The Five Stages of Grief
Barry Zito will no longer wear green and gold. I knew it was coming. I knew we were going to lose Z to some other team that was willing to seriously overpay for his services. Oh and overpay they did. Zito will don the Halloween uni of those clowns from across the Bay for the next seven years and $126 million bones.
I have such mixed feelings about this because I hate the Giants. Not as much as the Angels and Yankees, mind you, but I can't stand that team nonetheless. It was the Giants and their media whore KNBR that initially prompted me to start Athletics Nation. I was so tired of hearing about that team that I wanted somewhere that was Giant free.
Yet here we are full circle whereas I'm discussing the Giants on my haven for A's fans only. Still when the news struck me I found myself feeling those five stages of grief...
Denial: He CAN'T be signing with the Giants. Not that team. It can't be true. We can't be hearing the Giants dingleberry announcers (Jon Miller excluded) talking about Zito for 35 starts, can we? Is this happening? I'm dreaming and it's Vida Blue reincarnated...
Anger: I still hate those Giants. They're old, uncool and decrepit and yet they suddenly made themselves seem much cooler. I can't stand Zito for being money-grubbing and making it clear that he was going to the highest bidder no matter who it was. ARRRRRRRGGGGHHHHHH.
Bargaining: Well, at least he isn't pitching for the Rangers or the Mariners and is in the National League (which will probably help his pitching stats significantly).
Depression: Ah, forget it, baseball is disgusting and full of money grubbers who have no sense of loyalty at all. I'm done and I'm going back to bed. Please don't wake me up until next November.
Acceptance: Zito is now the enemy. Plain and simple. I've loved the guy for years for that beautiful bender, but he's gone. Forever. He's now tainted orange and black and that's the facts.
Yes, I went through all of that today. It probably would've been a more drawn out feeling had I not known that Zito was already going. The Giants ridiculously overpaid for Zito, but they had to in order to get him and they apparently have the money. And that's the way the market for starting pitching is going, so who knows what kind of contracts starting pitchers will be getting next offseason that might make this contract look small.
At the same time, I'm kind of done with Zito. He's gone to the highest bidder and good for him. But that's his prerogative. It's also mine to decide to forget about the guy. Anyone want a Zito A's jersey cheap?
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177 comments
Comments
I'm ok with it
I won't hold any particular distain for Zito as long as he doesn't pull a Giambi and publicly diss the team, the fans and the city that has treated him so well these last six years.
by OaklandSi on Dec 28, 2006 12:12 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Hmm...
Zito was my favorite player with the A's over the past 7 years, and I'm sad he's gone, but I'm happy that he's going to be pitching close by, and I can go see him on a regular basis if I want to.
I'm not going to go hunting on Ebay for one of those 1989 A's/Giants split caps, but I can't hate the Giants, especially in 2008, when there's only going to be one Barry on the team.
Like I've said in other posts, if you want to get an A's jersey that's going to last, make sure the back says "Beane 11" or "Beane 27" (those were the two numbers he wore in 1989) because Billy ain't going nowhere.
by The Pilots Dared Me To Die on Dec 28, 2006 12:55 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Split caps
I bought up all the ones I could find and burned them.
by gregorymark on Dec 29, 2006 6:42 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Wow oh wow.
by matthias on Dec 28, 2006 12:18 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
I went through a different 5 stages:
by Nico on Dec 28, 2006 12:20 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
don't forget to mention those
by ak_A on Dec 28, 2006 5:30 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
we get screwed on draft picks again
by guy incognito on Dec 28, 2006 12:21 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
It's okay.
DJ was, what, 7th round? Mark Ellis was 9th. Milton was a 2nd rounder, and we have loads of those.
Mike Piazza? 62nd round draft pick.
We have sandwich picks and 2nd rounders aplenty - we'll do fine.
by Ozzz on Dec 28, 2006 12:41 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Then again
The A's "extra" picks come at 35, mid-50's, low-70's and mid-80's. 2007 is supposed to be a deep draft, but picking 80-something with your 2nd round pick might be pushing it.
by grover on Dec 28, 2006 1:03 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
But remember...
In respect of that, I don't see a 1st rounder, a sandwich pick, and a few 2nd rounders as being a bad haul. Especially in a deep draft.
by Ozzz on Dec 28, 2006 1:43 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
That happened in '02
by grover on Dec 28, 2006 3:58 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
money is quite the issue it was in 2002
by guy incognito on Dec 28, 2006 7:16 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
i believe zito...
by AthleticsFanatic4ever on Dec 28, 2006 4:27 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Zito was a first round pick.
"No. It's Oakland."
by Kyli on Dec 28, 2006 4:33 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Zito
by Colorado Fan on Dec 28, 2006 4:47 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
And Jeremy Brown and Mark Kiger
by achiappanza on Dec 28, 2006 5:49 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
That just goes to show
by Nico on Dec 28, 2006 5:59 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
he wasn't in the moneyball draft of '02...
by AthleticsFanatic4ever on Dec 28, 2006 8:26 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Are you sure it mentioned him being in the 9th
It's been a long time since I read the book, but I think it talked about the Zito vs. Sheets issue? And both were first rounders.
"No. It's Oakland."
by Kyli on Dec 28, 2006 8:44 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
i think zito was picked twice
by guy incognito on Dec 28, 2006 10:35 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Here's the important stuff
Zito was a re-draft, meaning he had been drafted before 1999 but did not come to terms.
http://www.baseball-reference.com/z/zitoba01.shtml
by grover on Dec 29, 2006 4:13 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Rich Harden
by apilgrim on Dec 28, 2006 9:50 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Rich Harden, 17th round pick
"No. It's Oakland."
by Kyli on Dec 28, 2006 8:43 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
So why don't we get a first round pick?...
by SinceIwas7 on Dec 28, 2006 12:43 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
because they suck.
by stinkycheese on Dec 28, 2006 1:20 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Impressive, Blez
"It's also mine to decide to forget about the guy"
I'm with you here. Well, as much as I can be, seeing how Zito was never quite my favorite to begin with. He's going to make a boatload of money on a mediocre team. Good for him, blah blah blah. What's next for the A's? That's all I care about right now. Funny how a guy who was so much a part of the team for the last however many years so qucikly becomes a footnote.
by TurnTwo on Dec 28, 2006 12:23 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Gotta agree....
With the A's you've gotta Love the Laundry, Not the Player.
If you love the player, you'll be disappointed in no more than 3 yrs (Chavy's the exception)
by polytician on Dec 28, 2006 12:27 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Zito Jersey
Any suggestions on what I should do with it? Whould I use it to wash the car? polish my shoes? Or just burn the thing, and consider it an offering to the Moneyball Gods?
by polytician on Dec 28, 2006 12:25 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
if it's an L or XL ...
by monkeyball on Dec 28, 2006 12:39 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Or you could...
by Ozzz on Dec 28, 2006 12:42 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Go Johnny!
(Go back in time to 1980 and tell some punk rock kid that in 25 years, Johnny Rotten and Henry Rollins are successful TV show hosts, and he'd hock a loogie in yer eye!)
by The Pilots Dared Me To Die on Dec 28, 2006 12:59 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Or do what I saw a guy do with a Giambi jersey--
by anomaly_kat on Dec 28, 2006 1:01 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
...snakes...
by SF Geoff on Dec 28, 2006 3:48 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Ouch.
by LilAnnieOaktown on Dec 28, 2006 12:25 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
I'm with you on that.
by methodrampage on Dec 28, 2006 1:43 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Oh heck yeah.
by Flyin As on Dec 28, 2006 2:13 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
agree...
by AthleticsFanatic4ever on Dec 28, 2006 4:35 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Stage #6.......
I can't wait to see the A's whoop-up on Z a couple of times of year in the Bay-Bridge series.
What's the sked say? The first time he pitches in Oakland! Imagine the crowd! Z's patented "rough early innings".....Swisher takes him deep for a 3-run job in the 1st! Pandemonium erupts!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sidenote:
Highest paid pitcher ever? What has the game come to?
by Force on Dec 28, 2006 12:34 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
yeah...
But the A's will eat his lunch, taking the curveball low for balls and fouling off the two-seamer. Zito won't get any victories against Oakland this year.
by The Pilots Dared Me To Die on Dec 28, 2006 1:01 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Assuming 35 starts this season...
by FormerHuntsvilleStar on Dec 28, 2006 6:22 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Not exactly
Then again, $18 million a year! Holy crap! Add $16 million for the other Barry. For a lot of teams that's half the payroll right there.
by iglew on Dec 29, 2006 12:02 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
I'll take the Zito uni......
On the other hand, a fresh start in a new league without the DH may be just the ticket to re-start the clock on his trick pitch of a hammer.
No matter what happens, Scott Boras is THE MAN! Why would any free agent-to-be ever hire any other agent? $40MM more than the next highest bidder? Say goodbye, Brian Sabean.
by BleacherDave on Dec 28, 2006 12:35 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
It's not that Boras is the man..
They paid about $8m more for another year of Bonds than anyone else would have offered, even though nobody else was interested enough in the guy to say so publicly.
And here, they've paid about $4m a year more than Texas offered - and Texas are usually the stupid spenders.
by Ozzz on Dec 28, 2006 1:45 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Got over it long ago
-Nick Swisher
by kaweahkaweah on Dec 28, 2006 12:40 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
that's exactly how i feel
by xbhaskarx on Dec 28, 2006 3:48 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Three words:
Wait, is that three words or four?
by Ozzz on Dec 28, 2006 12:43 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
ahh
by methodrampage on Dec 28, 2006 1:46 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
I dont see him as an enemy at all...
by OaktownPower on Dec 28, 2006 12:45 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
A's / Giants
Living in Colorado, I was glad to see Zito sign with the Giants. It will be fun to tell my Giants buddies, "I told you he wasn't worth the money." As they monitor their heart rates with every Zito start.
Zito is the most frustrating pitcher in the Bigs, and he was only making 8-Million this season. I can't imagine how frustrating it will be when he's making 18-Million per season.
ACE, Zito is Not.
by Colorado Fan on Dec 28, 2006 1:20 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
I just never saw why...
by OaktownPower on Dec 28, 2006 1:25 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
I'm as puzzled by it as you are
by achiappanza on Dec 28, 2006 1:32 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
I can tell you why I hate the Giants.
And the fools who bow to him like he's a god, even though he wouldn't waste spit on them if they were on fire.
And stupid management. And Rotating Name Ballpark.
by Ozzz on Dec 28, 2006 1:47 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
hate
by achiappanza on Dec 28, 2006 2:49 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Um...
by Ozzz on Dec 28, 2006 4:53 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Aliens hate Barry Bonds Too!
And this was in November!
by The Pilots Dared Me To Die on Dec 29, 2006 8:57 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Do you still talk to Esteban much?
by Ozzz on Dec 29, 2006 1:39 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
It's about splitting the market
It wasn't always this way. At one point, the A's were the ones with the better stadium, way more star power, and way more attention (and attendance!) in the area. Some of us long for those days, and blame the Giants (as well as the A's ownership groups) for the decline.
by oblique on Dec 28, 2006 2:51 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
When were those days?
Two Words: Crazy Crab
by Colorado Fan on Dec 28, 2006 4:51 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
the late 80's....
by BleacherDave on Dec 28, 2006 9:00 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, I was referring to
by oblique on Dec 28, 2006 10:29 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
When "it's" not true
I hate them because they're so bad and we still have to talk about them.
If Barry "wanted to win," he picked the wrong team. 15 wins -- tops. And that's if EVERYTHING goes right. The Giants have 100-loss potential.
by Vacafan on Dec 28, 2006 2:59 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Underclass resentment
Part of the San Francisco media strategy is to badmouth Oakland, San Jose, and other cities, as if they have no culture or class, or (in the case of Oakland) that they're full of slums and rapists and you're risking your life just to get off the BART train. They have to; otherwise they couldn't maintain those high SF property values. The Giants are just part of the general pattern. The San Francisco team gets all the attention, because it's San Francisco which is the real city. Oakland is just a dumb suburb, so our team doesn't matter.
That's why I hate the Giants.
by iglew on Dec 29, 2006 12:21 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Absolutely
by FreeSeatUpgrade on Dec 28, 2006 1:56 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Thanks Blez
by oaklandbbfan on Dec 28, 2006 12:46 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Rob Neyer writes...
The ONLY thing this deal does is make the Giants look ridiculous. Granted, Zito's ERA will get a boost from the National League and the Giants' home ballpark. And this one isn't as dumb as the Mike Hampton deal with the Rockies. But based on the facts at hand, this looks to me like one of the dumber free-agent signings ever. Zito just isn't very good. And if he's worth $18 million per season, Santana's worth $25 million
by louismg on Dec 28, 2006 12:47 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
money grubbing? be serious
i don't get the bitterness. he's not the enemy, he's just a giant. personally, if i like a player i tend to keep liking them after they leave. it's not just the laundry for me. i still like watching giambi hit even as i root against his team, and i'll still like watching zito throw the curve. i'll root for him when he isn't throwing it against the A's.
Thanks for the memories Barry -- best of luck to you!
by danh on Dec 28, 2006 12:52 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Really well said...
by OaktownPower on Dec 28, 2006 12:54 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Don't Hate the Player
by ChucklesSD on Dec 28, 2006 1:28 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
I don't hate a guy for leaving.
If it's all about the money, then have the balls to say "I'm gonna get my ass rich, man", rather than "I want to be with a team that can win multiple championships," as you leave an ALCS contender for a group of steroid junkies, over the hill vets and departure lounge inhabitants.
by Ozzz on Dec 28, 2006 1:50 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
another candidate
by carp on Dec 28, 2006 2:07 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
What's to lie about?
by iglew on Dec 29, 2006 12:28 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
just a hunch
by apilgrim on Dec 29, 2006 12:38 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
And this makes it better how?
by Ozzz on Dec 29, 2006 1:33 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Never understood
It's the 26 year old guys who still live at home and have the Giambi poster on the wall that "root for the player." Pick a team. The players come and go, the team stays. That's where you place your loyalty.
Who gives a rip where Zito went? The Giants are really bad without him, and really bad with him. Hope he enjoys going about 14-12.
by Vacafan on Dec 28, 2006 3:06 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
And I never understood the whole
by OaktownPower on Dec 28, 2006 3:17 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Loyalty is dead.
To thine own self be true!
by The Pilots Dared Me To Die on Dec 29, 2006 9:02 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
This is a great signing for A's fans
- He was leaving anyway, so since he was leaving where would you rather he go.
- I hate the Giants as much as I hate any team...
- Now, if you're in the Bay Area like me, you can see Zito pitch for the rest of his career if you want to. You can hear his radio show--an obvious given on KNBR--if you want to. You can read about him as much as ever. Nobody's making you do these things, but you can. He's still around. That's cool.
- He's in the NL. He didn't go to Texas or the Angels or even the Yankees.
- God bless Barry, but it's a truly awful signing. $18 million a year for seven years. That's a nightmare contract. Does anybody fear the Giants will now be winners because of that contract? They've shown they have limited money to some extent. Well, down the road, that contract will limit them more.
by RLangford on Dec 28, 2006 1:02 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
excellent points, RL
But regarding #5, while I agree that the overall $ total is probably higher than it "had" to be, without specific details on (what I would presume to be the likely) backloading of the deal, I don't think we can really say yet whether or just how awful the contract is. If it's significantly backloaded, then the next 2-3 years may just make Z a bargain, and the back end could be under market value if salaries keep escalating. If it's not backloaded and it's a straight $18M per, then, yeah, Z will be overpaid for the next 2-3 years but will be well under market value by the end of the deal.
by monkeyball on Dec 28, 2006 1:13 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
''Under market value by the end of the deal''
by FreeSeatUpgrade on Dec 28, 2006 2:01 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Agree
And it's kinda nice to see that he's taking all that money from the Giants. Good for him. Too bad he won't be seeing a ring anytime soon.
I still can't believe he's a Giant. (I guess I'm still in stage 1.)
by rcb on Dec 28, 2006 1:39 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Thank God
Now when I talk about Barry with my Gnat friends I'll have to be more specific, like Barroids, or Z-Man, or Guitar Man, etc...
by Fongpay on Dec 28, 2006 1:20 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Congrats to Barry, Congrats to A's
But ...
I'm not bothered at all that he's leaving. He's just not that good. He'll beat most of the awful National League teams most of the time, but he'll struggle with average to above average clubs. In short, his stats will look good, and he'll win some games, but he won't be a difference maker. The Giants made a real mistake: who would you rather have, Schmidt or Zito?
And Barry will discover that although San Francisco is an easy market, it is still less forgiving than Oakland. Next time Barry has one of those games when every 0-2 count ends up running full and he then gets up to 96 pitches in the 5th inning ... the media might actually say something. And Barry will come to understand that, however forgiving ATT Park may be, there's not a lot of foul territory, the third baseman and second baseman can't catch the ball, and the Giants bullpen is not what the A's bullpens were. No more Calero to Duke to Street and Barry gets the win.
Remember that Giants fans are still angry at that horrible World Series game 7 pitched by Livan. Imagine what they will say when Barry pitches a game as important as Game 1 of the Championship Series was against the Tigers ... and doesn't get out of the 4th inning, allowing 7 hits and 3 walks while striking out absolutely nobody.
The Giants over-paid.
by solotar on Dec 28, 2006 1:22 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
considering Schmidt's age
I'd sign Zito
by OaklandSi on Dec 28, 2006 1:34 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Bullpen support
by achiappanza on Dec 28, 2006 1:39 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Beane's philosophy is high priced anyone...
But his other philosophy is that you build your ballclub from the back. Closer, set-up guy, rotation, defense, offense. And that's what got us to the ALCS this season.
Which reminds me, where is Oaktoon? I think we're owed some apologies.
by Ozzz on Dec 28, 2006 1:53 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Zito signed a seven-year deal?
by Vacafan on Dec 28, 2006 3:09 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Two words for Zito: Armando Benitez.
On the upside for him, getting rid of Felipe was the best thing the Giants could have done for their bullpen. The closer spot seems cursed, but their middle relief will be a hell of a lot stronger without Felipe physically ripping off guys' arms. Despite the lack of Duke's awesomeness.
"No. It's Oakland."
by Kyli on Dec 28, 2006 10:01 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Alou
by apilgrim on Dec 28, 2006 10:23 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Definitely, Bochy seems like a solid manager.
"No. It's Oakland."
by Kyli on Dec 28, 2006 10:27 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
not even addressing
But on the other hand, it was very recently that Blez wrote to express his frustration with the A's difficulties in expanding their fan base (The Replacements). Why don't the A's get more respect from casual fans? Well, casual fans just saw the A's pulling their pockets inside-out while the Giants signed their free-agent pitcher to a big money deal. Now if only casual fans would read Moneyball, then they might understand that the A's philosophy will keep them competitive in the long-term, bla bla bla. But the casual fans didn't read Moneyball, and so to them the A's just look cheap. Hell--they ARE cheap, that's part of the Moneyball phiilosophy. Thank god it works, or we wouldn't have any fans at all.
by rubin sierra on Dec 28, 2006 1:27 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Well . . .
by bluelightrain84 on Dec 28, 2006 1:33 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Meh.
by Jennifer on Dec 28, 2006 1:37 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
no trade clause?
by OaklandSi on Dec 28, 2006 1:41 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
also reported by
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2006/12/28/sports/s092358S11.DTL
by OaklandSi on Dec 28, 2006 3:22 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Which just means..
by Ozzz on Dec 29, 2006 1:34 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Question
Chavvy and Swish the closest we have right now, but skimming through my mind at A's legends... Rickey, Eck, McGuire, Reggie... it seems like we've never had one guy who has played out his entire career in Oakland. I know this is an extreme rarity that has basically died since Ripken, Gwynn and free agency. But it feels ten times as rare for us.
by JLaff on Dec 28, 2006 1:43 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
A's used to have the highest payroll
by OaklandSi on Dec 28, 2006 1:45 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Don't forget about Brad Radke....
by Masaryk on Dec 28, 2006 6:26 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
I heard about this on
"... storm in Denver... blah blah blah..."
".... Saddam Hussain... blah blah blah..."
"The Barry Zito Sweepstakes... <Held my breath, expecting to hear the Yankees> .... San Francisco Giants...." <Sigh of relief>
I'm not upset by this. At all.
I had been preparing myself for this moment all year long. Maybe the pollyanna in me was still wishing that Zito would be back in green and gold, but the realist in me knew better.
I'll still get to watch Zito pitch. If anything, I'll get to watch more Zito starts on tv than ever before. Plus, when Zito has one of those starts where he can't find the K zone, it wouldn't bother me as much.
Good luck to you, Z! Thanks for the memories.
by AsGirl on Dec 28, 2006 1:49 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Giants fans kill me
by Spidz34 on Dec 28, 2006 1:54 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
That's human nature
by achiappanza on Dec 29, 2006 12:39 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
it's fine with me
I wonder how he'll fit in personality-wise over there... it's not exactly a fraternity, that clubhouse.
by emperor nobody on Dec 28, 2006 2:06 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Has anyone else had trouble working
by carp on Dec 28, 2006 2:08 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
I gave up already.
"No. It's Oakland."
by Kyli on Dec 28, 2006 3:52 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
What about LAUGHTER...
I hope he works on his bunting this Spring.
Good Luck and Best Wishes Z!!
by FlagsFlyForever on Dec 28, 2006 2:14 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
That is gonna be FUNNY...
It is gonna be funny as HELL to see.
"No. It's Oakland."
by Kyli on Dec 28, 2006 3:53 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
HOLY CRAP!!
by athleticsgirl24 on Dec 28, 2006 4:48 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
How much did the Giants overpay?
Or, where the other teams' offers close? Maybe we'll never know.
by danh on Dec 28, 2006 2:17 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Mychael Urban said today
by OaklandSi on Dec 28, 2006 2:21 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Two offers are known
$14m/yr) The Mets are reported to have offered $75 million for five years ($15m/yr).
San Francisco's offer of $126 for seven years (=$18m/yr) added a year and beat the annual salary.
Texas wasn't going any higher. We don't know if the Mets would have gone higher, and we don't know how much Seattle was prepared to offer.
$18 million for one year is what Roger Clemens got last time round, the highest a pitcher has been paid for a single year so far. The Zito offer may have been designed to match that rate.
by iglew on Dec 29, 2006 12:39 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
The Incredible part of this deal
by alox on Dec 29, 2006 1:41 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
holy sh*
by ak_A on Dec 28, 2006 2:25 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Fools
Pac Bell is probably the absolute best park for him (if his OF-ers can step up), but durability is not worth $18 dollars a year.
by dchu on Dec 28, 2006 2:43 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Well it might be worth $18.00 a year :-)
by ChucklesSD on Dec 28, 2006 2:56 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
whatever
by Sharon on Dec 28, 2006 2:44 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
I've been trying to figure out
Sums it up beautifully for me.
by Nico on Dec 28, 2006 2:54 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
I liked Jennifer's "Meh" myself...
by FormerHuntsvilleStar on Dec 28, 2006 6:15 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Feh
by Nico on Dec 28, 2006 7:03 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
You're a bad meh-feh, Nico
by monkeyball on Dec 29, 2006 1:23 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Zito Gone
Now he's gone and we know Beane has done and will do his best to make the A's not only a playoff contender, but more importantly, a contender for the W.S.
by replyto317 on Dec 28, 2006 2:49 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
a few thoughts...
as an A's fan I'm just kind of whatever about it. I knew he'd be gone so it's not shocking at all. Good for him for getting so much damn money and being able to live in the same place.
as a baseball fan I just kind of find it funny that a team would pay that much for anyone. And then that it's Zito is just sort of hilarious. I mean yeah he can be AMAZING sometimes, and I'm really greatful for everything that he did while he was on the A's, but all it takes is the umpire to not call his curveball a strike and he has basically nothing.
It should be interesting.
by drmmerchk on Dec 28, 2006 3:15 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
I'm happy as a crab!
Congrats to Barry. We'll see you in, what, June?
-MVK
by mvk on Dec 28, 2006 3:30 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
It's going to be really
by southofcruiseamerica on Dec 28, 2006 3:39 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Think about it.
by Salvatore on Dec 28, 2006 3:56 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Yeah and who'd
by Salvatore on Dec 28, 2006 4:07 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
i've gone through each of these fives stages
by gotgreen on Dec 28, 2006 4:11 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Zito...
Btw, along with a ton of people, i agree that Zito got way overpaid. Do i see another Mike Hampton coming?
by swisherroks33 on Dec 28, 2006 4:15 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Hampton
Zito's going to another pitcher's park.
by achiappanza on Dec 28, 2006 4:32 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
According to
by apilgrim on Dec 28, 2006 9:54 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Haha...
by Elvez on Dec 28, 2006 4:32 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
LOL
$7 million buyout and full no trade clause:
"Zito's agreement, reached late Wednesday night, includes an $18 million option for 2014 with a $7 million buyout that could increase the value to $137 million. The option would become guaranteed if Zito pitches 200 innings in 2013, 400 combined over 2012 and 2013 or 600 combined from 2011-13. Zito also has a full no-trade clause."
by xbhaskarx on Dec 28, 2006 4:51 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
not-so-bold prediction
by xbhaskarx on Dec 28, 2006 4:55 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
$38 million over the rangers
according to this post at mccovey chronicles:
http://www.mccoveychronicles.com/comments/2006/12/28/13203/608/87#87
"the Rangers made it fairly clear they weren't going to go higher than 6 years/$88 million and the Mets were offering more money but a shorter contract (somethling like 5 years/$75 million). Who knows what Boras said to them -- and this is simplifying how the negotiations probably went -- but apparently the Giants outbid the closest team by $38 million."
by xbhaskarx on Dec 28, 2006 5:04 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Neyer had it right
What the hell do they think they're buying? Franchise stability? Future pennants? Roger Clemens in his prime? Barry won't win any Cy Youngs. He won't be Santana or Pedro or Halladay? He'll be some approximation of the average of his last three years. That's pretty likely. Ask yourself what that's worth. And ask yourself how you felt this last year every time Barry took the hill. You felt good, but you never felt like you had a pitcher going who would dominate. Even Barry's great start against the Twins in the ALCS wasn't dominant.
by RLangford on Dec 28, 2006 7:23 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Against Twins in ALDS, that is
by RLangford on Dec 28, 2006 7:30 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
over the next eight years
by xbhaskarx on Dec 28, 2006 9:35 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
some players that leave the A's...
Hate List:
Jason Giambi
Reggie Jackson
Johnny Damon
Frank Thomas(still respect him greatly but he should have stayed with the A's since they offered him only slight less, rejuvanated his career and gave him a shot at a true WS title(05 w/ the Sox doesn't count)
Dotel(jsut cuz he sucked for us)
Zito(the 1st time i see him in a giants uni...ill never give him respect)
Still fan off:
Miggy
Hudson
Mulder...if he is willing to sign a frank thomas type deal..id love to have him back
Dye
Ricky Henderson...despite flipping between many teams and resurfacing w/ the A's..always liked his play and believe hes the best leadoff hitter in recent history
by AthleticsFanatic4ever on Dec 28, 2006 4:59 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
frank offered 'only slightly less'??
by xbhaskarx on Dec 28, 2006 5:02 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
ok fine...
by AthleticsFanatic4ever on Dec 28, 2006 5:31 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
and that's fine
by xbhaskarx on Dec 28, 2006 5:37 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
in my alternate universe ...
by monkeyball on Dec 28, 2006 5:41 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
so alternative universe thomas
by xbhaskarx on Dec 28, 2006 5:45 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
more Segwayesque
by monkeyball on Dec 29, 2006 1:25 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
If he had wheels..
by Ozzz on Dec 29, 2006 1:39 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
I am glad that he...
Good luck to you, Barry, and thanks for your service to the A's.
by IM4Oakgal on Dec 28, 2006 5:10 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
sbnation quote of the year nomination
"Four years at $16M to $20M isn't the end of the world. It's a drastic overpayment, but it isn't a franchise killer."
Grant on Zito 12/26/06
http://www.mccoveychronicles.com/story/2006/12/26/165711/79
by xbhaskarx on Dec 28, 2006 5:46 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
I don't hate this signing
I am just sad. It is going to be really strange watching him pitch in something other than Green and Gold. That is where my heart is now. I have moved to acceptance, it is a sad state. But I am a Zito fan, so in a sick way, I couldn't be more pleased about this. If the A's can't have him, then at least I still get to see him pitch, even if it will end up being a loss! ;)
by BobbyCrosbysGirl on Dec 28, 2006 6:37 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
well
by whiteshoes40 on Dec 28, 2006 7:16 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
I'm glad I will get to see him!
As an A's fan who attends alot of games, I will see the Giants about 6 times, so I will get to see Curveball Boy allowing home runs and giving free passes to our guys!
Will he wear #75?
AT&T Park is a good park for him and the NL is better for him. Look what happened to Randy Johnson in NY.
The Giants are going nowhere. I thought Zito said he wanted "multiple World Series rings". Not on the Giants, Bud.
I will always remember him coming up big against Johann Santana in Game 1 of the 2006 ALDS. Us A's fans have that 3 game sweep against the heavily favored Twins to remember forever. We broke the 9 clinching game losing streak in dramatic fashion, and the East Coast biased national media had to give the A's some respect.
And then Zito laid an egg in the ALCS.
The Giants won't even go to the postseason anytime soon.
by eriklovestheathletics on Dec 28, 2006 7:38 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
So , if you're out there
by Salvatore on Dec 28, 2006 7:44 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Hah
by achiappanza on Dec 29, 2006 12:42 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah?
by Salvatore on Dec 29, 2006 4:48 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
I'm trying to avoid
by Salvatore on Dec 29, 2006 4:55 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
I'm a free market
by Salvatore on Dec 29, 2006 5:16 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Money follows money
by achiappanza on Dec 29, 2006 8:24 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah...
Yeah, capitalism ROCKS. As long as corporations cannot be considered people.
Wait a minute- this isn't the Supreme Court forum, is it? Moving on....
by mvk on Dec 29, 2006 8:19 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Are you nuts?
by achiappanza on Dec 29, 2006 8:25 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Of course it is
Tell me how many people are buying tickets out of their own pockets, with their own money, and compare that to 25 years ago.
by mvk on Dec 29, 2006 9:46 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
must be nice
must be nice to work every 5th day and get paid $18 million a year! :)
by gotgreen on Dec 28, 2006 9:20 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Every fifth day
But yeah, to work every day and get paid $18 million a year -- still must be nice.
by iglew on Dec 29, 2006 12:47 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
There are two great Universal Truths
1.) The A's will contend for a championship every season. If they are in a re-building phase, it's generally understood that that is not an euphamism for "we suck, and we don't care" by management.
2.) The Giants will forever be consigned to an empty WS trophy case.
Does the Zito signing by the Giants further one of the two truths above? Why yes, yes it does. Here's to the Giants being financially hamstrung for the next few seasons!
by alox on Dec 28, 2006 9:38 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Great, Frustrating A's Career
In my mind, his A's career can be summed up in his last home start, game 1, ALCS vs Detroit.
He mows down the first 8 in the line-up, looks unhittable, dazzling the crowd and giving A's fans the feeling of invincibility. Then the #9 guy steps in. Brandon Inge. Falls behind 2-0. Then Bam. Over the fence. He then gives up a double, RBI, confidence shaken, game over.
I loved the guy and wish him the best. Thanks for all the good times, despite the frustrations.
by CrazierthanYOU on Dec 28, 2006 10:17 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
he's
by doublehustle22 on Dec 28, 2006 11:06 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Thoughts on the Zito deal
- Barry Zito is a good pitcher. He's not going to be a Mike Hampton disaster. Sometimes, as we've all seen over the years, when the curve is working and umpire is calling it, Zito can be a dominant pitcher. By signing him, the Giants improved their team.
- The contract is ridiculous. Seven years for a pitcher? At $18 million a year? I really never imagined he would get that much, even after some of the other pitchers got absurd deals.
- I was reminded, the other day, of what drives me nuts about Zito. In the Chronicle interview, he starts talking about how the team was too satisfied with beating the Twins in the playoffs and that he, too, lacked intensity against the Tigers in the ALDS.
- I will miss Zito's good health, and my general feeling that he would give the team a chance to win in almost every game. I will miss the pretty curve and his generally cool vibe. Zito has been part of the A's revival, and it will be strange, however expected, for him to be gone.
- I will not miss the irritating pitch count watch. Oh, it's the second inning and Zito has already thrown 37 pitches, even though the game is scoreless. That drove me nuts.
- Zito should do well in the National League, at least at first. Their hitters haven't seen him as much, and AT&T Park seems perfect for him. The Giants are struggling now, but are almost always a playoff contender. And once in the playoffs, you know, it's a crapshoot.
- Scott Boras earned his money. Zito stayed out of Texas and New York, places that wouldn't have worked for him. Instead, he remains on the West Coast AND gets paid an absurd amount of money by a team that overbid to get a pitcher who is unlikely to ever match his early-career success.
- I don't really understand the bitterness. We all knew this was coming. And even if the A's could have matched the offer, would you really have wanted Beane to do so?
by bear88 on Dec 28, 2006 11:59 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Well said--all of it
by Thomas Walker on Dec 29, 2006 12:16 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Front page poll...
I'll be in mourning for several days, maybe months. No, not really. I liked watching him pitch for the A's. But I expected him to be gone, and I didn't have that big an attachment to him for me to "mourn."
Meh, who cares? I'll probably vote this, but I appreciate Zito enough to feel more than shrugging my shoulders.
Traitor. He's dead to me. Absolutely not. Him staying in the Bay Area is no shock to me (outside of the the Giants seemingly coming out of nowhere in the bidding).
I'd vote "Good for you, Z. Thanks for the memories, and good luck." Or something like that.
by FormerHuntsvilleStar on Dec 29, 2006 7:57 AM PST reply actions 0 recs
I'd like to see another option, too
I'm incredibly interested to see how Bonds reacts to being the second-highest paid player named Barry on his team. Think Zito can get Bonds to go drop some acid with him?
As an aside, the Giants were responsible for the most positive encounter I've ever had with the police. I think it was '78, I would have been 5, and the Giants issued a special set of baseball cards that you could only get from the police. I got my grandpa to take me to the Hayward PD to get a set. I remember opening the envelope and the first card I saw was Rob Andrews. Those were lean times for the Giants, but they had Vida and they had Stretch. Now, if I show up at the police department, I'm more likely to end up in Guantanamo than get a set of baseball cards. My, how times have changed....
The A's, as much as I love them, have never kept their players around long enough. About the only guy we could name anything after at the new park is Rickey Henderson- and how well would that go over with some of you? I don't just root for the color or the logo, I root for the players, and it's been a rough go the last 30 years, every time you get attached to some player, they're gone, whether it's Rickey or Carney (who they should have had from the beginning) or Hendu or the Bash Brothers or Stew or Giambi or Zito or Huddy... you get the picture. At least we have Chavez- but as good as he is, I'm tired of the "potential" and I want to see that 35 HR, 120 RBI, .300 Gold Glove season everyone says he's capable of. And I want to see someone wear the green and gold every single day of his career. I want us to have a Brett, or a Yount, or a Biggio, or a Yaz.
Does anyone know which player has played the most games for the Oakland A's who never played for another franchise? I'm curious.
by mvk on Dec 29, 2006 8:15 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
different reactions
My 8 year old son, on the other hand...when I got home from work he looked so sad...
by vk on Dec 29, 2006 8:03 AM PST reply actions 0 recs
that's the biggest weakness of the moneyball
by xbhaskarx on Dec 29, 2006 10:03 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Mixed feelings
Positives:
- I knew he was gone and am happy that he is not going to a team in the AL West
- He will still be in the Bay Area media scene so although he will be gone, he won't really be gone.
- I am glad to know that the Giants way overpaid for a pitcher whose skills have been deteriorating and will not be worth Gaudin money by the end of the contract.
- I think this improves the change that the Mets will rekindle talks for Joe Blantion. It sounds like the Mets are willing to back up the loading van for Blanton.
- I have always been a Zito fan and hate to see him go to a team I detest (not as much as the Yankees, but still detest).
- On a baseball purist level, I can't stomache giving any pitcher, even a Johan Santana a 7-year contract. Like the Dodgers' Kevin Brown signing, the Giants will regret the signing in two or three years if not before
by FanfromTexas on Dec 29, 2006 3:41 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
I'll take the Zito jersey!!!
This is a serious offer!
(I browsed through very quickly, but did not see another offer...)
by blueconversechucks on Dec 31, 2006 6:29 PM PST reply actions 0 recs























