2011 Oakland Athletics: Bring Barry Zito Back Across the Bay

I know it sounds crazy, but is it that crazy?

An article released today in the San Francisco Chronicle cited various internal sources that said the San Francisco Giants are prepared to release Barry Zito or attempt to buy out his contract before Opening Day.

While the Giants are on the hook for the $64.5 million still remaining on his deal, would it be such a bad thing to bring him back to Oakland? Certainly not at full price, but if the A's offered a potential fifth starter, let's say Brandon McCarthy or Josh Outman, in exchange for Zito.

If the Giants were willing to pay all but $3 million per year, plus a potential $7 million dollar buy out in 2014, might it be worth the A's while? If you think not, see why the Giants should hold on to him.

Getting Zito would bring the A's a veteran pitcher, familiar with the AL; it would give Barry a fresh start in a familiar setting; it would bring another prodigal son back to the A's; it would let Giants fans stop griping about his contract; and it would let the A's pay Zito peanuts to beat up on the Texas Rangers, one of his all-time favorite opponents.

The short of it all, Barry Zito does not pitch like a 126 million dollar man, but he is still a quality major league pitcher.

There would be no complaining if he was paid $6 million/year to deliver a 4.00 ERA and a 12-12 record. The fact of the matter is that the Giants have a phenomenal pitching staff which, until this year, they haven't really had to pay for.

Lincecum and Cain are both great bargains while Sanchez and Bumgarner are both practically free. To pay for Zito, when the others outperform at a much lower cost, seems crazy.

Remember that when Zito was signed, he was projected to be the ace of the Giants staff. A lot of sour grapes over his lack of performance can't change the fact that Barry Zito is probably one of the best fifth starters in baseball.

Acquiring Zito and paying him $9 million over three years still seems like a reasonable proposition. He would provide veteran leadership that is currently shouldered by Dallas Braden. He would also be a reliable innings eater despite any walk totals.

He is a rock, injury wise and has never missed a scheduled start. He can constantly deliver a 110 pitch, six-inning outing.

Last year, he started the season with a 7-2 record and a 3.10 ERA until a lack of run support and a few poor outings drove his ERA to 4.15 and a 9-14 record by season's end. 

Although his numbers have certainly decreased since he moved to AT&T park, the Giants have not exactly been willing to provide him much run support. Of 76 pitchers who reached 100 or more innings last season, Barry Zito received the 65th most run support. Of the Giants five starters, Zito received the lowest at 5.28 runs per nine innings, Sanchez received 7.87 for comparison.

With adequate run support, it's feasible to surmise that Zito would probably have posted a record similar to Sanchez's 2010 season (13-9) albeit with Zito's elevated ERA.

The A's, should they acquire Zito, would enter 2011 with five proven starters, each able to pitch deep into games given the necessity and baring injuries, would have a very competent shot at the AL West title.

Given that Zito has been a very solid playoff pitcher, his experience would likely pay dividends to the less experienced pitching staff.

What will happen? Only Barry Zito knows, though he probably doesn't either.