Home MLB Zito and the Mets

Zito and the Mets

by Matt Smith

As an Oakland fan, the Barry Zito sweepstakes is almost a non-event.  Not long after we got tanked by the Tigers in the ALCS it was basically accepted that Zito had pitched in the green and gold for the last time.  He’s not coming back to Oakland and therefore in many respects I’m not fussed where he goes.  Rumours of strong interest from divisional rivals (Rangers and Mariners) as well as our Bay Area neighbours might make me somewhat nervous of our former hero joining a deadly rival.  But when it comes down to it, Zito’s going to be a Met.

This public dating game is all very nice.  The Mets flying to a summit in California. Scott Boras (him again!) allegedly whispering about proposed $100 million deals from other teams.   Each side posturing and bargaining.  Really it’s just like two thirteen year olds eyeing each other up at a party, with everyone else in the room thinking “just bloody well get on with it”!

The Mets are a strong outfit already but they need another starting pitcher and have the financial resources to splash out on the free agent market.  Zito wants a fat contract (which he’ll get from the Mets), a chance to win the World Series (the Mets are as good a bet as any), and a chance to boost the “Barry Zito brand” (which he’ll get from New York).  It’s a perfect match and both sides know it.  Zito in a Mets uniform is about as guaranteed as any potential deal gets.

And if I’m wrong?  Well that will probably mean Zito’s wearing  a Mariners/Rangers/Giants uniform and I’ll be far more annoyed about that than having my prediction skills publicly squashed.

You may also like

Leave a Comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.