Even after sitting out all of 2014 for, basically, ineffectiveness, left-hander Barry Zito has not given up on his Major League career. On Tuesday, Zito will showcase himself for "a select group of teams" says Jerry Crasnick of both Baseball American and ESPN.com.
Barry Zito is throwing for a select group of teams Tuesday, says Scott Boras. He still wants to pitch after sitting out 2014.
— Jerry Crasnick (@jcrasnick) February 2, 2015
Zito last pitched in 2013 for the San Francisco Giants, compiling a record of 5-11 with a 5.74 ERA and 1.70 WHIP. This dismal peformance followed a 2012 (15-8 with a respectable 4.15 ERA) in which the lefty seemed to turn things around after some rough seasons pitching for the Giants.
Once the ace of Oakland Athletics and the 2002 A.L. Cy Young winner, Zito signed a seven-year, $119-million contract with the Giants before the 2007 season, but he just did not pitch up to the standards that a contract like that commands. As a Giant, Zito had six losing seasons -- all except 2012 -- and led the National League in losses in 2008 with 17. His lowest ERA was 4.03 in 2009.
Those numbers are surprising considering the hot start to his career he had with the Athletics from 2000-2005: 102-63, 3.55 ERA, 1.25 WHIP, and 30.9 WAR. He made three A.L. All-Star teams and won 23 games in his Cy Young season. He was one of the big three Athletics hurlers (Tim Hudson, Mark Mulder) that managers and pitching coaches dreamed of having lead their rotations.
According to NBC HardBall Talk's Craig Calcaterra, Zito's agent, the infamous Scott Borus, said that Zito has kept himself in shape and has "worked on his mechanics" in preparation for a comeback attempt. Neither Calcaterra nor Crasnick though, identified the teams that will send representatives to watch Zito throw. At best, Zito can expect a Minor League contract if anything.