Zito in NY?

Well, now that appears that the Red Sox have somehow wrapped up the Daisuke Matsuzaka deal, how do the Yanks counter? Yes, I love Pettitte and am thrilled that he's returned to New York, but in the world of Yankees-Red Sox, you have to match ace for ace.

So, I guess that means that Barry Zito will soon be coming to Yankee Stadium. Yes, I'm calling it here, on this blog, on Extra Innings. Yeah, you can read about Texas all you want but Zito will be pitching in pinstripes for 2007.

Let's start at the beginning. The New York Yankees bid something like $32 million for Matsuzaka. The Red Sox bid an insane $51.1 million. Okay, check. You won that one, Boston. But now, there are still are still chips on the table.

Scott Boras isn't stupid. Not by any means. He surely has to realize that he'll be able to play this Matsuzaka-envy onto the Bronx Bombers and create a need in New York for Zito.

And I'm completely fine with that. So far this offseason, the Yanks have shown great restrait. They've traded away Sheffield. They've traded away Jaret Wright. They've talked about moving Pavano. Things are looking good. Prospects are coming into the Bronx. Go ahead, Cashman, spluge a little. You've earned it. Let's bring Zito into New York.

In six years, we'll add Matsuzaka too.