Grant here.

This is a blog about Barry Zito and mistakes. Actually, it’s about something I call Zito Mistakes.

The Giants made the first major Zito Mistake in history when they signed the guy.

I almost made another big one a few days ago. I play fantasy baseball and my team’s in first place right now. Every person I’ve picked up off waivers this year has been a keeper: Buster Posey, Andres Torres, Madison Bumgarner, Trevor Cahill, Adrian Beltre, and Brandon Morrow. I’ve made almost zero mistakes. But the Blue Jays shut Brandon Morrow down for the season today, breaking my chops, so I had to pick up one more pitcher for the last month of the season.

I looked at waivers, and Barry Zito’s name jumped out at me. Someone had just dropped him. I already have Jonathan Sanchez and Bumgarner, so picking up Zito, the number two man in the Giants’ rotation, seemed like a no brainer.

Luckily I ran the idea past my dad.

“What are you, nuts?” he exploded. “Don’t do that. He’s a terrible pitcher. Wait until he pitches at the Dodgers.”

So that’s what I did. And boy, last night Zito was a mistake. But he always has been. He pitches just bad enough for the Giants to lose. That’s what he did last night. He gave up the early home run like he always does, and when the Giants tied the game, he started the next inning walking the first two batters, and then gave up the lead on a hit by the pitcher.

Barry Zito is a living, breathing mistake, and he will not be a part of my first-place fantasy team. I picked up J.A. Happ instead.

What the Giants have to decide is where Zito fits in a playoff series. If they decide on anything other than the bench, that’s the biggest mistake. Their rotation should be Lincecum and Cain, and either Sanchez or Bumgarner. Even bringing Zito in for relief would be a mistake.

The Giants can’t afford to make any more Zito Mistakes this season. And your Average Joe can’t afford to make a Zito Mistake ever.