MLB Trade Rumors: Why the Giants Must Trade Barry Zito as Soon as Possible

Once again, Barry Zito is off to a good start.

And once again, Barry Zito will be cooling off. 

Zito, the richest man on the San Francisco Giants, is off to a good start this year. He has a record of 5-3 and an ERA of 3.24, but after his last start, that should continue to skyrocket.

The southpaw has just 41 strikeouts and he also has 30 walks. He has a WHIP of 1.30 and has allowed five home runs in his last five starts. I'm guessing that's not what Zito wanted.

Nonetheless, he is off to a good start and the Giants are 5-3 when he's on the mound. However, there is need for a change in San Francisco.

Matt Cain, Madison Bumgarner and Ryan Vogelsong are dominating this season. All three have either eight+ wins or an ERA below 2.50. While Tim Lincecum has struggled mightily this year, the Giants have someone to replace him, if needed.

They don't have anyone to replace Zito, unless San Francisco wants to see Brad Penny pitching for them.

While Zito may not have much trade value, there are teams desperate for pitching. Injuries have sidelined a lot of pitchers this year, including Jered Weaver, Roy Halladay and Brian Wilson.

Zito is a veteran who has pitched a lot in his career. While his trade value may not be as high as it once was, there should be at least one team who would be willing to trade for Zito.

San Francisco needs a shortstop and would benefit from another pitcher and first baseman, so the Giants definitely could trade Zito and get something good back in return.

Shortstops like Jhonny Peralta, Starlin Castro and Jed Lowrie could be possible trade targets for the Giants. The Cubs want to win now, and Zito could give them a season and a half of good pitching in return for Castro. However, the Giants would likely have to give up a minor league prospect.

If the Giants sent Lincecum down to the minors, Eric Hacker would come in and start. The Giants should skip one or two of Lincecum's starts and call up Hacker, who would start.

Hacker did well in his lone start this year, giving up three runs in six innings. If the Giants are satisfied with his performance they should put him in the rotation and take out either Lincecum or Zito. If not, they should send him back and give Lincecum a few more chances.

If Lincecum does well and starts to pitch like the two-time Cy Young winner he is, the Giants must put Zito on the trade block. The Giants could call up Brad Penny and let him start a game or two, and see if he's fit for the rotation.

Or the Giants could trade for another starting pitcher.

Whatever it takes, the Giants must trade Barry Zito. His huge contract is killing the Giants, and while his pitching has improved, he is most likely headed for another bad year.

And to avoid him hurting the Giants any more, San Francisco must trade him as soon as possible.