Barry Zito News

Many people loathe the New York Yankees for their spending habits, the way they toss contracts around like money is no big deal.

Word around the streets of MLB is that free-agent hitter's don't put the San Francisco Giants anywhere near the top of their list because AT&T Park isn't a "hitter's" park.

IT'S BEEN A FAIRLY interesting start to the Giants' off-season so far. They've already resigned Freddy Sanchez, cut ties with Noah Lowry, re-upped Brian Sabean and Bruce Buchy, and they hired a guy named Bam Bam to be their new hitting coach.

Gee, I don't know why I should hate the offseason. I'm trying to think of a reason, but I'm drawing a blank.

Matt Cain lasted only five innings Saturday night, remained winless at PETCO Park since Aug.

The Giants' next victory this season in San Diego will be their first. San Francisco concludes this season with three games at PETCO Park, where it is 0-6 this year.

Of all the restaurants in all the city, Giants pitcher Barry Zito's favorite is Boboquivari's . He told an interviewer from the website LikeMe that he sometimes goes there for a takeout steak of an evening, the same way Grub Street would grab a burrito.

Giants chef Joe Day starts early to make enough food for more than two dozen hungry players.

Recently we told you about the trend at Major League clubhouses to provide healthier options to the players.

About the Padres: Manager Bud Black might not be a favorite for NL manager of the year, but he should net a few savvy third-place votes.

Barry Zito , starting pitcher, Giants 6'4", 205 lbs Bats: L Throws: L Born: May 13, 1978 Drafted: 1st round by the Oakland Athletics in 1999 MINOR LEAGUE HIGHLIGHTS 1999 : He went 6-1 with a 3.16 ERA in 13 starts spread over three levels.

If I were rookie Giants owner Bill Neukom, I definitely would like what the Brian Sabean-Bruce Bochy tandem did with the Giants this season.

The Cubs' Aramis Ramirez is congratulated by teammate Jake Fox after Ramirez hit a home run off the Giants' Barry Zito in the fourth inning Saturday in San Francisco.

Did you attend this game? If so, start chronicling your sports memories today with ESPN's Sports Passport.

It's assumed that Giants managing partner Bill Neukom will re-sign GM Brian Sabean and manager Bruce Bochy, but the boss with the bow tie called the final weeks of the season an "important data point" in how he reviews his personnel.

About the Diamondbacks: Arizona lost two of three to the Colorado Rockies over the weekend and fell to 33-42 at Chase Field - the only NL West team with a losing home record.

A member of the World Series champion Chicago White Sox in 2005, Juan Uribe is doing his best to get the San Francisco Giants into the postseason this year.

PHOENIX The Giants are a playoff contender and the Arizona Diamondbacks are not.

The Giants fell five games behind NL wild card leader Colorado after a 10-8 loss to Arizona on Tuesday, when starter Matt Cain could not get out of the third inning.

The bases were loaded with one out in the eighth and the last thing San Francisco manager Bruce Bochy wanted was an inning-ending double play.