Barry Zito: Back To The Oakland Days
With Barry Zito set to get the start on Sunday against the Los Angeles Dodgers, we might just be seeing the Zito of old. After winning his first two starts of the 2010 season, Zito stands at 2-0 for only the second time in his career. The two wins, alongside an ERA of 2.25 ERA look pretty but there is more than that as evidence that Zito might have finally turned the corner as he enters into the fourth year of the seven year contract he signed with the San Francisco Giants in December 2006.
A 31-46 record alongside a 4.56 ERA and an average of under 190 innings a year doesn't look too horrendous but when you're a former Cy Young winner and being paid $18 million per year then it is nowhere near an optimal rate of return for a smaller market team like the Giants. But look under the surface and it's not all bad. Last year he posted a FIP of 4.31 which is an improvement on both 2007 (4.82) and 2008 (4.72). The turnaround of Zito's fortunes isn't simply the two starts this year but ever since last year's All Star break – since then (including this year) he has had 17 starts with a 7-4 record and a 2.76 ERA over 98 innings. The W/L might not seem a good return, but remember this is the San Francisco offence – in that period there have been ten starts where Zito didn't get the win and in seven of those the Giants scored two runs or fewer.
Whether this is down to the fact that Zito has regained some speed on his pitches (in 2009/10 his fastballs, sliders, curveballs and changeups are all at least 2mph faster than in 2007), he is maturing as a pitcher or he is no longer bogged down by the pressure of his contract now he is with a staff full of star pitchers we will never know. He is certainly no Tim Lincecum and in all likelihood he may not have a season where he justifies his salary but Barry Zito isn't as bad as you think Barry Zito is. And maybe he can be an oracle to the youngsters in San Francisco like he was in Oakland.
Reply With Quote
Originally Posted by Mudcat
damn it Muddy.
