12/28/2006 8:30 PM ET Zito agrees to huge deal with Giants Lefty lands largest contract for pitcher in Major League history By Rich Draper / MLB.com Barry Zito's seven-year contract is the richest in history for a Major League pitcher. (Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images) SAN FRANCISCO -- There's a new Barry in town. He's Barry Zito, one of baseball's premier left-handed pitchers and the San Francisco Giants' new franchise face for the next seven years, thanks to a budget-busting $126 million contract reported on Thursday and calculated to zoom the team back into playoff contention. Zito is scheduled to have a physical on Friday morning, and the Giants plan to announce their agreement with the three-time All-Star later in the day. "He brings a lot to the table," said a Giants source who asked not to be named because the deal had not been officially announced. "He's a left-hander -- a rare commodity at the top of the rotation -- and has a record as a strong pitcher with a lot of charisma. He's articulate, intelligent, a nice person that the fans are going to like and his leadership characteristics are unusual ." The signing of Zito rekindles memories of 1992, when a lithe, electrifying strongman named Barry Bonds joined the Giants and became the most feared player in baseball. "Bonds is a difference-maker, and Zito is, too," said the team source. "He's coming to us in the prime of career -- not a great player with the best years behind him. We think he could get better." Zito's agreement, reached late Wednesday night, includes an $18 million option for 2014 with a $7 million buyout that could increase the value to $137 million. The option would become guaranteed if Zito pitches 200 innings in 2013, 400 combined over 2012 and 2013 or 600 combined from 2011-13. Zito's deal ties for the sixth largest overall, matching the $126 million, seven-year extension agreed to this month by Toronto and center fielder Vernon Wells. Previously, the largest contract for a pitcher was Mike Hampton's eight-year, $121 million deal with the Colorado Rockies before the 2001 season. Only Alex Rodriguez ($252 million), Derek Jeter ($189 million), Manny Ramirez ($160 million), Todd Helton ($141.5 million) and Alfonso Soriano ($136 million) have contracts with more guaranteed money. Ironically, all three pitchers to sign $100 million deals -- Zito, Hampton and Kevin Brown -- signed with NL West teams. Brown became baseball's first $100 million man when he signed with the Dodgers prior to 1999. Zito's is the 14th $100 million deal in baseball history and the fourth of the offseason following agreements by Soriano (Cubs), Wells and Carlos Lee ($100 million with Houston). The 28-year-old Zito, who has starred for the Oakland A's the past seven seasons, was the most highly prized free agent hurler, being wooed by the New York Mets, Seattle Mariners and Texas Rangers, but the longtime San Francisco resident decided to stay home, literally. The free-agent pitching market was shocking, with even mid-level veterans garnering top dollars -- Jeff Suppan earned a four-year, $42 million deal -- but the Giants decided that signing Zito through 2013 was a worthwhile gamble. The team source indicated the Giants wouldn't have gone over the expected $85 million budget except for a player of Zito's stature. The club's 2007 payroll now zooms to around $95 million. The 2002 AL Cy Young Award winner, Zito has been among the most durable pitchers in the Majors, making 34 or more starts while pitching in 210 or more innings in six straight seasons. He has never missed a start. Unlike former Giants ace Jason Schmidt, he hasn't been dogged each year by aches, pains and skipped assignments. As part of his agreement with the Giants, Zito will fund the construction of youth fields in the San Francisco area through his foundation. To lure Zito, the Giants edged out a handful of other candidates. The Mets capped their offer at five years and $75 million, and the Rangers offered Zito a six-year, $84 million contract. They also added a vesting option for $15 million for a seventh year with a $4 million buyout. The option would have kicked in if Zito pitched 200 innings in the sixth year of the contract. "I enjoyed getting to know Barry," said Rangers owner Tom Hicks. "I think highly of him as a player and as a person. I wish him well with his new team. I am glad he is not pitching with one of our division opponents. I am comfortable that we made a very strong offer." The southpaw will be of enormous assistance to a young Giants rotation that features righty Matt Cain and left-handers Noah Lowry and perhaps Jonathan Sanchez. San Francisco was in dire need of a veteran starter after long-time ace Jason Schmidt signed with the archrival Los Angeles Dodgers. Giants general manager Brian Sabean said that every team inquiring about trades wanted some of San Francisco's young arms, and Zito's signing keeps that youthful corps intact. Rich Draper is a reporter for MLB.com. Information from The Associated Press was used in this report. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs. --

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