Assuming Jason Schmidt is a Credible Source...
Jason Schmidt is on the verge of donning a blue uni. But before anybody worry about the righty being able to absorb the costs of moving his stuff to a new house, fear not. He's being very well compensated for relocating. Schmidt's hurling not only provides a legit ace presence, but his experience will help offset the defection of last season's resident Yoda. Perhaps Schmidt can even become the newest L.A. mound legend, since the last true king of the hill is likely to abdicate that title.
Obviously, it'll be hard for Schmidt to match the fan favorite status a certain now ex-Dodger became during his stint in the Ravine. My suggestion for "J to the S?" Host a petting zoo for the kids. Or exhibit a pulse rate registering slightly higher than a coma patient's. Whichever is simpler.
Also, Julio Lugo opted not to stick around. In related news, Paris Hilton makes a drunken idiot of herself and there is traffic on the 405.
AK
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AK,
HAHA! Will Schmiddy ever be so cool that he earns a nickname like "Princess"? HAHAHA!!
Posted by: LoLo | December 06, 2006 at 11:03 AM
Wow!! This is why Ned didn't match SD's Maddux offer of $10 million. He was saving money to acquire Schmidt. I think Schmidt is the PRIZE of the FREE AGENT MARKET this year! Everybody else is OVERPRICED! Schmidt, true to Ned's philosophy (acquiring talent w/ a track record of success) is the BEST pitcher on the market.
Now the Dodgers are set and got all the best deals this Winter. They only need to get a BIG BAT and have talented pitchers to trade when one becomes available at a reasonable price. Come Feb/March, teams will again come to their senses and realize they need pitching and come calling to the Dodgers to unload their HITTERS. Ned, lets get rid of Penny then, for a BAT and I will forever say you are a GM God!
Posted by: Rob | December 06, 2006 at 11:07 AM
Penny and Hall for Burrell.
Could be a good fit.
Posted by: Jim | December 06, 2006 at 11:12 AM
How about Penny and two prospects for Manny being Manny?
We now have the surplus arms to get this deal done. Deep breath; say goodbye to Kemp and Laroche, and set up the porta-potty in LF!!
Posted by: SantaMonica4Ever | December 06, 2006 at 11:32 AM
Jim,
I think we can do better than Burrel. Especially for Penny and Hall! I've been a Penny hater all last year but the guy's numbers warrant some more talent than Burrel. Penny was an All-Star and did well. He has some physical tools that can make him a "Front Line" pitcher as someone on here called him. He just LACKS a brain and heart. He needs to go to the Wizard of Oz and ask for one of each.
I want Penny gone more than any other blogger on here BUT you don't give away bargaining chips. Lets wait for a real BIG TIME HITTER. And don't just throw in Toby Hall. He is a legitimate starter in the league and catchers are hard to come by. Plus we haven't signed Lieberthal yet.
Posted by: Rob | December 06, 2006 at 11:37 AM
Brilliant! On one hand we shore up our rotation, from being solid-but-unspectacular to now (gasp!) actually quite good! On the other, this also effectively indicates we won't be committing that money to Manny in 2010. Great news all round! Have a cookie ned!
Posted by: Asa | December 06, 2006 at 11:37 AM
I thought it was funny that I kept hearing all the free-agent pitchers were waiting on Zito to "set the market". Nice of Schmiddy to make his own mark and set the mofo himself.
Posted by: LoLo | December 06, 2006 at 11:37 AM
No, no Pat Burrell. If that's the kind of power you're looking for, we've already got it. Kent and Nomar can both hit for just as much power when they're healthy. Plus Burrell's AVG sucks! I think if we're after a power hitter it should be someone that hits 35+ each year. Even the Andruw Jones talks make me nervous. I don't like power hitters with an AVG under .280. I think they're a liability in the order.
Posted by: Nils Andersen | December 06, 2006 at 11:38 AM
Keep Penny.....what a starting 5!!! maybe trade Hendrickson/Tomko for the bat.
Posted by: Fish Guy | December 06, 2006 at 11:44 AM
Here's a quick questions to all. Should we make a move for a slugger if it means breaking up this rotation?:
Schmiddy
Lowe
Penny
Wolf
Billz
I think that looks pretty damn good. It will help offset our lack of power somewhat. We still have a few other starting pitchers we can trade (Timberrr, Bombko, Dessens, Kuo, Stults) for a decent OF bat if we package them with a prospect.
Posted by: LoLo | December 06, 2006 at 11:45 AM
WOW..what a ROTATION..
Schmiddy
Lowe
Penny
Wolf
Billz
..Kuo on deck if anyone of these guy struggle..WOW!! Look like we going to get LUIS GONZALEZ. He does not have as much as power but this guy plays with ALOT OF HEART, and a GREAT outfielder..did anyone of u guy saw his crazy catch to rob the HOMERUN, and plus he has a RING wich mean experience and know what it takes to get to the playoff.
Posted by: Jimmy | December 06, 2006 at 11:51 AM
Keep Kuo,
A lot more upside than Penny in my opinion.
Posted by: Jim | December 06, 2006 at 11:56 AM
HOT STOVE, BABY!! THIS IS WHAT IT"S ALL ABOUT!!
Posted by: LoLo | December 06, 2006 at 11:57 AM
Maybe we can put Gonzo back on the roids so he puts up numbers similar to 2001.
Posted by: LoLo | December 06, 2006 at 12:07 PM
Stove just got a hell of a lot hotter.
Posted by: Jim | December 06, 2006 at 12:10 PM
There is word that we might be after Mulder or Suppan. If that happened, we would be in a better position to deal out for Jones while keeping the farm.
Posted by: Kevin | December 06, 2006 at 12:15 PM
Are those A. Jones rumors substantial?
Posted by: Fish Guy | December 06, 2006 at 12:38 PM
Mulder higher risk higher reward. Suppan lower risk lower reward. IMO
Posted by: bmurph | December 06, 2006 at 12:43 PM
STARGAZIN' NEEDS TO BE HIRED AS THE DODGERS PR GUY!!!!!!
Posted by: Jim | December 06, 2006 at 12:51 PM
Props To Lolo And Rob For The Good Responses On The Sammy Thread. After What I Seen From Kuo Last Year With My Own Eyes; I Would Trade Penny Before I Trade Him. The New Pitchers Made Penny Expendable. Besides Kuo Is A Lefty Which Makes Him More Valuable.
Posted by: THE WOLF | December 06, 2006 at 01:42 PM
Legit Starters: Lowe, Schmitt, Penny, Wolf
Up-and-coming Starter: Billingsly
Promising pitcher who is only effective as a starter: Kuo
Long-relievers who masquerade as starters: Hendrickson, Tomko, Dessens (or is he a FA?)
That is at least 8 and maybe 9 starting pitchers and starting pitcher wannabes.
The problem is Ned isn't going to be able to pawn off guys like Hendrickson, Tomko, and Dessens for anybody of decent quality. If we trade away Penny, one of these guys will be taking his place. Shudder the thought.
I like Kuo a lot. I think he has #3 starter potential if his arm can hold up. I'd hate to see him traded.
Personally, I think we should not trade anybody and go with the horses we got. Lets give guys like Loney and Kemp an opportunity to win a full-time job. If things aren't working by the all-star break then Ned can move Penny for some power, or Tomko and Hendrickson for a quality mid-level rent-a-player.
Len
Posted by: Len Penzo | December 06, 2006 at 01:45 PM
I like the addition of Schmidt....I'm hoping that we can deal Penny and whoever else to get Beltre...I hear Seattle wants to dump Sexson and Beltre....I'm glad we didn't give up our best kids for Manny...especially want to keep Loney and Kemp...they have alot of upside if we have patience...remember what happened to Konerko after we let him go?....a little patience is required...Also...will hate to see Gagne in another uniform..have been reading teams will give him a 1 yr deal betwn..$5-9 mill...amazing...He should be a Dodger for life!
What are the odds that Boston fans get on Drew this year!!!!!!????? lol
Posted by: Kate | December 06, 2006 at 01:49 PM
That rotation certainly does look awfully strong, and it doesn't even include Kuo. Now, the Dodgers really have some leverage, if they truly want to go after the big bat.
I'm not so sure that it is necessary. They did just fine last year, with the achilles heel being that dreaded middle relief. The significantly improved rotation may take care of that problem.
But there are some good bargaining chips now available.
Posted by: Dodgerdog | December 06, 2006 at 01:58 PM
Doesn't Gonzo hate the Dodgers? He was at the front of the pack during those run-ins with the D-backs last year. I guess nothing a little cash wouldn't cure!
Posted by: Steve M. | December 06, 2006 at 02:07 PM
I thought about doing the ol' "my take" post on this signing, but then figured, why bother? There's not, frankly, enough potential downside to make this anything but an affirmation of what we already know- it's a good move. Sure, he could get hurt, but the same could be said of just about anyone. Sure, it's a lot of money, but with what they've taken off the books with Drew, Gagne, etc., it's not that bad. Plus, it's not my money, and the guy has a solid track record. And best of all, it leaves them with a surplus of starting pitchers. There's never a downside to that.
I agree with whoever mentioned we won't be getting anything of quality for Tomko, Hendrickson, Dessens, etc., but remember, too, even if they trade Penny and something happens to one of the starters, you're still talking about those guys as fifth starters. Not really a big deal.
BK
Posted by: Brian Kamenetzky | December 06, 2006 at 02:09 PM