Is this an ace?

[JeterRodriguezSheff]

Stats:

2004: 11-11 4.48 ERA 163 K 81 BB 213 IP
2005: 14-13 3.86 ERA 171 K 89 BB 228.1 IP
2006 so far: 1-2 7.54 ERA 15 K 6 BB 14.1 IP

Can you guess the player?

[Mystic Merlyn]

I had a feeling it was Zito, and a Google search confirmed it.

I haven't considered him an ace for a few years.

[Yankyfan]

I think with all my heart that Zito in NY is a big mistake.He is a laid back Weaver type guy.I think he real doesn't have a killer mentality needed for an ace.I didn't want him 2 years ago and i really don't want him now.

[RhodeyYankee2638]

He doesn't have a really good fastball anymore to back up the curve. The year he won the Cy, he burnt his arm out, imho. I remember he used to hit 93 regularly, you'll barely see 90 anymore

[SubwayFanatic]

He doesn't have a really good fastball anymore to back up the curve. The year he won the Cy, he burnt his arm out, imho. I remember he used to hit 93 regularly, you'll barely see 90 anymore

Did he seriously used to hit 93? Hmm, not sure I remember that, but maybe it's been so long since he did that I have completely forgotten about it.

[kan_t]

He is a workhorse No.3 starter rather than an ace.

[chanman7483]

I posted stats in the other Zito thread... it showed that he routinely did good against poor hitting teams, and against good hitting teams, he would get absolutely destroyed.

So no, he is not an ace.

[38Special]

Zito never threw 93

[Yankyfan]

He was never a hard thrower but always located the uncle charlie where ever he wanted.Now when he's on he'll do ok but he seems to always have that inning where he'll hang a few and pow !! He almost reminds me of a knuckle ball pitcher in the way he'll make a guy look foolish and your like wow and then he'll hang one and its batting practice.I also would fear what Beane would ask for in return.I think Zito is better suited for the NL in that not every one knows what to look for.There is also that story that he tips his pitches.Thats deadly for and off speed guy.

[Mattpat11]

He hasn't been particularly good in years

[Jaeho]

Mike Francesa says Barry Zito is an ace and that is good enough for me! The man is never wrong!

[yanksphan]

His pre/post ASB splits have been consistant throughout his career. He's always a bit better after the break.

[Bro Jackhammer]

ACE:


NOT AN ACE:

[BRNXBMRS]

Too bad the Yanks and Red Sox tee off on him, I am not giving up the farm for him.

[sprucemoose]

Barry Zito Demands Trade to World Without War

http://www.theonion.com/content/node/47658

There's even a Yankees reference tucked in at the end.

[CTSoxFan]

Zito never threw 93

Zito ROUTINELY throws 93.

Pitches.

By the fifth or sixth inning.

[38Special]

Zito ROUTINELY throws 93.

Pitches.

By the fifth or sixth inning.

[CaptainThurman]

No thank you. I would rather have Clippard.

[Bob Saccomano]

His 2002 Cy Young season was his only great one. I'd rather he went to some other AL team (hopefully the Sawx) since the Yankees have a great record against him and always hit him hard. It'd be a shame to overpay for an overrated guy like that when he could just as easily be a starter for some other team that the Yankees could pound on .

(As he said on BDSSP, he'd like to stay in the AL: "Hitting isn't fun for me ... it's kind of ugly.")