Oakland pitcher Barry Zito is headed across the bay to the San Francisco Giants, where he has agreed a seven-year, US$126 million deal, the San Francisco Chronicle reported on Thursday.

It would be the biggest deal in baseball history for a pitcher.

According to the Chronicle, Zito will be formally introduced by the Giants on Friday.

Zito would be the fourth player this offseason to sign for at least US$100 million, joining Alfonso Soriano, Vernon Wells and Carlos Lee.

Soriano inked an eight-year, US$136 million deal with the Chicago Cubs, Wells signed a seven-year, US$136 million deal with Toronto and Lee signed with Houston for US$100 million over six years.

The Dallas Morning News reported Thursday that Zito rejected the Texas Rangers' offer of a six-year contract worth more than US$80 million in guaranteed money.

The New York Mets, New York Yankees, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim and Seattle also reportedly had expressed interest in the lefthander.

In his prime at 28 years old, Zito spent his first seven seasons with the Oakland Athletics, winning the Cy Young Award in 2002, when he went 23-5 with a 2.75 ERA.

Landing Zito would be a major move for the Giants, who were in desperate need of an ace after Jason Schmidt signed a three-year, US$47 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

A three-time All-Star, Zito has been a workhorse throughout his career, pitching more than 200 innings in each of the last six seasons. He went 16-10 with a 3.83 ERA in 34 starts last season.

Zito owns a career record 102-63 with a 3.55 ERA in 222 starts. He has made seven career postseason starts, going 4-3 with a 3.25 ERA.

(China Daily December 30, 2006)