Mariners Meet With Zito

[Stoud]

Linkage

If the M's sign Zito, I'll take back everything I said about them.

A Pitching Rotation that looks like this:

Zito
Felix
Washburn
Batista
Ramirez

is good enough to win the west IMHO.

[dieselboy]

Re: Mariners Meet With Zito

If, if, if, if.....

But, it would be a great move for the Mariners. Also, it makes every other pitching signing/trade look a lot better if we bring in Zito.

It makes it so Washburn isn't a #2, Batista isn't a #3 and Ramirez isn't a #4.

[Gary Armida]

Re: Mariners Meet With Zito

I would love to see the M's do this...Would they pony up the cash?

[Stoud]

Re: Mariners Meet With Zito

I would love to see the M's do this...Would they pony up the cash?

From the small blurb about it that I posted it seems as though they are:

"It is believed the club is willing to make a major financial commitment that would take them beyond their 2007 payroll projection to land the 28-year-old left-hander."

[SPTO]

Re: Mariners Meet With Zito

This is all just window dressing. He'll be a Met before spring training.

[jmw1137]

Re: Mariners Meet With Zito

is good enough to win the west IMHO.

Good pitching helps but I hardly think it's enough to win the West. The M's scored the 2nd least runs in the AL (only behind the D-Rays), they were 2nd to last in RBIs (again, only behind the D-Rays) and were near the bottom in AVG, SLG & OBP.

They'll be better with pitching but some of their big sluggers really need to start hitting too.

[dalnet22]

Re: Mariners Meet With Zito

You guys give Zito too much credit. It's sad to watch pitchers deteriorate to the point of wasted cash.

[Sabercatsfan]

Re: Mariners Meet With Zito

It would be nothing short of awesome if the M's sign Zito, but I'm afraid the meeting was nothing more than a PR move. Being their limited to non-existant past of signing free agents in recent years(With the exception of Beltre and Sexton and only one of those really worked out), I can see the meetings going like this.

Mariners - "So, we can offer you a 2 year, 15 million dollar deal, will you come to Seattle? Great ballpark, great fans, what do ya say?"

Zito's agent - "Umm, the Mets just offered us 6 years, 65 million, and they are the defending NL East champs. It's clear they are serious about winning. What has Seattle done lately to make my client want to play for the Mariners?"

Mariners - "Let's see, where to I begin? We started this offseason by trading our best relief pitcher and setup man for a fragile #4 pitcher. Then we signed a AA pitcher from the Pirates just because we can. Then we acquired a right fielder with a checkered past and fresh off a injury plagued .216 season. Don't worry, we're not finished yet. Next we spent 25 Million on a 35 year old pitcher with a career record of 68-79 and a 4.46 ERA. Oh, and he's never won more than 11 games in a season. To conclude, we traded 2 spare parts to the Nationals for an injury plagued DH, but at least he can hit. As you can see, we're been VERY busy and Zito should be the final piece of the puzzle to take the Mariners back to the top"

Zito's agent - "So, when does the first plane to New York leave?"

[dalnet22]

Re: Mariners Meet With Zito

It would be nothing short of awesome if the M's sign Zito, but I'm afraid the meeting was nothing more than a PR move. Being their limited to non-existant past of signing free agents in recent years(With the exception of Beltre and Sexton and only one of those really worked out), I can see the meetings going like this.

Mariners - "So, we can offer you a 2 year, 15 million dollar deal, will you come to Seattle? Great ballpark, great fans, what do ya say?"

Zito's agent - "Umm, the Mets just offered us 6 years, 65 million, and they are the defending NL East champs. It's clear they are serious about winning. What has Seattle done lately to make my client want to play for the Mariners?"

Mariners - "Let's see, where to I begin? We started this offseason by trading our best relief pitcher and setup man for a fragile #4 pitcher. Then we signed a AA pitcher from the Pirates just because we can. Then we acquired a right fielder with a checkered past and fresh off a injury plagued .216 season. Don't worry, we're not finished yet. Next we spent 25 Million on a 35 year old pitcher with a career record of 68-79 and a 4.46 ERA. Oh, and he's never won more than 11 games in a season. To conclude, we traded 2 spare parts to the Nationals for an injury plagued DH, but at least he can hit. As you can see, we're been VERY busy and Zito should be the final piece of the puzzle to take the Mariners back to the top"

Zito's agent - "So, when does the first plane to New York leave?"

And then in three years the Mariners are smiling with King Felix while New York says goodbye to Pedro, Glavine, Trachsel, Wagner, and complains constantly about signing a bust to 65 million.

[nyisles16]

Re: Mariners Meet With Zito

And then in three years the Mariners are smiling with King Felix while New York says goodbye to Pedro, Glavine, Trachsel, Wagner, and complains constantly about signing a bust to 65 million.

Mets have said goodbye to Trachsel this year

[dalnet22]

Re: Mariners Meet With Zito

Mets have said goodbye to Trachsel this year

The question is - are Met fans ready to watch someone earn $65 million with average pitching? It makes me want to puke thinking someone can make so much money to do nothing but play music and give up runs.

[dieselboy]

Re: Mariners Meet With Zito

And then in three years the Mariners are smiling with King Felix while New York says goodbye to Pedro, Glavine, Trachsel, Wagner, and complains constantly about signing a bust to 65 million.

Then NY will just get some other pitchers.

Unless the Mariners start winning more games, its no comparison.

[nyisles16]

Re: Mariners Meet With Zito

The question is - are Met fans ready to watch someone earn $65 million with average pitching? It makes me want to puke thinking someone can make so much money to do nothing but play music and give up runs.

if he was an average pitcher, then why would the M's, Rangers, & Giants also be going after him? He's the best FA pitcher available, & the Mets need starters, just like the other teams going after him.. I would like to see Zito in NY, but it is competition.. Why would Zito be such an "average pitcher" in NY, but an "ace" in Seattle????

[dalnet22]

Re: Mariners Meet With Zito

if he was an average pitcher, then why would the M's, Rangers, & Giants also be going after him? He's the best FA pitcher available, & the Mets need starters, just like the other teams going after him.. I would like to see Zito in NY, but it is competition.. Why would Zito be such an "average pitcher" in NY, but an "ace" in Seattle????

I never said Zito would be better with a specific team. On the contrary, I'm arguing that Zito is washed up. The facts that A. he is the best FA available and B. teams are willing to spend $65 million tell you several things.

1. The league has too many teams. You're lucky to have one ace on a staff, let alone 5 average starters.

2. Individual players are making too much money.

3. Ace type pitchers are fading too quickly. Mike Marshall just might be right, after all.

The problem I have is not with the pitcher (because so many have followed Zito's path), it's with the league. Several teams need to be contracted if we're going to have any credibility in 5 years. It was bad enough the entire NL was full of AAA teams, but now they'll be getting paid much more than usual.

[Coug00]

Re: Mariners Meet With Zito

The question is - are Met fans ready to watch someone earn $65 million with average pitching? It makes me want to puke thinking someone can make so much money to do nothing but play music and give up runs.

Agreed, I'm praying the M's don't sign Zito. What a waste of money for an above average pitcher who is likely going to significantly deteriorate over the length of a 6 or 7 year contract.

I'd much rather they sign Jeff Suppan for less years and less money. He's a much better value than Zito.