Zito to the Gnats

[HollywoodLeo]

More innings and a better ERA is an improvement either way you slice it and with Cain only to improve makes our rotation stronger. Plus a healthy Morris and Lowry does the trick as well since they were both hurt last year.

Cain, Morris, and Lowry would be in the rotation with or without Schmidt and therefore don't factor into the difference between the 2006 Giants rotation and the 2007 Giants rotation.

This line of argument is like saying the Padres wouldn't be hurt by trading Jake Peavy for a bag of doughnuts because Chris Young would still pitch great.

And i've already said it is an improvement....just not a 126 million dollar improvement.

[BoSox34]

I agree that had the Giants been able to retain Schmidt and still somehow signed Zito would be the only way to say that the staff got significantly better. Zito is still an upgrade over Schmidt, but not a significant one unless you use the players age as a huge factor. I do agree with Hollywood that to me the slight improvement wouldn't be worth $126 million, but the point is the overall rotation will only be slightly better and even if Cain comes into this season and wins 20 games, the rotation overall still wouldnt be as strong as if you had both Schmidt and Zito to go along with Cain, Morris, and Lowry. Basically Zito is Schmidts replacement, and as I and others have said, the upgrade isn't that significant IMO to warrant such a contract.

[FmrFresnan]

I don't disagree that Zito is better than Schmidt, I just don't think he's $126m better. I don't think Zito makes the Giants better, that's just my opinion. They still haven't inked Barry Bonds and they're not exactly a younger team than last season, I just don't see Zito making that big of a difference from last season.

[HollywoodLeo]

I thought they already resigned Bonds.

[love_that_reefer]

Well you guys are looking at this 100% wrong. Zito is only making $2.4 million more than Schmidt per year. The Giants got a younger, better and more reliable front man. I do agree that the Giants aren't that much better because of it this upcoming season due to the terrible signings by Sabean (Roberts, Feliz, Klesko, etc.). Zito is in his prime as Schmidt is on the deline. Zito almost has as many wins as Schmidt and five years less experience.

[love_that_reefer]

I thought they already resigned Bonds.

Bonds still hasn't signed. They haven't agreed on how much money will be deferred.

[HollywoodLeo]

I still think Schmidt should've signed with the Padres so that he wouldn't have to pitch against them anymore.

[FmrFresnan]

I thought for sure Schmidt would be heading to Seattle because he grew up there. I never would have thought he was going to stay in the NL West. I guess money talks louder than home towns huh?

[OBBoltsFan]

You said they should've signed him for less than he signed to play for San Francisco and insisted that he would've accepted it had they only made the offer.

Your logic is highly flawed.

Edit: I'm still waiting for that link.

Zito often talks about his love for San Diego, therefore I'm imagining he would have signed with us for cheaper; if not, I'd still give him that exact same contract also considering that it will probably be a bargain in three years from now when every good pitcher is getting paid at least 20 million a season.

[HollywoodLeo]

Only OBBF would refer to a 126 million dollar contract as a "bargain"

And Zito may love the city but he wouldn't sign with the Padres if they didn't offer the same thing the Giants did or more.

And, if the Padres offered the same thing he wouldn't have signed it. Why? Because Boras would've called up Sabean and told him Kevin Towers was offering the same thing in an effort to drive up the price even more.

[FmrFresnan]

Only OBBF would refer to a 126 million dollar contract as a "bargain"

And Zito may love the city but he wouldn't sign with the Padres if they didn't offer the same thing the Giants did or more.

And, if the Padres offered the same thing he wouldn't have signed it. Why? Because Boras would've called up Sabean and told him Kevin Towers was offering the same thing in an effort to drive up the price even more.

Hollywood is right OBBOLTS. Yes, Zito grew up in San Diego, but he's a Boras guy and they don't take "hometown discount" contracts. He's also right about Boras driving up the price had KT offered Zito the same amount. Also, Keith Law of ESPN.com called it a "horrible contract" both for the amount of years and the dollars. This isn't going to work out for the Giants, not for 7 years.

[love_that_reefer]

Time will tell on that Fresnan. Who the **** is Keith Law and why should we care what he thinks? You guys forget that Zito lives in San Fran.

[padrefanforever]

Zito often talks about his love for San Diego, therefore I'm imagining he would have signed with us for cheaper; if not, I'd still give him that exact same contract also considering that it will probably be a bargain in three years from now when every good pitcher is getting paid at least 20 million a season.

We probably don’t need to tell you that the Giants overpaid for Barry Zito. But understanding just how and why Zito was overpaid is revealing.

www.baseballprospectus.co...red/?p=123

This was posted on another site....but is an intersting read if you really want to know why Zito was vastly overpaid and this isn't a good deal from that perspective....

[padrefanforever]

144M dollar bargain Yah in what world....even today Kevin Browns insane contract isn't a bargain, and how many years after the fact has it been ? This was a terrible contact....great p/u for the Giants, but brutal contract....Zito will very likely see all 8 years....so talk about it for what it is.... $144M

[HollywoodLeo]

Everyone knew Zito was going to be vastly overpaid, it was only a question of who was going to do it.

I think it was a good p/u for the Giants, but it is a big gamble that he will be productive and healthy for those 7 or 8 years.

If it works out for them then it's not that big of a deal. If it doesn't they have a major albatross on their hands that they'll be looking to trade to someone just to get the payroll room back.