Giants' $126 million long reliever

Posted: Tuesday April 29, 2008 06:58AM ET

One year and one month into his seven-year contract, Barry Zito has become the most expensive long reliever in the history of baseball. The man who leads the majors in starts the past eight seasons will miss his turn in the rotation for the first time in his career. Zito, who's 0-6 with a 7.53 ERA, was told by Giants manager Bruce Bochy before Monday night's 4-0 win over Colorado that he'll work out of the bullpen in the immediate future, and he accepted the demotion with reluctance but without protest.

San Francisco Chronicle

Barry Zito , AP

Barry Zito , AP

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"he accepted the demotion with reluctance but without protest."

Yeah...kinda difficult to argue your point when you have a season start like that sitting on your shoulders!

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For $126 million, I'd pitch wherever and whenever they told me to.

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The guy can barely survive three innings per start and is giving up about 2 runs per inning. Bullpen duty is only gonna show just how bad he really is.

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What a waste of money this guy was for the Giants, he wasn't anything special when he played for the A's and is just as bad now.

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Its the CURSE of ALYSSA MILANO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Exhibit A- Carl Pavano
Exhibit B- Barry Zito
C? Whoever she's schtoopin' right now

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whew...glad the Rangers were outbid. Sounds like the Caucasian version of Chan Ho Park.

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Alyssa Milano??? Man, I'd take my chances with the curse.

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Alyssa Milano??? Man, I'd take my chances with the curse.
Field Marshall Sunny Day | 04/29/08, 09:35 AM


FMSD:

Can you confirm your long lasting affair with Dr. Joyce Brothers?

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Funny how the Giants got rid of Barry Bonds because of the distraction he was. They could use anything right now to distract the on-field effort. Brutal. As a Lifelong Giants fan it is hard to watch.

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Cold showers for FMSD.

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On second thought, maybe he can explain Clemons to everyone.

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Angelo I agree 100%. I love how as soon as Bonds leaves everyone says how much better they are. Well looks like they let the wrong Barry go. Wow and only 1 year into his contract. After going to tons of Giants trips it is sad to watch now. I guess like they say be careful of what you wish for.

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I meant tons of Giants games.

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I would love to make fun of the Giants...but wow...I really feel bad for them. That Zito deal could, and maybe should, cost Sabean his job. They could eventually be better off pulling an A-Rod style swap, offering to pay him $5 or even more million per just to play for another team that will take him on.

Its sad.

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I think the Zito signing may go down in history as the worst FA deal ever. This may trump Hampton's deal.

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Will he find his missing velocity in the bullpen?

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The Giants would be better off just chucking him in the bay.

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EVERYONE PLEASE CLICK "REPORT VIOLATION" WHEN YOU SEE CRAP LIKE THE POST FROM "VICKILEEE" ABOVE.

On another note, Zito blowing up is going to remind every GM how risky it is to spend big money on a free agent pitcher. Santana should be very happy the ink on his deal dried before the season started, because it may be the last long-term $20+ million pitcher's contract we see for a long time.

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Thank you, FN.

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The Giants are really good at signing washed up pitchers to long term deals with a ton of money...first there was Matt Morris and now Zito! hahahahaha

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