Good News for the Giants?

Rick Peterson was fired (freed?) by the New York Mets today. If all you read was the headline, you know that Mets manager Willie Randolph was fired, but along with him Peterson and first base coach Tom Nieto were also let go.

What's in it for the San Francisco Giants? Peterson was the pitching coach when Barry Zito had his best years. Zito connected well with Perterson and there was much speculation he would sign with the Mets to be reunited with him. That was before the Giants wowed him with his 8 year, 128 million dollar contract. Zito has never pitched like a pitcher worthy of $18M a year. Frankly, I don't think he deserved it as he is not a staff ace, at best a #2 pitcher, more likely a #3. Right now Zito is pitching like a #5, and that's even debatable. Perhaps Peterson can bring out the best Zito can give the Giants.

There are hangups. There always are. First of all, the Giants have an excellent pitching coach in Dave Righetti. Secondly, when Peterson left the A's to go to the Mets he stated a desire to be closer to his family in New Jersey.

So what to do? Don't worry, I have an answer.

Hire Peterson as a consultant. School is just out so he could bring his family to San Francisco for the summer. He could work with Zito, in consultation with Righetti. When the Giants are on road trips he could either stay behind and meet the team when Zito pitches to give in game feedback, or treat it like with the Mets and go on the road trip. In August he could take his family back to NJ, get them settled and return for the remainder of the season. Playoffs won't be a worry.

That's my 2 cents.