ZONER'S HOT STOVE: GIANTS

Right-hander Matt Morris agreed to a three-year contract with the San Francisco Giants on Monday, leaving the St. Louis Cardinals after nine seasons.
Morris went 14-10 with a 4.11 ERA last season, winning his first
eight decisions for the Cardinals. But St. Louis didn't pursue him
with the same fervor as the Giants, who were desperate to add a top
starter to their depleted rotation. Morris' contract contains a club option for a fourth season, general manager Brian Sabean said.

"Simply put, Matt Morris is a winner," Sabean said. "He's a
gamer who not only gives his team a chance to win every time he
pitches, but as his record indicates, he's around to collect the
win himself. Matt will be a perfect complement to the top of the
rotation and provide valuable leadership to our younger pitchers."

Simply put, Matt Morris is not much better than league average. And for 9 mil a year, well you ought to get better than that. He is no longer a power pitcher. Left-handed hitters basically pound him. Over the last 4 years, he hasn't even averaged 200 innings per season. His ERA has risen every year since 2001, when he won 22 games, and his fastball has lost steam. Reports are he rarely hits 90 with consistency anymore.

You can say that's what the market is and maybe you're right. But you don't have to buy in that market.

On the flip side, he was much better away from Busch and is going to whatever they are calling the park in SF these days. But it also seemed as if he tired as the year went on: 3.10 pre-ASB and 5.32 post-ASB. It's another in a line of long term deals that would surprise me if it worked out well for the team.