Can’t get blood out of a turnip?
Based on those three deals alone, you’d think owners would run in the other direction at the first hint that Boras was in the same area code. Think again. He just convinced the San Francisco Giants to hand Barry Zito the richest pitching deal ever, $126 million for seven years.”A lot of money,” is how Mark Ellis, Zito’s former teammate in Oakland, described it. “I was shocked. That’s great for him.”And great for Boras, who pockets about 5 percent in commission.And how about Giants boss Peter Magowan?If history is any guide, he’ll have plenty of time to regret it.Nothing against Zito, who was probably the best pitcher on the market. He’s only 28, with a 102-63 record, and he’s durable. After starting 14 games in his rookie season, Zito has started at least 34 games and logged 210-plus innings for each of the past six.On the other hand, if he wins 18 games every season over the life of the deal, Zito is still costing the Giants $1 million for each one. And it’s far from a certainty.getCS
