Zito moves to top of list

Mark Hale at The NY Post, writes about The Mets aiming for Barry Zito:

Zito now potentially moves to the head of their agenda. The Mets do not think Zito is a better pitcher than Roy Oswalt. But they recognize that, as a free agent, Zito will receive at least what Oswalt did - five years at $73 million.

If the requests stay in that range, the Mets plan on being players because they like that the lefty is durable, should get a benefit if he switches to the NL and should gain an edge if he is reunited with pitching coach Rick Peterson.

The Mets, though, recognize that Zito's agent, Scott Boras, will shoot for six or seven years and probably has to prioritize finishing Matsuzaka's contract with Boston first.