offer but now we know the would be rejected because, you only sign up with Boras if all you are about is the money. This is truly bad news for the A's.

by Athletics Fan In London on Jul 9, 2006 6:59 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Boras shouldn't affect Barry's trade value

Zito is already at the top of the food chain when it comes to next year's class of free agent SP, so everyone who may covet his left-handedness in trade is already prepared to open up the pocket books for 2007 and beyond.

Why yes. I am a ray of warm and fuzzy sunshine.

by grover on Jul 9, 2006 7:04 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

comparing Z to Maddux

seems like his arguments get more outrageous for each successive client...this may top his well-publicized offseason reference to Johnny Damon as the "greatest leadoff hitter of all-time."

Where I step a weed dies.

by Cutthemullet on Jul 9, 2006 11:11 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

They maybe be ready to pay

But I think it does lower the return value of what the A's can get back in negotiations. The other GM's may have the money to re-sign him. But do you really think this won't be used against Billy when he is talking to other GM's? It will, in negotiations you use any little thing you can. Do you think a team will give up the prospects Billy wants or will they use this to talk him down or just walk away? This has to raise concerns with any GM, this man Boras is his own three ring circus. I don't think Zito can be moved now for anything close to what Billy wanted before. Even though I thought before that it was a long shot to get Billy's asking price.

by Athletics Fan In London on Jul 9, 2006 7:32 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Now we know...

Now we know that Z is only about the money! This means he is as good as gone and that no trade will happen. Z took care of making sure he was here all year by this change in agents. More teams each year wash their hands of all things Boras. Boras was such a miserable failure as a player he takes his anger out on the game itself by screwing every team one of his players lands on, and there are few of those left. Teams are refusing to draft any player who signs with him, and others trade as fast as possible any player that takes him on.

Goodbye Barry, I was hoping that your were different, but you are just another greedy ballplayer who will never have as fun in the future because of your greed!

Too bad we can't trade him to Atlanta for Timmy, his current contract is more about being on a team, than about himself. I'd even throw in Meyer! lol

I'd trade Z' ass to the Nats right now for Soriano straight up just to teach the young ones that Boras style greed is not good if you want to be an Oakland Athletic. Time for some old fashioned Charley Finley hardball with guys who decide to be greedy. We would still win this weak division without him.

by AAAAAces on Jul 9, 2006 8:58 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I'd really not mind

trading Zito now for some prospects. We have a very slim chance this year and he'll be gone anyway next year. I say give Windsor a chance and get something for Zito.

Nick Swisher...is he amazing?

by Daveed on Jul 9, 2006 9:31 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

No way.

We've every chance. That, and if we keep Zito, we get conditional draft picks, which could bring the next BZ to us.

Keep him. Let him go take his eighty pieces of silver and spend the next five years playing for Pittsburgh or Arizona, and we'll take an extra first rounder.

"I smell like a meadow." - Yuniesky Betancourt

by Ozzz on Jul 9, 2006 2:35 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Actual Minor League players

Are far, far more valuable than draft picks. This equivilation of draft picks to prospects I often see is dead wrong. Prospects have loads of minor league data to draw upon and project with, while draft picks are about as raw and unprojectable as they come. So Zito leaves and we, what, draft another Brad Sullivan or Brian Snyder or Cliff Pennington in the first round? Or perhaps another Huston Street? You never know, and that's why prospects are so much more valuable, because in a sense you DO know. Can guys go Dan Meyer on you? Obviously. But if you do your research right and scout correctly, you greatly minimize that risk in a way you just can't with draft picks.

by walk off bunt on Jul 9, 2006 3:11 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Pittsburgh or Arizona

more like either NY or either LA

Where I step a weed dies.

by Cutthemullet on Jul 9, 2006 11:14 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

in other words

NYY, NYM, LAD, LAAAAAAA

Where I step a weed dies.

by Cutthemullet on Jul 9, 2006 11:14 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

question is, why didn't Barry sign with

Boras in the offseason...or why not after this season ends? That he would do so just before the all-star break indicates that there is lots more to this story.

by OaklandSi on Jul 9, 2006 9:38 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

In my fondest dreams,

all major league teams decline to negotiate with all of Boras' clients, rendering guys like Zito "unsigned free agents". In my dreams, by the way, the concept of "collusion" has been thrown out by the Supreme Court the previous day.

Go with the money, Z. It worked so well for Giambi, Foulke, and Miggy.

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Jul 9, 2006 9:42 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Sometimes--

during that last moment that they're in green and gold--I trick my better judgment into believing that our guy is somehow different, that he loves us as much as we love him. It's never true, is it? I guess in the end they all go with the money.

"No matter what I talk about, it always gets back to baseball." ~Connie Mack

by AinOz on Jul 9, 2006 10:39 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

But not always

This is a good opportunity to remember that Eric Chavez was different. Yes, he still got plenty of money, but bottom line he did prefer to stay here and didn't only look for the offer with the most $$$.

Whatever you may think about Chavez's value as a player or how well he turned out for us after the signing, the fact remains. He was a big-star signing in the same general category as Giambi, Tejada, Hudson, etc., and he didn't just "go with the money".

by iglew on Jul 9, 2006 11:23 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Lack of run support takes its toll

Zito--6 losses 3 TOTAL runs scored in those 6 losses. He has had enough. You don't get into the H of F with bad numbers.

I am so sad to see this. Thought maybe Zito was different and loved Oakland. Nope, he is on to LA or NY. Money matters.

I would love Billy to trade him now so at least we might get something in return. Hudson would be nice. A bat even.

I hope Zito is as happy as Giambi and Miguel have been. He was one of my favorite A's, but no more.

I guess I will never get used to baseball's monetary inequality.

by oaklandcrazy on Jul 9, 2006 9:55 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

the braves don't deal with players who are with

boras anymore so hudson isn't an option.

"I thought it was cute," Oakland's Nick Swisher said of Kotsay's blast with the petal-colored bat

by larrysgurl on Jul 9, 2006 10:42 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Saw discussion of this in the DLD yesterday...

...but didn't have time to read any of the linked articles. Now I have.

Dear Barry,
You were never my favorite. You've never been higher than my 3rd or 4th favorite pitcher on the A's staff, and you've now dropped to my 11th favorite out of the 12 on the active roster (you're 14th out of 15 if we add in the ones that we're eventually expecting back from the DL). Going with Boras is a huge, money-driven F-you to Oakland.

"I think some mental has creeped in there." ~ Ron Washington

by Poppy on Jul 9, 2006 10:16 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Agreed, Poppy--

I have enjoyed the good starts and the good health, but was never a big fan. Now even less so.

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Jul 9, 2006 10:25 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

that's exactly what i was thinking. it's nothing

but a big F-you to oakland. i honestly thought zito wasn't all about the money but apparently he is which is sad.

"I thought it was cute," Oakland's Nick Swisher said of Kotsay's blast with the petal-colored bat

by larrysgurl on Jul 9, 2006 10:41 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Not sure I follow...

I'm honestly not trying to be snarky, but are you mad at Zito for trying to make as much money as he can? I mean, this is his job after all, and if he's aware that Oakland isn't going to make a big offer, which is entirely likely, why not get as much jack as possible from whichever NY or LA team signs him?

"We've come a long way, and I'm not talking about Virginia Slims, either." - Art Howe

by EastCoastA on Jul 9, 2006 11:01 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

i'm mad at zito for not even giving the A's

a chance to sign him. i mean the A's are the reason zito is who is is and he's basically turning his back on them. i'm mad because i honestly thought that zito cared more about this game then he did the money.

"I thought it was cute," Oakland's Nick Swisher said of Kotsay's blast with the petal-colored bat

by larrysgurl on Jul 9, 2006 11:13 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I understand the emotional reaction, but...

I don't really get it.

The A's are not the reason Zito is who he is. Zito is who he is because he's a very talented pitcher who has worked hard to develop that talent. Rick Peterson, the team's former pitching coach, obviously was a big help.

As for the "caring about the game" thing, what does that even mean? Zito is a professional baseball player. His career won't last forever. It's not exactly a shock that a marquee free agent, in the prime of his career, would be looking for a big payday - even if that means going someplace else. Wouldn't you?

We all like to think that the star players care about the A's. But they don't. We go through this every year or so. I don't know why it should be any surprise at all.

by bear88 on Jul 9, 2006 3:00 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

it's also possible that the A's

made no attempt to try to sign Zito. Who knows whether he waited til mid-season before signing with Boras, in part because it was clear that the A's wouldn't even try to sign him?

by OaklandSi on Jul 9, 2006 4:56 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I don't think you sound snarky at all

Have you ever had that kind of a dislike toward someone (or even a borderline neutrality that's just leaning a bit toward "dislike"), where it doesn't really take much for them to make you like them less? I guess that's my relationship with Barry. And I've always been fully aware that it's a matter of differing opinions -- whether to like him or not -- so I don't think I can adequately explain why it pisses me off for him to simply be doing what millionaires will do.

At least he's generous with charities and the Community Fund, so I admire that.

"I think some mental has creeped in there." ~ Ron Washington

by Poppy on Jul 9, 2006 11:13 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

oops... forgot something...

I also meant to refer to bear88's comment, below, about how Zito being with Boras doesn't change anything -- he was never coming back in the first place. I agree. But now, with Boras, something seems a little filthier about it.

"I think some mental has creeped in there." ~ Ron Washington

by Poppy on Jul 9, 2006 11:17 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Good points

I guess I'm feeling indifferent to the whole thing because I've always considered him to be good-as-gone this winter

"We've come a long way, and I'm not talking about Virginia Slims, either." - Art Howe

by EastCoastA on Jul 9, 2006 11:42 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

How many speedboats can you waterski behind?

Griffey signed with Cincy for $6m a year because it was his hometown, at a time when he could have got $16m elsewhere. Why? Because he was already loaded.

So Zito wants to earn $17m a year instead of $11m? Good for him. Hope he makes great use of it, like Tejada is.

"I smell like a meadow." - Yuniesky Betancourt

by Ozzz on Jul 9, 2006 2:38 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

what the hell are you guys thinking?

Have the A's demonstrated any willingness to pony up and resign Zito??

Don't you think Zito can see the writing on the wall about this franchise-- and how they spend 21 million on a slacker/drunk driver who has never come close to matching Zito's performance, but won't go the extra mile for him??

And you blame him for wanting the best deal he can get??

Are you guys out of your minds??

oaktoon

by oaktoon on Jul 9, 2006 4:48 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Of course Zito should be looking out for himself

oaktoon..........yet, it does not seem right to me nor most A's fans that I have spoken with, to hire Scott Boras in the middle of the season.

Mostly, I see it as being another distraction to the team and also as a sign of disrespect to the fans who have supported Zito over the span of his A's career. Honestly, he can and will do whatever the hell he wants but I still see this hiring of Boras(and dumping Arn Tellem)at this point of the season as being purely classless and spiteful towards management. More power to Z in the next faze of his career but this was really not the time to pull a stunt like this.

'Nuff said

by mrod on Jul 9, 2006 5:02 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I agree with oaktoon

Have the A's brought in players that know what to do with a bat and are not health risks? No they have not and Zito must be sick of the zero offense he gets. He has been nothing but class for this organization and they seemingly wrote him off before the season started. I would love to believe in the Easter Bunny and Tooth Fairy and think that these guys play for the love of the game but it is a business, and a huge one, after all. There is little loyalty in any business anymore (which is very sad!) so Barry needs to look out for himself. I wish him nothing but the best and will miss him. I think the A's will lose a large part of their soul when he leaves.

Baseball is life. . . at least that is what my sweatshirt says.

by 0R0H0E on Jul 9, 2006 10:10 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

again

I agree with Z looking out for himself, that I don't have a problem. What I dod take issue with is the timing of the move:Was it really neccessary to come out with "I'm Scott Boras and I"m gonna make Barry fucking Zito fucking filthy rich!!!!" {And fuck the Oakland A's and their fans??) In the "middle" of the season?

If it were up to me or you or anyone else that values a Zito in your rotation for years to come, then of course "we" would have locked him up long ago....or at leadt that ssems to be the common sentiment.

But that's not the reality of the situation and it just really sucks that it had to come to this kinda bullshit for Barry Zito to feel secure about his "future". That, is my point............

by mrod on Jul 9, 2006 10:31 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

whoops

I meant "what I do take issue with"......sorry about that.

by mrod on Jul 9, 2006 10:33 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

if the A's suddenly...

offered Zito a 10-year, $253 million extension, would he think twice about that offer because, well, he doesn't get much run support here? That's completely irrelevant. What's relevant is $$$ and the opportunity to pitch for a big-market team. Oh yeah, and he's Republican, if you want icing on the cake.

Where I step a weed dies.

by Cutthemullet on Jul 9, 2006 11:26 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

My take

I wasn't a huge Zito fan until I met him. I mean, I liked him, but he definitely wasn't my favorite. Then I met him, got a chance to talk to him, and I decided that he was higher up on my list.

I'm really baffled and really annoyed he made this move. It doesn't really say a lot for him.

Mostly I'm just disappointed. I really wanted the Z back. There's not much chance now and it makes me very upset. I think Z belongs on the A's. Even if he runs off with tons of money to some other team, I will always consider him an A, even if I get royally pissed at him for signing with said team.

I'm also trying to figure out what the hell BB plans to do with the starting rotation without Z and Harden, who really just needs a gravestone, since it's hard to imagine he might actually finally pitch for a season. I see a future of horrible experiments and developing prospects. It's not very sunny there. :(

I'm just...a wee bit frustrated at the moment.

"I've heard the hangovers are worse." -Zito on high altitude

by Squeaky on Jul 9, 2006 5:12 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I miss Rich Harden.

by Jennifer on Jul 9, 2006 10:45 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Who?

"I think some mental has creeped in there." ~ Ron Washington

by Poppy on Jul 9, 2006 10:47 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Exactly.

This is depressing.

I'm so disgusted right now that I don't even want to comment about this any more than what I said yesterday. It wouldn't be pretty, and I'm pretty sure I'd get a couple of strikes against me.

I wish Barry the best of luck, whatever happens.

by Jennifer on Jul 9, 2006 10:57 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Also,

it wouldn't be fair of me to comment because nothing different has happened. Boras isn't coming out saying Zito wants 30 bajillion dollars and a pony or anything. Yet.

by Jennifer on Jul 9, 2006 11:09 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I hope the pony eats all of Barry's fugly ties

"I think some mental has creeped in there." ~ Ron Washington

by Poppy on Jul 9, 2006 11:19 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

bbg is going to have a fit if Zito tries to take

Loos with him.

"I almost landed in some lady's lap, which was kinda fun.'' -- Swish

by Sharon on Jul 9, 2006 12:15 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

This changes nothing

Zito was never coming back.

This probably does hurt the team's chances of trading him (because Boras will want an offseason bidding war), but the A's probably didn't plan to trade him unless they fall apart in the next few weeks.

I don't see the point in acting all betrayed because Zito signed with Boras. This is a business decision. Boras has a well-documented history of getting big money for his clients, although that sometimes means the players end up in less-desirable situations. This is Barry Zito's year to cash in, and he wasn't going to do it with the A's.

by bear88 on Jul 9, 2006 11:02 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I suppose, bear88--

If someone marries a hooker I guess you may as well just "wish them the best" and go on with your life.

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Jul 9, 2006 11:41 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

or if they marry a "leach"

a refrigerator full of fresh blood would make a lovely wedding gift..........

by mrod on Jul 9, 2006 12:04 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Why Zito might be making a mistake

Boras is a great agent if you want the maximum amount of money and don't care where you play. He's not so great, always, if you're thinking of other factors (personal comfort level with your new team and the like). Plus, there are teams that basically don't want to deal with Boras, which eliminates those options.

by bear88 on Jul 9, 2006 3:07 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

yes

Signing with Boras eliminates a lot of teams, I had always thought he would got to San Diego but I don't think they are into the type of money Boras asks for. Correct me if I am wrong but didn't Beltre, Rodriquez and Park all have Boras as an agent.
If I was a GM I wouldn't touch any Boras client, I don't think he has ever worked out very well.

by china bob on Jul 9, 2006 4:34 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I will remember

Zito's years with the A's with most fond memories. He was a good player and even though, he made me hold my breath a little too often for comfort when he pitched...I enjoyed watching him. I wish him much luck wherever he plays. (Unless it is in the AL West).

by IM4Oakgal on Jul 9, 2006 11:09 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Goodbye surfing, hello yachting!

that Zito would stick with the A's, this news proves that he is a goner...there won't even be an offer from the green and gold. Of course whatever he is offered could be matched by Fisher out of the petty cash drawer.

This also completely changes my impression of of Zito. Arn Tellem is not chopped liver. Boras in the middle of a contract year? Enjoy that premium subscription to the Robb Report, a pocket full of sterling silver Tiffany guitar picks engraved with #75 and Hasselblads in the Christmas stocking.

Can't wait to hear his spin on the move (no wife and kids to feed or school districts to choose, not to mention a winning team and fun clubhouse) and BB dancing around the Boras issue.

by southofcruiseamerica on Jul 9, 2006 11:44 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I'm with ya there...

I also cannot wait to hear Z spin this one. Too bad I cannot be at his next home game to hear Z become the first home town team member to get boo'd for changing his agent. As it should be since Arn actually has some honor for an agent, whereas Boras insists on proving himself to be a Boor Ass!

by AAAAAces on Jul 9, 2006 11:48 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Zito's TRUE plan

Making Boras your agent makes it so the chances of Z being traded this season are SLIM - both the amount of suitors, and what they're willing to give up knowing they'll have to sell out Boras-money to resign him. Thus, BB will most likely not be able to find a "F'in A" trade, and decide to keep him.

Then when the season is over, Z fires Boras as his agent, rehires Arn, then signs a hometown-discount with the A's!

.
.
.

I like to dream.

by Kaiser99 on Jul 9, 2006 12:12 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

This move stinks!

Scott fucking Boras?????????/

Boy, for someone who insisted that he wanted to stay in Oakland, Zito is now assuring himself of never being an Oakland Athjletic ever again and also making himself look like "just another greedy bastard".

I still think that the A's should have made him an offer this past spring and it did not happen so now this is what we get, right?

Honestly, though, I think it is a classless move on Zito's part to pull a stunt like this in the middle of the season.....disappointing and certainly disheartening.

by mrod on Jul 9, 2006 12:13 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

a part of me wishes that billy would trade zito

to the pirates. of course a bigger part of me doesn't want that because i want the A's to win.

"I thought it was cute," Oakland's Nick Swisher said of Kotsay's blast with the petal-colored bat

by larrysgurl on Jul 9, 2006 12:18 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

You know who gets the biggest F-U from Barry here?

His former agent.

Can you imagine being with the guy as he gets to the top, and just before your biggest ever payday, he ditches you for Boras?

That's an asshole move to everyone involved. Us included.

"I smell like a meadow." - Yuniesky Betancourt

by Ozzz on Jul 9, 2006 2:41 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Sympathy for the agents

I don't remember how long Tellem has been Zito's agent.

But I don't really care about Tellem. I doubt he's scrounging around, looking for his next meal.

Players change agents all the time. I'm sure Tellem has been the beneficiary of such switches at other times.

by bear88 on Jul 9, 2006 3:03 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Wow.

That is all.

"June is such a great month. They just should rename it Oakland." ~ Kyli

by AsGirl on Jul 9, 2006 3:11 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Sounds ironic...

Being that I am a Boston fan as well as an A's fan I can only recall what happened LAST SEASON with Johnny Damon saying "I'd rather retire before I played in New York" and where the heck did Damon end up? Exactly. Who IS his agent...none other than the devil himself, Scott Boras. I'm not saying Z is anything like Damon but there is some mysterious force when it comes to working with Boras. Who knows though, maybe Z will have a heart and stay in Oakland.

"He definitely talks the talk, but I think this year he's walking the walk as well." --Huston Street on Nick Swisher

by osuSwisher on Jul 9, 2006 3:54 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Scr*w it,

I dont understand why I am encouraged to make as much money as I can on the free market, but Barry and other athletes have to take a pay cut and stay with a company who does not value them as highly as the highest bidder would, or be considered *ssholes. I would love it if my boss came in and told me that he was going to offer me less money than other competitors, but that I had to stay out of loyalty. That seems like a cheap emotional trick to get me to take less than I am worth. If the psychic capital of playing in Oakland is worth it, then the players should take that into account. They are the best judges of the value of a clubhouse and a uniform and a city. Mr. Mcgwiore took a tremendous pay cut to stay in St. Loius. to him, considering the money adn the fans, it was the best offer. Well, Z can decide that too.

One of the reasons I work my *ss off at work is to make a nice payday. let Barry enjoy his. He has earned it.

That said, I will never ever, have the heart to watch him pitch again in another uniform. And if he plays for New York I will boo him until he is in a wheel chair. I am rational, but not soul dead.

by mikedaviswhereareyou on Jul 9, 2006 5:42 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I don't get it

First: Barry is NOT COMING BACK: he wasn't coming back even if he was his own agent. It doesn't matter. The A's have to want to give him the dough and he won't get it from us.

I think it's evident we are not gonna sign him. Zito may be fine with signing for 10million a year, or 11 a year, but the A's have to do it! I think it's evident Z knows it's not gonna happen.

So at that point, why not go for the money and a contender? I mean, if he wants to stay with the a's but they don't want him, why not pit the NY teams against the LA teams and go with the best deal? Why not? I have nothing against that move.

Now if the a's were already "talking" to Zito about a deal, then this WOULD be a an "f" you to Oakland. But as it stands - Oakland has made NO attempt to talk to Barry in regards to signing another deal - and all you hear is Beane talk about how hard it's gonna be for Oakland to sign Zito. The last time I heard that - it was Tejada. Remember what happened? No offer - Miggy to O's = end of story.

There is nothing wrong with Barry, he's a nice guy and at times he's a brilliant pitcher. But overall, his health is his biggest asset and I don't think he's worth the dough he'll get, but I wish him the best and he should go for his, he's earned it.

by asch on Jul 10, 2006 9:03 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs