Dodgers Sign Jason Schmidt

I like this deal for a few reasons.

- It's a big money ($47 million), but short term (3 years). Plus, the per year money is actually below market for what pitchers are going for this offseason (Padilla for $33 million???).
- It takes the Giants' best pitcher off their staff and puts him onto ours.
- It makes one of our pitchers expendable in our hunt for the mythical "big bat."

So here's our current 25 man roster, as far as I can tell.
Starting Pitchers:
Lowe, Schmidt, Penny (part of deal for the "big bat?), Billingsley, Wolf/Kuo
Bullpen:
Hendrickson, Tomko, Dessens, Broxton, Beimel, Saito, Kuo (if not starting or AAA?)
Catchers:
Martin, Leiberthal (well done, Ned!)
Infielders:
Nomar, Kent, Loney, Furcal, Betemit, Saenz, Martinez
Outfielders:
Ethier, Pierre, Anderson, Werth (says his wrist is better, who knows), Repko(AAA?)

That's not taking into account the possibility that Kemp is ready for the big leagues by mid-season, or that Brazoban could be back in the bullpen. I think as constructed, this is easily the best team in the NL west, and can maybe go deep in the playoffs. There are some big bats out there, but they only seem to be attached to guys who are terrible defensively (Manny Ramirez, Adam Dunn, Pat Burrell). I'd be much happier just sitting tight, seeing if any of the young guys can improve their hitting (Ethier/Kemp/Loney), and if not, deal for someone closer to the trading deadline using our plethora of starting pitching.

So far (except for the Pierre deal), I say well done, Ned. Well done.

This entry was posted by VJ, on Wednesday, December 06, 2006. You can leave your response.