Barry Zito

by Virus on Jan 18, 2012 5:00 PM EST

Tim Lincecum recently filed for 21.5 mil through arbitration. There is no denying that Lincecum has been one of the best pitchers in the game over the last few years and the Giants are expected to attempt to sign him long term. A long term extension could cost the Giants roughly 22-30 mil a season depending on whether Lincecum is willing to take a team friendly deal or want his market value. The Giants are also notorious for having one of the worst offenses in the league, and with some much potential payroll locked up in Lincecum, the question is where are the going to come up with the money? Barry Zito will cost the team 39 mil over the next 2 season, with a 7 mil buyout. Zito has not lived up to his contract and I am curious as to all your opinions as to

1. whether we would want Zito?

2. If so, what should the Pirates be willing to give up?

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of the managing editor (Charlie) or SB Nation. FanPosts are written by Bucs Dugout readers.

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Can’t believe I’m going to answer this. I should probably step away from the keyboard at this point. Barry Zito was and still is one of my favorite pitchers. I’ll be honest, I still think he has it in him to go out and perform.

The issue is how much would the Giants eat if we made a trade. If its anything over 7M then why not just take the buy out. So to play along, what would it take to get Zito, well I wouldn’t give up much more than a C+ prospect at this point as we are taking on a heavy salary and pretty much doing them a favor of giving them more money to spend on offense that they need.

Thats what she said! - Michael Gary Scott

by C Shint on Jan 18, 2012 5:09 PM EST reply actions

his BB rate hasn’t gone up much since going to SF and his K rate has dipped a bit. Other than last year he has pitched at least 180 Innings. I’m not entirely sure what exactly happened after he got that fat contract. Maybe he got his money and kinda gave up or was Oakland that much more of a pitchers park?

Thats what she said! - Michael Gary Scott

by C Shint on Jan 18, 2012 5:12 PM EST up reply actions

I'll go a step further

And compare Zito to a guy already rumored to be a possibility for Pittsburgh: A.J. Burnett. Both were pretty good pitchers, both signed big contracts, and both became pariahs because of those contracts. Both guys are signed through 2013 and would require that their teams eat a significant portion of their salaries. Burnett’s been more consistent recently (Zito’s injury that you mentioned limiting his work last year) and, at the same price, I’d prefer him. Zito doesn’t seem like a horrible bounce-back play, either, and is a year younger; I think either would be an upgrade in Pittsburgh’s rotation.

Am I reading Zito’s contract status correctly? The buyout is for the 2014 season? It seems unlikely to vest (conditions for vesting: 200 IP in 2013, 400 IP 12-13, or 600 IP 11-13), so I would assume that SF is already thinking of dishing out the $7 million in two more years. I think there would have to be some serious contract-eating from San Francisco as he’s slated to make $46 million over the next two years (including the buyout). That’s an insane amount of wrangling to get rid of a guy.

by SuperBaes on Jan 18, 2012 6:04 PM EST up reply actions

Yeah

no chance they eat the $35m it would require to move his contract.

by Mr. E on Jan 19, 2012 2:30 AM EST up reply actions

unless they want Alfonso Soriano or Jayson Werth

by Mr. E on Jan 19, 2012 2:31 AM EST up reply actions

by Trogluddite on Jan 18, 2012 8:35 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs

I was eleven years old. And when I was strong enough, I dedicated my life to the study of fencing. So the next time we meet, I will not fail. I will go up to the six-fingered man and say,

________________________________
Free your ass and your mind will follow.

Follow @cocktailsfor2

by cocktailsfor2 on Jan 19, 2012 7:22 AM EST up reply actions

No.

Should the Pirates keep Neal Huntington?

http://www.bucsdugout.com/2011/5/16/2174135/poll-should-huntington-be-retained

by Kosstic518 on Jan 18, 2012 9:28 PM EST reply actions

to answer your question, for the most part I have liked what NH has done. I am not expecting a 90 win team, but if things fall into place I could see 80-82 wins

by Virus on Jan 18, 2012 10:39 PM EST up reply actions