When the A’s signed Barry Zito to a minor league contract this offseason, it was a low risk high reward deal.  Oakland’s rotation will be without the likes of Jeff Samardzija and Jon Lester this season; two big names that contributed to last year’s threatening rotation.  They will also be without Jarrod Parker and A.J. Griffin for some time as they recover from Tommy John’s.  

Zito had much success in Oakland from 2000-2006 during the Moneyball era, and was a part of the “Big 3” featuring Tim Hudson, Mark Mulder, and, of course, Zito.  Now he’s back looking to get his career on track once again.

The lefty has done well this spring making a case to secure a spot in the A’s rotation.  In five games this spring, he’s pitched 15.2 innings and allowed only seven hits and four earned runs for a 2.30 ERA.  

Zito’s last few seasons with the San Francisco Giants did not treat him well.  In fact, his numbers were vastly different when he went across the bay; he just wasn’t the same after leaving Oakland.  As a veteran, he has offered more than just a good performance on the mound for the A’s thus far this spring.  He’s won championships with the Giants and brings that experience to a club hungry to make it past the first round in the playoffs.  He also brings a veteran presence to a younger clubhouse and can teach a young pitching staff tricks of the trade.  Regardless of if he makes the roster, he is already providing the A’s pitchers will great knowledge they will use in their careers moving forward.  

So, does Zito still have what it takes to be in a big league roster?

Well, his performance this spring certainly suggests so.  He’s done extremely well, and has a legitimate shot at being a member of the Oakland A’s, once again, in 2015.  That being said, the A’s coaches have seen some good outings by these youngsters looking to make the rotation as well.  Kendall Graveman, Drew Pomeranz, and Jesse Chavez seem to also be frontrunners for the final three spots in the rotation, and have been impressive in camp.  

If Zito were to not make the A’s roster, there are other teams that could use him in their rotation, especially with the way he’s been pitching.