Barry Zito Signing Reactions From 2006
On December 28th, 2006, the Giants signed 28-year-old lefty Barry Zito to a seven-year, $126MM contract with a full no-trade clause. At the time, it was the largest deal ever for a pitcher. Keep in mind that if Zito's 2014 option vests, his contract will end up paying $137MM. Henry Schulman and Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle wrote that the Mets and Rangers were among four teams willing to go to seven years. The Mariners were also known to be in the mix.
Zito's first three seasons with the Giants have resulted in 568.6 innings of 4.56 ball. Even if the option doesn't vest, Zito will still earn $83MM over the next four seasons. It's safe to say this is one of the game's worst contracts, but let's see what people were saying at the time of the signing.
Rob Neyer, ESPN: "Based on the facts at hand, this looks to me like one of the dumber free-agent signings ever. Zito just isn't very good."
Jerry Crasnick, ESPN: "Except for his durability, Zito is not the personification of a staff ace…Still, when proven injury risks such as A.J. Burnett and Gil Meche receive five-year, $55 million deals, there's something to be said for taking the ball."
Keith Law, ESPN: "Zito should be billed for all the ink and electrons spilled over him in the last eight weeks, since the sports media seems to have fallen for the spin that he's actually some sort of ace pitcher, when in fact he's just a durable mid-rotation guy with good marketing…That's a guy you want to get into for seven years and a gazillion dollars?"
Joel Sherman, New York Post: "It is hard to criticize the Mets for not giving Zito the richest package ever for a pitcher, which is what it would have taken to sign him. There is no better predictor of durability for a pitcher than a track record of durability, which Zito has. But as one AL executive said, 'durability is finite and you always have to ask when it ends.'"
Ken Davidoff, Newsday: "In [the Mets'] sights, they had a pitcher who would have cost them only money. Who fit the team in so many ways, when there seemingly are no similar alternatives. And they whiffed."
Ben Shpigel, New York Times: "Zito will make the Giants a more formidable club in 2007, which is almost certain to be Bonds's last season in San Francisco. Assuming that Bonds breaks Hank Aaron's career home run mark next season and then says goodbye, the Giants could take the $16 million they are paying Bonds and reroute it to Zito's salary slot. In that sense, the money the Giants are paying Zito is not that outrageous."
Murray Chass, New York Times: "The Giants can boast all they want about Zito's durability, his six successive seasons of more than 200 innings and 34 or 35 starts, his history of never having been on the disabled list or even missing a start. It's still a dumb contract."
Phil Rogers, Chicago Tribune: "Yes, it's rather optimistic to give a 28-year-old lefty with diminishing stuff $18 million a year for seven years. The question isn't whether the Giants will rue making that commitment to Zito, but how quickly will it become apparent that Scott Boras did it again?"
Tracy Ringolsby, Rocky Mountain News: "Why on Earth would the Giants shell out a seven-year, $126 million contract for free agent Barry Zito? Zito's a nice pitcher, but he's a middle-of- the-rotation guy. The only No. 1 starter on the free-agent market this offseason was Jason Schmidt, and the Giants let him go."
I didn't offer much opinion on the deal, but here's the MLBTR thread from the signing in case you want to read the comments.
Offseason Outlook: Colorado Rockies
Next up in our Offseason Outlook series, the Rockies. Their likely commitments for 2010:
C – Chris Iannetta – $415K+
C – Paul Phillips – $415K
1B – Todd Helton – $16.6MM
2B – Clint Barmes – $1.625MM+
SS – Troy Tulowitzki – $3.5MM
3B – Ian Stewart – $404K
IF – Omar Quintanilla – $408K
LF – Carlos Gonzalez – $403K
CF – Dexter Fowler – $401K
RF – Brad Hawpe – $7.5MM
OF – Ryan Spilborghs – $415K+
OF – Seth Smith – $403K
OF – Matt Murton – $430K+
SP – Ubaldo Jimenez – $1.25MM
SP – Aaron Cook – $9MM
SP – Jorge de la Rosa – $2MM+
SP – Jason Hammel – $422K+
SP – Jeff Francis – $5.75MM
RP – Huston Street – $4.5MM+
RP – Franklin Morales – $402K
RP – Matt Daley – $400K
RP – Taylor Buchholz – $1.055MM+
RP – Manny Corpas – $2.75MM
RP – Matt Belisle – $850K
RP – Randy Flores – $650K
Other obligations: Yorvit Torrealba – $500K, Alan Embree – $250K
Non-tender candidates: Garrett Atkins
The Rockies have about $63MM committed before arbitration raises to Iannetta, Barmes, Spilborghs, Murton, de la Rosa, Hammel, Street, and Buchholz. It would not be surprising to see the raises put the Rockies close to $80MM. They entered 2009 at $75.2MM according to Cot's Baseball Contracts, so there's not much to spend this winter.
While the Rockies may have limited resources, GM Dan O'Dowd doesn't have much to do besides perhaps signing a late-inning reliever. Rafael Betancourt could be the guy; it's believed the Rockies will offer arbitration to the Type A free agent. O'Dowd has also said he's interested in re-signing Jose Contreras and Joe Beimel to bolster the 'pen. The rotation looks strong, with Francis coming back from shoulder surgery to replace Jason Marquis.
The Rockies also appear set at all positions, though the two-year offer made to Yorvit Torrealba indicates they're not completely comfortable with Iannetta behind the dish. Atkins' Colorado career is over; O'Dowd is now just trying to get anything in return before the December 12th non-tender deadline.
The Rockies have a surplus in the outfield, as they might be best-served with an affordable trio of Smith, Fowler, and Gonzalez. That O'Dowd has more than $5MM to spend tells us that either the team's payroll is going up, or Hawpe will be traded. However, while it seems that the Rockies will listen on Hawpe, they won't shop him. Once source of Ken Rosenthal and Jon Paul Morosi indicated a few weeks ago that the Rockies would seek "a right-handed-hitting outfielder and a reliable seventh-inning reliever" for Hawpe. The Cubs, Mets, and Red Sox could be potential suitors, though the Cubs' plan to move Kosuke Fukudome back to right field might take them out of the mix.
It looks like a quiet offseason for the Rockies – O'Dowd figures to look into potential Hawpe trades and otherwise tinker with the bullpen and bench. Management will still have their hands full with the multiple significant arbitration cases.
Jermaine Dye Open To First Base
Free agent Jermaine Dye is open to playing first base, according to Ken Rosenthal and Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports. Dye's played one game at the position in '05, but teams are asking anyway. He played four games at first in Triple A back in '98.
The FOX writers speculate that Dye could make sense at first base for the Braves, Mets, Giants, and Orioles. Getting Dye out of right field would certainly improve his value. He's been quite bad for at least four years, and that's a sample of nearly 5,000 innings.
White Sox Sign Omar Vizquel
1:22pm: The signing is official, according to MLB.com's Scott Merkin.
MONDAY, 12:13pm: Levine says Vizquel will sign a one-year, $1.375MM deal with the White Sox today.
SUNDAY, 10:37pm: The White Sox offered Vizquel a one-year pact worth about $1MM, writes Dave van Dyck of the Chicago Tribune.
FRIDAY, 3:10pm: Bruce Levine of ESPNChicago hears that the White Sox are close to a deal with Vizquel's representatives. Levine notes that the White Sox offered Vizquel a long-term deal before the 2005 season only to see him sign with the Giants.
10:59am: Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports tweets that the White Sox are close to a deal with free agent shortstop Omar Vizquel. He says it'd be a one-year deal and Vizquel would serve as a backup.
Vizquel, 43 in April, hit .266/.316/.345 in 195 plate appearances for the Rangers this year while playing shortstop, second base, and third base. He earned $1MM.
Joe Mauer Named AL MVP
Twins catcher Joe Mauer was named the American League MVP today, according to a team press release. Mauer was a near-unanimous pick for first place, with Miguel Cabrera getting one vote (from Keizo Konishi of Kyodo News). Mark Teixeira and Derek Jeter placed second and third in the voting; Cabrera fourth. The AP's report notes that Mauer gets $100K for the win and Cabrera $200K for his fourth-place finish.
The BBWAA's site has the full voting. Hey, there's Placido Polanco!
Marlins To Keep Jorge Cantu?
MLB.com's Joe Frisaro has a source suggesting the Marlins are "almost 100 percent" certain to retain infielder Jorge Cantu. Cantu is due an arbitration raise on this year's $3.5MM salary, and the Marlins "appear willing to pay."
Dan Uggla, the team's other arbitration-eligible infielder, will earn more than Cantu next year. Uggla is widely expected to be traded, with ESPN's Jayson Stark writing Thursday that the Giants and Rangers were hot and heavy on Uggla at the GM Meetings (November 9th-11th). However, Giants GM Brian Sabean told Henry Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle Thursday that no trades were close.
Mets Considering Jack Cust?
We have considered A's DH/outfielder Jack Cust a non-tender candidate for some time. Today, Adam Rubin of the New York Daily News writes that Cust is indeed "expected to be traded" before the December 12th non-tender deadline.
Rubin says the Mets are "believed to have considered" acquiring Cust, while Seattle "may be the most likely destination" and the Rangers "may have interest."
As Rubin says, the cost for Cust figures to be low. For one, the A's have to trade him if they want to avoid paying him more than $3MM next year after an arbitration raise. Second, DH types are plentiful.
Obviously the Mets would see Cust as a left fielder. Cust played 401.6 innings in right field this year and 585.6 in left last year, and the UZR/150 defensive metric was not kind. Offensively, Cust is known for his propensity to homer, strike out, or walk. His line slipped to .240/.356/.417 in his third full season.
Trade Market Series
We've finished our position-by-position Trade Market series:
- Catchers
- First basemen
- Second basemen
- Shortstops
- Third basemen
- Left fielders
- Center fielders
- Right fielders
- Designated hitters
- Starting pitchers
- Closers
- Lefty relievers
- Righty relievers
My challenge to you: create the best possible lineup, rotation, and bullpen out of players you believe actually will be traded this offseason.
Trade Market: Righty Relievers
Finishing up our Trade Market series, today we'll take a look at righty-relievers (those not covered in the closer post). We've already seen a few right-handed relievers dealt in Jesse Chavez and Aaron Heilman, with the latter deal more predictable.
- Dan Wheeler, Rays. If the Rays prefer a change at the back end of their bullpen, they could deal Wheeler and free up $4.5MM. The 32-year-old displayed fine control this year but allowed 11 home runs in 57.6 innings.
- Zach Miner, Tigers. Miner is arbitration-eligible for the first time, so the Tigers could trade or non-tender him to save money. On the other hand, Miner still won't be too expensive and the Tigers may lose Brandon Lyon and Fernando Rodney to free agency.
- Manny Delcarmen, Red Sox. Delcarmen, 28 in February, is another first-time arbitration player. The Nationals offered Nick Johnson for him in May, and the Red Sox turned it down. Delcarmen struggled as the season wore on, posting career-worst strikeout, walk, and groundball rates. Ramon Ramirez and Daniel Bard appear capable of handling Boston's right-handed setup duties.
- Kyle Farnsworth, Royals. With $5MM and one year remaining, Farnsworth will only be moved for another bad contract. He posted a strong strikeout rate in his Royals debut season, but he was hittable and missed time with a groin injury.
- Juan Cruz, Royals. With $3.75MM and one year left, Cruz's contract can also be considered a burden. Strikeouts disappeared while his control issues continued; a shoulder strain may have been a factor.
- Scott Linebrink, White Sox. Linebrink still has two years and $10.5MM left on his deal. This year his home run problems continued, while his control worsened and hits were plentiful. He lost his set-up role in August. The White Sox are losing Octavio Dotel from their 'pen, but now have Tony Pena for the entire year.
- Seth McClung, Brewers. An October tweet from McClung indicated the reliever feels his time with the Brewers is up. This year he was homer-prone and posted 40 strikeouts against 39 walks in 62 innings while dealing with an elbow sprain. He's likely to be non-tendered if not traded first.
- Manny Corpas, Rockies. Corpas is owed $6.5MM over the next two years. His peripherals were decent this year, but he had a 5.88 ERA and multiple elbow surgeries to end his season. He'd have to prove his health to make a trade possible.
- Santiago Casilla, Athletics. Casilla is a non-tender candidate after posting a 5.96 ERA in 48.3 innings. He missed time with a knee injury and posted lousy peripherals.
Mariners, Tigers Trade Talks Stall
Trade talks between the Mariners and Tigers have stalled, according to ESPN's Jerry Crasnick. Edwin Jackson and Curtis Granderson have been discussed, but Crasnick's source finds a deal "pretty doubtful." Crasnick indicates that the Mariners were never terribly interested in Granderson, but did like Jackson. The asking price is simply too high at present.
Crasnick says many feel Tigers GM Dave Dombrowski is trying to sell high on Jackson, who posted a 3.62 ERA in 214 innings this year. Jackson is only 26, and he did improve both his strikeout and walk rates (6.8 K/9, 2.9 BB/9). Some are dinging Jackson for his final eleven starts, over which he posted a 5.83 ERA with a 6.0 K/9 and 3.1 BB/9. If you are an xFIP fan, that stat had Jackson at 4.58 this year. XFIP presumably wouldn't factor in at an arbitration hearing, however, and Jackson is due a pretty big raise on this year's $2.2MM salary.