Here's the answer to whether Zito's is the worst free agent contract ever

GLENDALE, Ariz. -- After Giants pitcher Barry Zito's latest spring shellacking today at the hands of the Chicago White Sox, Zito talked about adjustments he needs to make and how he needs to get things going on a "downhill plane.''

Sorry, the only downhill plane that's relevant now involves Zito's career and value.

After allowing nine hits and five earned runs in 2 1/3 innings and having to throw in the bullpen afterward to hit his pitch count, Zito talked about different little mechanical things he wanted to do better, as if any of it would matter. The only real questions now are whether he feels guilty to continue to be paid like a star when he's barely hanging onto a rotation spot (and only then because of the contract) and whether he thinks he signed the worst free-agent contract ever were not asked.

There's no point at this point to all this. He answers in an emotionless monotone, and everyone walks away thinking about the money that is wasted on him. Even if he doesn't seem embarrassed or feel guilty, one must imagine that he has to be -- at least a little. The one question that went beyond what he was working on now and called on him to talk about his hopes for the year, well, he didn't answer that. That may have hit too close to home.

These interviews with him are like Groundhog's Day. These minor adjustments haven't mattered for five years, so why would anyone think they matter now. Whatever he's working on isn't working. He is 43-61 with a 4.55 ERA in the first five years of his contract, and signs point to things going downhill from here. As to the relevant question of whether his is the worst free agent deal of alltime, my answer is yes.

Here's my top, er bottom, 10.

10. A.J. Burnett, $82.5M, 5 years, Yankees. They barely outbid the Braves, and boy are the Braves relieved. With his Toronto contract, one of the most overpaid players of alltime.

9. Carl Crawford, $142M, 7 years, Red Sox. I know, I know, it's only one year. But he transformed from one of the league's best players to one of its worst in year on in Boston. Now he will begin year two on the sidelines.

8. Jeff Suppan, $42M, 4 years, Brewers. Milwaukee can't afford to be burned by bad deals like this.

7. Alfonso Soriano, $136M, 8 years, Cubs. He took advantage of a terrific walk year in Washington in a winter of bad deals.

6. Oliver Perez, $36M, 3 years. He was simply worthless in his two years in New York after signing the deal, posting a 6.81 ERA with 100 walks and 99 strikeouts. The only thing that keeps him from being higher on the list is that the other contracts are bigger.

5. Mike Hampton, $120M, 8 years, Rockies. He said he went to Colorado for the school system, when in reality, he took them to school.

4. Carl Pavano, $39.95M, 4 years, Yankees. He won nine games in New York, earning the nickname from New York Post writer George King of "American Idle,'' for never almost being active, then decided he didn't want to pay his agent fees when in reality the agent was the one who did a brilliant job. Pavano predictably lost that cases, making him 9-9 in the big city.

3. Gary Matthews, Jr., $50M, 5 years, Angels. This contract seemed to be nuts at the time, and that proved to be the case.

2. John Lackey, $82.5M, 5 years, Red Sox. As if the diminishing ability isn't enough with the spotlight on him he's revealed a few character flaws, as well.

1. Zito. $126 million, 7 years, Giants. Five straight losing seasons, with two more to come.

So at least Zito wins at something.