The San Fransisco Chronicle is reporting that the Giants have signed Barry Zito to a seven-year contract worth $126 million:

Zito's $126 million contract is the largest ever for a pitcher and the biggest in Giants history, supplanting the $90 million contract Bonds signed after the 2001 season. It ties Vernon Wells' seven-year, $126 million contract with Toronto as the sixth-largest overall.

The Giants hold an $18 million option on Zito for 2014 with a $7 million buyout, making the contract worth a potential $137 million. The option becomes Zito's if he pitches 200 innings in 2013, the final guaranteed year, 400 innings over the final two years or 600 innings over the final three. Zito also has a complete no-trade clause for the entire length of the contract.

I don't even know what to say to that. I think I'll just have to babble for a while…

homina homina homina homina homina homina homina homina homina homina homina homina homina homina homina homina homina homina homina homina homina homina homina homina homina homina homina homina homina homina homina homina homina homina homina homina

Wow, a SEVEN year contract for a pitcher. Who ever heard of such a thing? And $126 million? What do you even do with that kind of money? Next year, teams will actually have to sign over ownership of the franchise to sign pitchers.

The Redleg Nation features a youtube of MLB highlights of Ryan Freel. It will make you pine for baseball.

Trent tells us:

Pitchers and catchers report Feb. 17
Position players report Feb. 21
Photo day is Feb. 23 at 7:30 a.m.

It feels just like Christmas! Or two days after!

According to a story in the Newark Star-Ledger (and a bunch of other places, too), the Yankees are looking to trade Randy Johnson:

NEW YORK -- The San Diego Padres have made a more attractive offer for Randy Johnson than the Arizona Diamondbacks, but the Yankees will trade Johnson only if they consider it a good baseball move.
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San Francisco has also been involved in talks, and the Yankees official said two more teams he would not identify entered the derby yesterday.

Johnson, 43, is questionable for Opening Day because of surgery in October to repair a herniated disk in his lower back.
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After acquiring Johnson from the Diamondbacks in January 2005, the Yankees extended his contract for two seasons, through next year. An official with a team not involved in Johnson talks was told the Yankees do not want to absorb any of Johnson's salary if they trade him.
…
Meanwhile, although the Yankees lost out on free-agent first baseman Shea Hillenbrand, who agreed to terms with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, they might still add a first baseman who bats left-handed. Doug Mientkiewicz, an excellent fielder, is still on the market and has drawn interest from the Yankees.

So, the Yankees are looking to sell a 43-year old, injured LHP. They're looking to buy a left-handed first baseman.

Suddenly the deal for Jeff Conine makes a lot more sense. Scott Hatteberg: you're on your way!

Woo-hoo! The Red Hot Mama hit counter just went to six digits. I'm doing the Amanda Dance right now!