Feb 28, 2008

Zito chills after rocky first season with Giants

Former A's pitcher more relaxed heading into '08

By JANIE McCAULEY / Associated Press

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. - Barry Zito stood on a back field with fellow starter Matt Cain early into their workout Wednesday and both pitchers put their bats to their mouths, then pretended to take a bite.

These days, Zito is San Francisco's only Barry - and he certainly seems to be relishing the role of just being his quirky self again. He can finally do so, having found a comfort zone with his club after a rocky first year in 2007.

Zito now owns Barry Bonds' old corner locker in the clubhouse at Scottsdale Stadium. If that's not a strong enough sign of the pitcher's importance to the Giants, manager Bruce Bochy named him opening day starter on Day 1 of camp.

No question he's still considered the ace around here.

Zito's San Francisco bosses are completely confident their $126 million man will bounce back from a down year and be much more like the star left-hander who won the 2002 AL Cy Young award with 23 victories.

"I definitely know all the guys. It's kind of status quo," Zito said of spring training so far. "Last year I felt singled out on the team and didn't feel like one of the guys. It's already tough coming to a new team and you feel singled out. With the contract, you almost feel more singled out from the guys. Now, salaries and contracts are not things we think about or talk about in here."

Neither are his numbers from last season discussed. Come spring, the great thing is everybody has a clean slate and all teams can consider themselves contenders. Zito went a career-worst 11-13 with a 4.53 ERA in 34 appearances, 33 starts and 196 2-3 innings last season, his first in the National League after spending his initial seven years in the big leagues across San Francisco Bay with the Oakland Athletics.

"There was a ton of pressure on him last year," said second baseman Ray Durham, who played half a season with Zito on the A's during that '02 season. "When you get all that money, you try to go out and justify it."

Zito, with his nasty curveball, struggled right along with the rest of the Giants, who had their worst season in 11 years at 71-91 and finished last in the NL West to miss the playoffs for the fourth straight season.

He considered staying healthy his biggest accomplishment. Zito is known for his durability because he's never missed a start with injury. He's eager to get going again, and is slated to start Saturday in the Giants' Cactus League game against his former A's team.

"I feel good. My body is feeling good," Zito said. "I'm just working the kinks out. You can't emulate baseball shape."

This season, Zito has shed the attention that comes when you're the pitcher with the richest contract ever. He was in that position until the New York Mets gave two-time AL Cy Young award winner Johan Santana a $137.5 million, six-year deal when they acquired him in a trade with the Minnesota Twins earlier this month.



"That changes things, too, a little bit," Zito said of Santana's big money. "I got through that year and stayed healthy. It was an adjustment. It was a tough year because I didn't pitch up to my capabilities. You always learn from adversity. I want to build on my last 10 starts."

The Giants are counting on Zito working deep into games and leading their young pitching staff. Bochy said Wednesday the club is leaning toward carrying three catchers and 11 pitchers - which means San Francisco will need reliable outings from its rotation.

Bochy is eager to see how Zito bounces back, and can already see positive signs.

"Just the way he's taken it upon himself to get closer to the teammates, his personality is coming out even more now," Bochy said. "I see him enjoying himself more. There's less pressure and it's just being a little more comfortable."

Zito's teammates also are rooting for him to show his true personality and pitch the way they know he's capable of considering his proven track record.

"Z. should be relaxed," reliever Steve Kline said. "They put a big price tag on him and everybody wanted him to be 45-0. It's tough to pitch for a last-place team."