Barry Zito, the San Francisco Giants No. 1 starter in the rotation, the supposed ace of the staff, and the second highest paid pitcher in the history of the game, is suddenly washed up!
The problem is that the Giants have him signed through 2013. Including this year, we’ve got six more seasons where he will make a total of $111.5 Million. Gulp!
The line on Zito so far this season is pretty pathetic to say the least. He is 0-6 in his six starts this season, with a 7.53 ERA, 15 walks, 11 strikeouts and has given up 30 runs. Lefties have hit .348 off him and righties have hit .333. He’s averaging only 4.2 innings per start and taxing the bullpen every time he takes the mound.
So, it’s time to look at our options. I’ve compiled a list of the top 6:
1) Send him to the bullpen to see if he can figure out his location problems.
2) Skip his next start and give him some extra work with Rags on the side.
3) Pull off a miraculous trade and dump at least a portion of his salary. (Who am I kidding)
4) Option him back to the minors where he can regain his confidence.
5) Force him into an extended stay on the DL citing an arm problem.
6) Cut ties and eat the $111.5 Million we owe him.
Honestly, every scenario here makes my brain hurt. I can’t stand the fact that we are even talking about this subject to begin with. But, since we’re in the situation, we’ve got to put our GM hats on and figure out what we can do.
Although I would like No. 3 to happen, I know that no team out there in their right minds will trade for him. So, if it were me, I would do No. 1. We can’t afford to run him out there every fifth day and blow the game.
We’ve got to do what is best to help this ball club win, and keeping Zito in the starting rotation is not the answer. So, I ask you…what would you do?
comments (2) write a comment »
write a new comment
5 months ago
I understand the frustration with what is going on with Zito. This guy has the potential to be the ace of any staff. One thing I will say is that there may be more going on with him than what we know as fans. I remember when John Smoltz looked horrible in 1991, it turned out to be more mental than anything. Some fans here in Atlanta called for his head on a platter because he was an obvious flaw in an otherwise stellar rotation. He saw a sports psychologist, got some focusing techniques and now he has 3,000 Ks. At one time, Glavine went through a very lukewarm stretch where he was unreliable; turned out that he was pitching with a broken rib.
My point is that the SF management and/or Zito are probably the only ones who really know what the issue is. A major league pitcher of his caliber just doesn't become a AA pitcher.
Based on what they know, they should obviously try something different because what they are doing now isn't working. If it's mechanics, they may want him to do some rehab in the minors. If he's playing with an injury, they'll obviously want to take steps to repairing it. If it's pitch selection, they may want to try a new catcher. If it's arm fatigue (unlikely this late in the season), they may want to rest him with small throwing sessions. If it's a personal problem, they may want to have a serious talk with him and show his career is in jeopardy- and assist him in dealing with it.
The Giants obviously wanted him and his big league hook on their staff. They are not about to throw that invstment money away. If it is a mental issue, I think sending him back to the minors with that condition will make things worse as the more disciplined AAA batters would most likely shell him.
Just an opinion!
5 months ago
I have an idea - eat half his salary and trade him to the Mets.
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/20828-Can-the-Pitching-Starved-Mets-Save-Barry-Zito--010508
write a new comment