Giants GM Brian Sabean Not Clear on Concept

After years of watching Athletics General Manager Billy Beane turn overrated and unaffordable assets into stockpiles of blue chip prospects across the bay, Giants General Manager Brian Sabean decided to get in on the action.

Sabean dealt second baseman Ray Durham, the Giants best hitter, to the Brewers last week for two minor-leaguers. Unfortunately, the one part of the Beane's formula that Sabean failed to employ was the part where you acquire players with the potential to help your major league club at some point.

The two "prospects" involved in the deal are "long shots to have any major league value" according to ESPN insider Keith Law. Not exactly what Giants fans had in mind when the team vowed to "get younger". At least the deal relieves San Francisco of the remainder of Durham's $7.5 million salary, somewhat easing the pain of [over]paying Barry Zito to the tune of $14.5 million.

Zito Giving Giants a Glimmer of Hope

Barry Zito improved his record to 5-12 Tuesday, beating the Nationals and picking up his second win at home this year.  Zito won his second consecutive decision for the first time this season.  Striking out five and scattering seven hits over six innings, Zito is finally beginning to quiet the boo-birds that dogged him during his horrendous start this season.  With the Giants on the hook for another 5 years at $101.5 million, the team's fan base is desperately looking for reasons to cheer their $126 million man.  After starting the season 0-8, his 5-4 record and sub-5 ERA since are reasons to believe that, although he will likely never live up to his monster contract, he at least has the ability to provide San Francisco with a rotation-worthy starter for the foreseeable future.

Resurgent Zito May Be Turning the Corner

Barry Zito turned in one of his best starts of the season Saturday against the rival Dodgers, picking up his fourth win.

After giving up two runs in the first inning, Zito settled down and did not allow another run while pitching seven strong innings against the Dodgers.

Most encouraging for the Giants lefty was the fact that he struck out 10 batters for the first time since 2006. Despite his strong outing, Zito was actually in line to pick up his 13th loss after exiting in the middle of the seventh down 2-1. However, the Giants offense, which has struggled to provide Zito with run support all season, uncharacteristically exploded for four runs in the bottom half of the inning.

The Giants and Zito are cautiously optimistic that the former Cy Young winner is finally starting to turn the corner after his disastrous start this season. Zito has posted wins in two of his last three starts, pitching into the seventh and giving up no more than two earned runs in those outings.