I've said it before and i'll say it again. "As much as i hate the thought of it, He's gonna look pretty damn good in Yankee pinstripes."
You think the A's and Billy Beane are worried about losing Barry Zito? Hell, he's downright giddy that he got the BEST years of his career out of him for a minimal price, while some other team is going to overpay and get FAR less value in return. Zito should still be an effective pitcher... but then look at a guy like Mulder (who was used and abused to full extent while with the A's). He's done... his career is over... shoulder is about to fall off. But, not only did Billy Beane get rid of him... he got back the Cardinals BEST young pitcher, and BEST young prospect... both of whom are going to contribute to the A's for years, long after Mulder is done putting up a 6.23 ERA per season. He must of liked Zito a little bit more than the other two, because he decided not to trade him. However, I stand by the fact (even as the Astros are attempting to re-sign Roy Oswalt) that NO team should ever give a pitcher more than a 4 year deal (or maybe a 4 year deal with a fifth year option). Its just way to risky, and its very rare that a pitcher actually lives up to the entire deal.
I always considered Mulder the worst of the Big 3 they used to have in Oakland. I think he was primarely pushed by Hudson and Zito helping him pitch better. Hudson seems to be doing fine and i think Zito will as well as long as he isn't expected to carry the whole load like this year. He's a perfect #2 pitcher, not #1. If by some chance, Zito goes to the National League.....Look Out! Very few players in the NL have seen a curveball like the one he throws. Add to that no DH and he would be prime to automatically become a Cy Young canidate before the season starts. That is, unless he plays for the Astros since we won't give him any run support. As for his contract, it's pretty typical for clubs to only give pitchers 3 year contract nowadays.....with the exeption of a club option for a 4th year. I think everyone's seen what happens when you give a pitcher more than 3 years on a contract. Either they go Mike Hampton on you or they blow their elbow or rotator cuff. With his market value, that's to much for most teams to risk.
