Zito is absolutely worth pursuing and 5 years should not stop anybody. This guy hasn't missed a start. He's got great physical habits and doesn't overthrow. The main reason to avoid a long-term deal is the risk of injury and with Zito that risk is about as low as it gets.
Zito has pitched his entire career in the AL West. He knows the league, knows the teams the Mariners are playing against. His main weakness the past 2 years has been the long-ball, making Texas a poor choice of destination for him and making Seattle a very good choice of destination. He has pitched well in Texas, likely key to the Rangers interest, but it also makes him a good target for Seattle who will play in Texas several times each season.
With a reasonable offense behind him Zito will emerge as a Cy Young candidate next season. He will sign with a team that can hit. Oakland's offense has been LOUSY in ways that are hard to describe unless you watch the A's. They lead the league in leaving RISP EVERY YEAR. The kind of pressure that starting pitchers feel as a result does not do good things for their morale. Zito is sick of that and wants to have 4 runs on the board when he goes out there.
Would anyone say Randy Johnson's contract in Arizona was a bad idea? How about Pedro in New York? Zito will give you 200+ innings and 15 wins minimum each one of those 6 years. I'd bet he wins 20 three times in those six years. Sign the man.
As has been said, if he's serious about signing with Texas then the M's need to break out their checkbook because that would be bad, bad news.
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