T.R. Sullivan reports Rangers out on Zito, Zito likely heading to San Fran

by Adam J. Morris on Dec 28, 2006 10:03 AM CST in News

T.R. Sullivan is reporting that the Rangers have been informed Barry Zito will not be signing with Texas, and quotes a source as saying that Zito will be signing with the Giants.

Weird decision by Zito. Good fit with the park there, and obviously he likes the Bay Area, but San Fran has the look of a team that, once Barry leaves or craters, is going to be bad for some time to come.

Winning, it would appear, isn't a top priority in this case.

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Winning

Getting a huge pile of money could be called winning. If he gets $100 million from the Giants and doesn't have to pack up and move to do it, more power to him.

I'm guessing that the last sentence in TRS's report means the Ohka suggestion by Joel Sherman was bogus.

by t ball on Dec 28, 2006 10:07 AM CST reply actions

Didn't he say he was "looking for an ........

owner who saw eye to eye with him about winning Championships" ?

How many Championships do you see the Giants winning over the next 5-6 years?

Hell, over half their players will be eligible for the Senior Tour by then ! Maybe shuffleboard Championships !

by tklawless on Dec 28, 2006 10:52 AM CST up reply actions

Well, if he's right, at least we can quit ...

... all the b.s. of waiting.

by Athos on Dec 28, 2006 10:09 AM CST reply actions

Whatever

I'll be curious to hear what the contract is.

However, I don't want to hear all the complaining about how the Rangers should have gotten him after pitching in the NL inflates his numbers.

Texas Rangers: baby step to 2007. Baby step to 2007.

by WyoRanger on Dec 28, 2006 10:12 AM CST reply actions

inflated numbers

Well, I certainly don't see the Giants winning a lot of games next year, with or without him. And with that geriatric defense behind him, his numbers might not be so good.

by t ball on Dec 28, 2006 10:14 AM CST up reply actions

Wait, he's going to give up the glamor of NYC

The shows, the stores, Park Square and move to cold, windy San Fran? Ohhh boy the NY papers must be going nuts over this. How dare Zito turn down an opportunity to advance his acting and music career with the mighty Mets for a team that didn't make even the playoffs last year.

Goes to show, Zito is only about the money, we must pity him.

by Taylor on Dec 28, 2006 10:13 AM CST reply actions

Can't Blame Zito

for wanting to stay close to home. I am sure the Giants offered enough moeny to make him comfortable. The real problem is with the Rangers who once again lose out on a quality pitcher for their rotation. Zito was a perfect baseball fit for this team IMO. Without any other impact players out there via FA the Rangers are left with trade options to improve this team.

Would anyone trade Lee, GMJ, Eaton, Wells, DeRosa and Barajas for Cat, Gagne and Lofton in terms of baseball talent? Sure there is money involved but the issue is talent. The Rangers are apparently unwilling to pay for top talent and therefore left to try to compete on the cheap.

When will Hicks and JD stop trying and start doing what is neccessary to build a championship team? I know my tickets are not getting any cheaper but fail to see the payroll go up accordingly.

Call me a jaded Ranger fan.

by Bigfan16 on Dec 28, 2006 10:13 AM CST reply actions

Huh?

"Would anyone trade Lee, GMJ, Eaton, Wells, DeRosa and Barajas for Cat, Gagne and Lofton in terms of baseball talent? Sure there is money involved but the issue is talent. The Rangers are apparently unwilling to pay for top talent and therefore left to try to compete on the cheap."

Who out of Lee, GMJ, Eaton, Wells, DeRosa, and Barajas is "top talent?"

Lee's a good, not great hitter. GMJ and DeRosa are career utility players coming off their one good year. Eaton's an injury-prone underachiever with a worse ERA+ than Benoit. Wells is OK, but at this point, I wouldn't take him over McCarthy or Tejeda. Barajas is an OBP-challenged slugger, and the Rangers have a better, younger option at catcher.

Meanwhile, JD has signed Kenny Lofton, one of the best leadoff guys of the last 20 years; Eric Gagne, who when healthy, was the best closer in baseball, and Cat, a consistent 300/360/450 guy. No, I don't think Lofton or Gagne are as good as they once were, but they're certainly both bigger "name" players than any of the guys Texas let go.

by RCCook on Dec 28, 2006 10:50 AM CST up reply actions

RCCook my point is

that the base of talent has not improved this off season for the Rangers. Yes I understand and support JD on Lofton over GMJ, not overpaying for Lee, Laird over Barajas, etc. What I am not pleased with is the lack of success in adding to the talent pool this off season. Cat vs. Derosa can be argued and IMO are about equal. Gagne is a nice addition but not enough by himself.
The McCarthy trade was solid but makes the point that getting talent in trade will cost you talent. Signing a FA will cost you draft pick(s).
Money that was (wisely) not spent on Lee should have been to money whip Zito IMO. Zito was a perfect fit for this rotation and would solidify the rotation for years. Without him we are looking at Millwood (true top of the rotation guy), Padilla (Solid vet) and three youngsters trying to establish themselves in the bigs. That is a bit thin for my liking.

The Rangers failed to follow up earlier wise decisions by not getting Zito. It was wise to save the money and let the FA's walk but the money saved should have been spent on a Zito type FA. It was not.

In terms of pure baseball talent I do not see how the Rangers have gotten better this off season. As far as the payroll goes... I once again expect to see the Rangers in the below average range for MLB teams despite the market they play in.

by Bigfan16 on Dec 28, 2006 11:07 AM CST up reply actions

Better

in CF, RF, C, and two rotation slots.

Not to argue hotly about your despair, but outlier seasons by GMJ and DeRosa don't make for career stardom. I count 5 improvements, four of them price/performance breakeven or better.

by Ed Coffin on Dec 28, 2006 11:19 AM CST up reply actions

JD has done fine on the price

part of the P/P ratio. I would like to see some of that savings be reapplied to the performance side in other areas and Zito would have been my first choice.
5 improvements? Care to elaborate.
CF - Even on talent lower cost. But still short term due to Lofton's age. Plus
Pen - Gagne is IMO just what the pen needed. A proven vet to stablize talented and youthful group. Plus
C - Improvement by subtraction.
Util - Cat vs DeRosa debatable.
Rotation - I like McCarthy and Tejeda but we need more help here.
Offensively: Lee, GMJ, DeRosa, will be missed. We are getting thin in this dept.

Just my thoughts.

by Bigfan16 on Dec 28, 2006 11:26 AM CST up reply actions

Be glad to see it.

Probably would have cost us 6/100+ and he'll probably not be worth to close that in 3 years.
Even better that he is going to the NL.

SF's probably a good place for his teddy bears and Pink Pillows.

"Strippers dude, I tell you, I really respect the cunts now. . . I'm not gonna lie to ya." - Voice of Her Generation, Lindsay Lohan.

by DJCahill on Dec 28, 2006 10:13 AM CST reply actions

McCarthy and Tejeda

The success of our rotation next season will depend solely on the performance by McCarthy and Tejeda. We know what we're getting with Millwood and Padilla, we just have to hope (like always) that these guys are legit.

"My theory of hitting was just to watch the ball as it came in and hit it." --Tommy Lasorda

by BReed on Dec 28, 2006 10:17 AM CST reply actions

I wouldnt bet

that we know what we are getting with Padilla. Consistency hasnt been his main strength.

"Strippers dude, I tell you, I really respect the cunts now. . . I'm not gonna lie to ya." - Voice of Her Generation, Lindsay Lohan.

by DJCahill on Dec 28, 2006 10:19 AM CST up reply actions

That's what we're getting

He may get bombed here and there, but he should give us 15 wins and a bunch of innings. Not to mention, with our pen, all of our starters can go 6 innings every night and the pen can close it. Everyone says the fastest way to go from pretender to contender is through the pen. The Rangers are about to test that theory.

"My theory of hitting was just to watch the ball as it came in and hit it." --Tommy Lasorda

by BReed on Dec 28, 2006 10:28 AM CST up reply actions

Padilla

I'm a huge fan of his. He only made 20 and 27 starts in 2004 and 2005 due to injury. The rest of the time he's been quite good.

http://tinyurl.com/vxkvz

by Dustin on Dec 28, 2006 2:17 PM CST up reply actions

Strange move, if he wants to be a legacy pitcher.

SF has an interesting top 3 in its rotation: Cain, Zito, Lowry. With Roberts and Winn in the OF, maybe they'll play an extreme OF configuration in which both guys shade to left, leaving about 10 square feet for Bonds to cover.

I was glad Morris went to SF last year rather than the Rangers. Who knows.... I might be glad about Zito being there as well.

by rooster on Dec 28, 2006 10:34 AM CST reply actions

Zito's mental strength

Does it worry anyone else that such a weird guy or a "flake" if you will, would've lost his edge if he came here in TBIA and gotten shelled?

"Did that blow your mind, because that just happened"

by MATEO LEG on Dec 28, 2006 10:38 AM CST reply actions

No. I would be more concerned

with the Rangers ability to cover left center.

by rooster on Dec 28, 2006 11:35 AM CST up reply actions

follow up...

i ment that millwood had the idea that all he has to do is outpitch the other pitcher and the ballpark is the same for both. is it possible he is fragile mentally??

"Did that blow your mind, because that just happened"

by MATEO LEG on Dec 28, 2006 10:40 AM CST reply actions

Just a wild-ass guess

but somehow I think Zito is not "fragile" mentally. He's pithced in about seven straight stretch runs and four (five? no fact-checking) years in the playoffs.

by a bebop a rebop on Dec 28, 2006 11:16 AM CST up reply actions

Heck

I don't know him, but his content and tone when interviewing here seemed well grounded to me.

I don't believe the flake description applies. He does have preferences for how he lives and spends his time.

by Ed Coffin on Dec 28, 2006 11:21 AM CST up reply actions

I guess "fragile"

may have been a bit strong. i just wonder if he pitched outside his comfort zone of california and his laid back lifestyle, would he be affected.

"Did that blow your mind, because that just happened"

by MATEO LEG on Dec 28, 2006 12:39 PM CST up reply actions

Zito's Contract Details

SI.com is reporting that Zito will sign with the Giants for 7 years and $126 million!

I'm glad the Ranger's didn't sign him for that much!

by GhettoBear04 on Dec 28, 2006 11:11 AM CST reply actions

I'm thrilled to death

we weren't in on that if thats the winning bid.

"Strippers dude, I tell you, I really respect the cunts now. . . I'm not gonna lie to ya." - Voice of Her Generation, Lindsay Lohan.

by DJCahill on Dec 28, 2006 11:13 AM CST up reply actions

Holy crap

If that's true, USS Mariner better make an adjustment to his 10 worst FA signings.

Texas Rangers: baby step to 2007. Baby step to 2007.

by WyoRanger on Dec 28, 2006 11:21 AM CST up reply actions

Gammons

Peter Gammons just reiterrated the same numbers of the contract. That is insane and glad the Rangers didn't do it.

by brian mac on Dec 28, 2006 11:22 AM CST up reply actions

How does Boras do it?

If that 7-$126 million number is legit? It's shocking. Were teams really pushing things up to that level?

Never sign a Boras client.

(And don't yell Millwood, his deal isn't over yet).

by 3Bagger on Dec 28, 2006 11:27 AM CST up reply actions

Boras

Man that guy is good. You have to respect a guy that started off in the $100 - $105M range and gets $126. I would hate playing poker with him.

by Bigfan16 on Dec 28, 2006 11:35 AM CST up reply actions

I don't blame him

If I could afford it, there's no place I'd rather live than SF and northern California.

Props to JD and Hicks for the way they handled this one.

Kind of strange how this one played out. The Giants didn't really enter the picture until the 10th hour, in the news anyway. I wonder if they were players all along, or Sabean was given some extra money to play with after they decided to re-sign Bonds. And I'd love to know whether he ever seriously contemplated coming here.

I seriously doubt we end up lamenting this in a couple of years...

Penalty Box? DONT THINK SO!!!!!!! And i wish everyone could stop writing that crap cause its gay...SUPER GAY!!!! NYTXfan!!!

by Brian Thomas on Dec 28, 2006 11:22 AM CST reply actions