Zito gets a Giant contract
By Herald wire services
Friday, December 29, 2006 - Updated: 02:44 AM EST
The Bay Area’s other Barry is the new face of the San Francisco Giants - now and well into the future.
Barry Zito and the Giants reached a preliminary agreement on the largest contract for a pitcher in baseball history, a seven-year, $126 million deal.
Zito joins the Giants three weeks after the club agreed to a one-year, $16 million contract with slugger Barry Bonds for a 15th season.
Zito’s father, Joe, and publicist, Kathy Jacobson, confirmed the deal, while the Giants were waiting for the left-hander to take a physical today before making it official. San Francisco plans to introduce the three-time All-Star next week.
“I think it’s a very good fit,” Joe Zito said. “I am respectful of the owners who came forward and would believe in Barry to such a degree.”
Zito, the 2002 AL Cy Young Award winner with a nasty curveball and eccentric personality, never has missed a start in his career and is eager to help the Giants become a contender again.
“It’s a huge piece of the puzzle as far as solidifying our rotation,” fellow Giants lefty starter Noah Lowry said.
Zito will lead a rotation that features Matt Cain, coming off a strong rookie season, Lowry and Matt Morris.
Zito’s agreement, reached late Wednesday, includes an $18 million option for 2014 with a $7 million buyout that could increase the value to $137 million. He has a full no-trade clause.
