Barry Zito was offered two more years and $50 million more by the Giants than the Mets, but he still thinks he would probably be in San Francisco had the offers been the same.
"I think it was primarily their honesty, and my instincts were telling me I was getting some standup guys who were up front," Zito said. "There weren't a lot of games being played, a lot of mind games. This was my first run at this. I haven't experienced much in my life that was similar. People who are standup guys and look you in the eyes, and you trust what they're saying, it goes a long way.
"Beyond that, it was just the commitment to winning and getting a championship this year, and if not this year, next year, and doing everything in line with that goal, seeing it through and getting after it, which is what I do on the field."
In Zito, the Giants saw a player whose "passion, professionalism and personality meet his talent," Sabean said. "This was a definite want and need on the part of our ballclub as a whole. Everybody I've talked to in the organization is beside themselves."
Via San Francisco Chronicle
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The Rangers and Mariners were both interested in Barry Zito, which are rivalries that trump the local one for the A's.
"Given the fact that there appeared to be interest within the division, it's nice to know he won't be pitching for one of our rivals,'' Oakland general manager Billy Beane said.
Via San Francisco Chronicle
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Barry Zito will be introduced as the newest member of the San Francisco Giants at a press conference Friday, the Chronicle has learned.
"This is a Bay Bridge free agency,'' said one person with knowledge of the negotiations. "I think Barry Zito will be the face of the Giants franchise for a long time.''
Zito will recieve $126 million for seven years, the largest contract ever for a pitcher.
Via San Francisco Chronicle
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Giants Dec 2006 Archive
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MLB.com | Dec 28, 2006
According to The Associated Press, Barry Zito will receive the largest contract for a pitcher in baseball history -- a seven-year, $126 million deal.
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New York Post | Dec 28, 2006
An official involved in the Barry Zito negotiations said that the Giants' offer may exceed the $100 million mark.
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Associated Press | Dec 27, 2006
Chris Brown, an All-Star third baseman who played six seasons in the majors in the 1980s, died Tuesday, nearly a month after he was burned in a fire at his home outside Houston.
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ESPN | Dec 27, 2006
Positive test results from approximately 100 MLB players may be used in federal court.
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Fox Sports | Dec 26, 2006
Shea Hillenbrand has agreed to a one-year contract with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.
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New York Times | Dec 26, 2006
Trading Randy Johnson might give the Yankees a shot at signing Barry Zito.
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San Francisco Chronicle | Dec 23, 2006
In a phone interview on Friday, managing general partner Peter Magowan made it clear the negotiations between the Giants and Barry Bonds have a long ways to go.
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San Jose Mercury News | Dec 20, 2006
There has been speculation in legal circles that Barry Bonds is seeking to guarantee his salary if the grand jury indicts him and Major League Baseball seeks to suspend him.
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AP | Dec 19, 2006
The Giants and free agent first baseman Ryan Klesko agreed to terms on a one-year contract Tuesday, giving the club another option at first along with recently acquired Rich Aurilia.
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AP | Dec 18, 2006
Larry Sherry, MVP of the 1959 World Series as a reliever for the Dodgers, has died after a long battle with cancer.
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MLB.com | Dec 17, 2006
The Marlins and Giants continue closing in on the framework of a deal that would bring back closer Armando Benitez.
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MLB.com | Dec 11, 2006
Club officials said that the Rangers have made a formal offer to free agent pitcher Barry Zito and his agent Scott Boras.
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Dallas Morning News | Dec 11, 2006
Eric Gagne is likely to receive a base salary around $6 million, with the opportunity to make more via incentives.
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MLB.com | Dec 9, 2006
The Giants re-signed Steve Kline to a two-year deal worth $3.
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AP | Dec 8, 2006
Former San Francisco Giants shortstop Jose Uribe was killed early Friday in a car crash in his native Dominican Republic.
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MLB.com | Dec 7, 2006
The Giants agreed in principle on Thursday to re-sign slugger Barry Bonds for the 2007 season, said a source with knowledge of the negotiations.
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AP | Dec 7, 2006
Barry Bonds' agent said Thursday the free-agent slugger could sign a new contract whenever he wants.
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Yahoo.com | Dec 7, 2006
One of the premier defensive first basemen of his generation, J.
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AP | Dec 7, 2006
The Giants finalized a $16 million, three-year contract with catcher Bengie Molina on Wednesday to replace Mike Matheny, who might not play again because of a concussion.
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Yahoo.com | Dec 6, 2006
Barry Bonds and the Giants may not be in the same ballpark, but at least they're in the same building.
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MLB.com | Dec 6, 2006
According to general manager Brian Sabean, Barry Bonds and the Giants are not close right now financially.
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MLB.com | Dec 5, 2006
Giants' GM Brian Sabean cleared the air regarding his club's interest in retaining Barry Bonds.
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ESPN.com | Dec 4, 2006
Free agent David Weathers is closing in on a two-year deal with the Reds, two baseball sources at the winter meetings told ESPN.
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AP | Dec 3, 2006
"The comfort level is extremely high for me, having a manager I respect and love playing for and being in the same division," Dave Roberts said on Saturday.
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San Diego Union-Tribune | Dec 2, 2006
Ryan Klesko's tenure in San Diego is likely over.
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Mercury News | Dec 2, 2006
Pedro Feliz will be back at third base for the Giants after agreeing to a one-year contract believed to be worth $5-6 million, pending a physical, the Mercury News has learned.
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AP | Dec 2, 2006
The Giants declined to offer salary arbitration to Barry Bonds before Friday night's deadline, prompting his agent to say the team has not made bringing the slugger back a priority.
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MLB.com | Dec 1, 2006
Giants second baseman Ray Durham, who had career highs with 26 homers and 93 RBIs last season, reportedly will return to San Francisco for two more years in a deal worth about $14 million.
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San Francisco Chronicle | Dec 1, 2006
MLB sources have said the Giants are in serious negotiations to sign catcher Bengie Molina, who played for the Blue Jays in 2006.
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MLB.com | Dec 1, 2006
The Giants aren't expected to offer arbitration to free-agent Barry Bonds, the second-leading home run hitter in Major League history, sources with knowledge of the negotiations said Thursday.
