Zito Gone

[KazmirFan228]

How do you guys think Zito's abscence will affect the team?:gt

[mlazar]

How do you guys think Zito's abscence will affect the team?:gt

I think it's great that he's gone.. they need to rid this "fraternity house" attitude they've had and start acting like the overpaid professionals that they are...the time is NOW for Harden/Haren/Blanton etc. etc. to stand up on their own... I'm really not sure what the big deal with Zito "was" actually... he was surely durable,but inconsistent from start to start and I can't recall other then his one start against the Twins to ever be a big game pitcher....

[Zito75]

Zito has been less than spectacular the past couple years during the regular season- so I am not really too pissed off that he left. One thing that I would be worried about if I were the Giants- sooner or later Barry will need a rest. He's been WAY durable the past few years but injuires do happen. I wish him luck, but it's time for the A's to try out some new arms.

[En Passant]

Agreed. I thougt he has always been overrated after his Cy Young year. He is a solid pitcher, but not as spectacular as everyone makes him out to be.

[Dodgerfan1]

I, for one, was sad to see him go. Yes, he was an excellent pitcher over the years and, yes, he does seem to be slowing down a bit, but I believe he was a strong clubhouse presence (an intangible that I always thought was quite important, reflecting leadership) and a fan favorite, as well as someone whom the younger pitchers looked up to and learned a lot from. Oh yeah, and he's good for 14-15 wins per year. There's not that many pitchers you can say that about anymore.

As far as missing him as a front line pitcher, I think the A's will do okay with a staff of good/very good young arms. Harden (if he can stay healthy), Haren and Blanton figure to be quality starters. The fourth starter will be where Zito's absence will be felt the most, IMO. With Blanton as the fourth starter, the A's have an excellent staff. Now, with Loaiza or even Joe Kennedy as the fourth starter, it becomes merely a good staff (barring an acquisition later). This is not even taking into account the fifth starter. Who will that be?? Still, the A's staff should be better than most teams', IMO, but not as good as without Zito. It does free up quite a bit of money for the A's, so that's good....

Anyway, that's my take. Some seem happy to see him go (which frankly surprises me!), but not me. I was hoping for Barry to stick around a little while longer with a team that has a better chance of getting to the WS than the Giants do but, that's baseball!

[JD6]

I think it's great that he's gone.. they need to rid this "fraternity house" attitude they've had and start acting like the overpaid professionals that they are...the time is NOW for Harden/Haren/Blanton etc. etc. to stand up on their own... I'm really not sure what the big deal with Zito "was" actually... he was surely durable,but inconsistent from start to start and I can't recall other then his one start against the Twins to ever be a big game pitcher....

It's interesting you say that. I have always attributed their winning with a low payroll to their "fraternity house" attitude. I think it was really cool how they were actually having fun and not so worked up about their contracts and stuff. I hope Zito leaving didn't ruin that.

[mlazar]

It's interesting you say that. I have always attributed their winning with a low payroll to their "fraternity house" attitude. I think it was really cool how they were actually having fun and not so worked up about their contracts and stuff. I hope Zito leaving didn't ruin that.

don't get me wrong, I too enjoyed the clubhouse banter and comeraderie of the A's of the past 5-6 years, but it's time players like Chavez, Swisher , Kielty,etc. realize it's time to get over the hump and settle down and maybe get a Milton Bradley like attitude and we can then go deeper in the playoffs...

[k_dol8990]

i think we'll all miss zito, but its good that he movd on...we have too many great young starters that needed to prove themselves ready for the big leaugues.

[Zito75]

The A's staff doesn't really look that bad right now. Considering the Angels will start the season with both Colon & Weaver on the DL, and the M's and Rangers have no pitching- we'll be in good shape. I'm looking forward to taking an early lead in the West. :gt