A year and a half ago, Giants management somehow convinced fans that signing the 28-year-old lefthander to a seven-year, $126 million deal was the best move the team could make.
Now, in the midst of a dreadful 2008 season that has witnessed veterans fall out and rookies unable to play at the next level, sits the $126-million-dollar man, Barry Zito—and his 0-8 record, something which has angered Giants fans.
Let us go back to the offseason before the 2007 season to explain the circumstances surrounding the signing. At the time, Zito was the only number-one starter the Giants, along with multiple other clubs, could even consider signing.
To lock this ace up required a large amount of money, especially when competing with teams—like the Mets and Rangers—willing to fork over large contracts. At the time, the Giants were still thinking about making a run at the postseason, hoping that Zito would be the answer to get them there in Barry Bonds' final year in a Giants uniform.
Back to 2008. We stand in May, 48 games into the season, with the Giants sitting at 19-29 and Zito yet to earn a single victory. It took an 0-7 start, an ERA over 7.50, along with fan complaints on the radio, to finally prompt Giants management to relieve him of his duties and demote him to the bullpen. But the Giants continued to lose anyway, and he is back on the mound as the number-one guy.
Zito's last three starts have provided Giants fans with some hope, as his ERA has dropped all the way down to 6.13—throwing 16 innings and allowing just seven runs. While these numbers are nowhere near what an $18 million dollar pitcher should be throwing up, his start in Florida tomorrow will be the test of whether or not he is capable of being the Giants' ace.
Zito has pitched decently in his last few starts, but not quite well enough to convince Giants fans that he is their guy. Tomorrow night in Miami, as the Giants take on the hot streaking Marlins, all eyes will be on Zito—partly because the rest of the team is nothing to look at, and partly because of what is expected of him.
As Zito goes against one of the younger, tougher-hitting clubs in the league, we will finally be able to tell just what he is capable of doing.
3 comments Last one added about 1 year ago — Leave a Comment
Tub Vang about 1 year ago
Barry Zito deserves to be on that mound pitching. Even though he has been horrific this season compared to last year he is still the ace. What many dont realize is that in his first 9 starts for the Giants this season, they have only managed a meager 1.44 runs for him, which has resulted in 8 losses and a no decision. Compare this to Tim Lincecum, who has an average of 4.4 runs of support. Thats 3 whole runs more then they are giving Barry!!
Also in those 9 starts this season for Barry, he has had to pitch against, Brad Penny, Ben Sheets, Kyle Lohse, Brandon Webb x2, Edison Volquez, Phil Dumatrait, Roy Oswalt, and Mark Buehrle.
If Lincecum's pitcher duels were worth mentioning, Id mention them. Would Tim Lincecum have the same result he is having right now, if he was on the mound pitching against the Majors best pitchers? The Giants offensive production say no. They cant seem to hit ACE pitchers.
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Marcus about 1 year ago
It's kind of sad to see this happen to Zito.
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Evan Aczon about 1 year ago
Although Zito isn't getting the run support, it isn't easy to win when the opposing team is outscoring by a bunch of runs. I've been very supportive of Zito and hope that he regains his form. But Lincecum is truly more of a dominant pitcher right now. Don't take away from what he's done.
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