Considering Toronto recently gave Roy Halladay a three-year, $40 million extension, the chances of the A's being able to re-sign Barry Zito are next to nothing. That means Beane's recent meeting with Zito's agent, Arn Tellem, was for cosmetic effect only; the trading-vigil for the left-hander will officially begin on opening day, building to a crescendo through July. The Mets will be first on line for Zito, especially if Pedro Martinez continues to struggle with chronic foot pain. The only unanswerable question is whether Zito is actually available. For now, all the GM will cryptically say is "anything's possible." What he really means is, if the Mets put Lastings Milledge on the table, Beane will be happy to take Omar Minaya's call.