Has Barry Zito Earned His $126 Million Contract?

Final Thoughts

Individually, Zito may have fallen short of his contract expectations, and yes, you would be right in saying he has been grossly overpaid on average, but his win / loss record during his losing years were in no way tantamount to the Giant’s success during that same time (especially in 2010 and 2011 where he was virtually a non factor), as they were (and in general still are) a very low scoring team.  His winning a few more – and losing a few less – games during those lost years wouldn’t have made a difference for the Giants, as they weren’t headed to the playoffs anyway (besides maybe 2009, which was actually his strongest year up until 2012).

April 9, 2012; Denver, CO, USA; San Francisco Giants pitcher Barry Zito (75) delivers a pitch during the fifth inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Fieldd. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

I can’t speak for every Giants fan, but I would much rather have two World Championships in the time he’s been here (the second one only being possibly because of Zito and his dominance during the 2012 regular and postseason), than have him had been an average, at best, pitcher on a team that wasn’t going anywhere those seasons anyway.  The complete one hundred eighty degree turn that Zito managed to accomplish from 2011 to 2012 was more than impressive, and I think he’s done a good job to earn a good portion of the money he’s earned since coming to 24 Willie Mays Plaza.

If Zito can repeat, or even come close to his reinvented 2012 form in 2013, I wouldn’t be surprised if San Francisco picked up his 2014 option.  And so far, he’s off to an incredibly hot start; 2-0 with an ERA of 0.00.  Can’t ask for much more.

Money is only an object, and most players – in every sport – make a disgusting amount of it, no matter how unfortunate the situation is.

Fortunately, in Barry Zito, you have a player who gives back, and has given his team, fans, and city a memory that will last forever:

A world championship.