From the SF Chronicle’s Susan Slusser :

Barry Zito, the longtime A’s ace and member of “the Big Three,” will be introduced as the newest member of the San Francisco Giants at a press conference, possibly as soon as today, the Chronicle has learned.

“This is a Bay Bridge free agency,” said one person with knowledge of the negotiations. “I think Barry Zito will be the face of the Giants franchise for a long time.”

Zito will recieve $126 million for seven years, the largest contract ever for a pitcher.

There’s a club option for an eighth season that will vest automatically if Zito pitches 200 innings in the final year of the deal, or 400 in the final two years or 600 in the final three years. After that option vests, it becomes a player option and Zito can accept or decline it.

Mike Hampton and I remain hopeful that although Surfin’ Barry is a bachelor, he’s done his due dilligence regarding the state of the San Francisco public school system.