Giants decline options on SP Barry Zito, OF Andres Torres
Remember when Barry Zito signed the most lucrative contract -- seven years, $126 million -- ever given to a pitcher, back in December 2006, when you and Zito were still young? Well, time flies. Zito, 35, is old. So are you. So am I. The contract's done. Zito is officially no longer a Giant:
#SFGiants offically decline option on P Barry Zito, OF Andres Torres.
— Bill Shaikin (@BillShaikin) November 2, 2013
Zito's 2014 option was worth $18 million. Yes, seriously. He made $20 million in 2013. He receives a $7-million buyout.
Zito had a 5.74 ERA and 1.70 WHIP in 133 1/3 innings this past season. He finishes his Giants career with a 4.62 ERA and 1.44 WHIP in 1,139 1/3 innings. And with, most importantly, two World Series rings.
Zito never posted an ERA under 4.00 in seven years as a Giant. Because sometimes things don't work out the way you hope they would.
As for outfielder Andre Torres, he's also officially a free agent, ending his second stint with San Francisco. He earned $2 million in 2013, and hit .250/.302/.342 in 103 games, with two home runs and 21 RBI, and a career-low four stolen bases.
Torres, 36 in January, had surgery to remove bone spurs on his left foot at the end of August, and is expected to miss the start of spring training as he recovers.
Even the folks who cover the Giants had no idea Torres had an option on his deal. The San Francisco Chronicle's Henry Schulman writes:
"I’ll be honest. I didn’t even know the Giants had an option on Torres for 2014. I’m trying to find out how much it was."
Torres' option isn't listed on Cot's Contracts at Baseball Prospectus, either. Hey, you learn something every day.