Not that I dislike or love Barry Zito, but the guy is being demoted to the bullpen a year after signing the largest contract for a starting pitcher.
I feel bad for Zito in a way. As a pitcher, you are going to struggle and have your ups and downs. This happens regardless of the money you make. Just ask A-Rod who seems to disappear during the playoffs!
But for a pitcher, it’s even harder. You get older, you pitch every five days and most of the time, you don’t even have your best stuff.
I have little doubt that Zito will rebound from this horrible start and figure out a way to get out of the funk. Sometimes it takes a change of scenery (i.e. the dugout to the bullpen).
FYI…
Pat Misch, who will be replacing Zito, is a Chicago guy. The LHP from Northbrook went to Glenbrook North and Western Michigan. At only 26 years of age, which oddly enough is my age, makes me think what happened to my life.
One Comment
Even if he does snap out of this, he really lost something after leaving Oakland. His below average fastball turned into a BP fastball this year and he’s getting spanked. His curve isn’t effective if he can’t use the fastball to set it up.
As much as I HATE all the steroid talk, it makes ya wonder how he can fall so hard so fast.