The contract ties for the sixth largest overall, matching the $126 million, seven-year extension agreed to this month by Toronto and center fielder Vernon Wells. The Giants were looking for someone to fill the void left when ace Jason Schmidt departed earlier this month for the rival Los Angeles Dodgers.

“This was a definite want and need on the part of our ballclub,” general manager Brian Sabean said. “On a whole, everybody in the organization, including the players, are beside themselves for what this means for the organization.”

Zito is determined to become a better hitter considering his at-bats will be far greater in the National League. He has one hit in 29 career at-bats and plans to take any advice he can from Bonds, who agreed to a $16 million, one-year contract to return to the Giants for a 15th season.

The 42-year-old Bonds is 22 home runs from passing home run king Hank Aaron’s all-time record of 755. Zito expects the two Barrys to co-exist nicely.

“To play with Barry Bonds is something I think every guy would want to do,” said Zito, flattered to be talked about in the same breath as the seven-time NL MVP. “It gave me chills actually. It’s great to be mentioned in the same sentence as Barry Bonds. I used to watch Barry growing up.”

Zito insists all the money won’t affect him and he will remain focused on his job: getting batters out and staying ready every fifth day.

He said that “when you try to become some superhuman cartoon character ... that’s when things go wrong.”

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The 28-year-old Zito, a three-time All-Star, was a 16-game winner in 2006 and helped the A’s win the AL West and reach their first AL championship series since 1992. Oakland GM Billy Beane knew he had little chance at re-signing Zito, who will lead a rotation also featuring Matt Cain, Noah Lowry and Matt Morris. The No. 5 spot is still to be determined.

“I think it’s a great addition,” Morris said. “Barry is an upper-echelon pitcher who is going to go out every fifth day. He’s very reliable and durable and gives you a chance to win every time out. It’s a ton of money, but that’s what they’re paying. I think it’s great.”

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