Dodgers replace Maddux with ace Schmidt

JP · 12-07-2006, 03:28 PM

Quote:

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- The Dodgers, who lost three players to free agency on Tuesday, reloaded in a big way Wednesday.

Free-agent pitcher Jason Schmidt and the Los Angeles Dodgers reached agreement on a three-year contract worth $47 million.

As with all signings, Schmidt needs to pass a physical before the deal is official.

The team has been in the market for a starting pitcher, especially after losing Greg Maddux to the Padres on Tuesday.

Dodgers general manager Ned Colletti previously worked as a front-office executive while Schmidt was pitching for the Giants.

Schmidt's $10 million option for 2006 was exercised by the Giants, but they knew they might lose him as a free agent this offseason. The 33-year-old right-hander seemed ready for a change of scenery from San Francisco, which has endured two straight losing seasons and three in a row out of the playoffs.

Some scouts seemed more interested in Schmidt this season than Oakland's Barry Zito, who is expected to leave the A's and sign with a big-spending team.

Schmidt was the Giants' lone All-Star this season and went 11-9 with a 3.59 ERA. In Los Angeles, he'll join a rotation that includes right-hander Derek Lowe (16-8, 3.63), All-Star game starter Brad Penny (16-9, 4.33), youngster Chad Billingsley (7-4, 3.80) and newcomer Randy Wolf, a 2003 All-Star who had major elbow surgery in July 2005.

The Dodgers finished fourth in the NL with a 4.23 ERA last season. They won the wild card before getting swept by the Mets in the first round of the playoffs.

Schmidt spent the past 5Ã‚Â½ seasons with the Giants and also has pitched for Atlanta and Pittsburgh. He was the only one of seven remaining free agents offered arbitration by the Giants last Friday, but San Francisco general manager Brian Sabean was doubtful that Schmidt might still accept.

"It probably had sailed," Sabean said. "He got his payday. It just wasn't going to be with us."

Schmidt was determined to explore his options this winter -- though his preference was to remain on the West Coast -- knowing he could be signing the final contract of his career. He pitched 213 1/3 innings last season, the third time in four years he went over the 200-inning mark.

On June 6, Schmidt struck out a career-high 16 in a 2-1 win over the Florida Marlins. He matched the 102-year-old franchise record for strikeouts set by Hall of Famer Christy Mathewson on Oct. 3, 1904, against the Cardinals.

The NL pitcher of the month for May after going 4-0 with a 1.17 ERA, Schmidt also broke the San Francisco record of 15 strikeouts accomplished by Hall of Famer Gaylord Perry in 1966.

Schmidt signed a four-year contract before the 2002 season that included the $10 million club option for last season.

I loved Schmidt when he was on the Giants. He was great when he played us, so i got to see him pitch alot and he will definately help our rotation. Him, Penny, Lowe can make it to the playoffs again.

Thoughts?

StylesÃ‚â„¢ · 12-07-2006, 04:54 PM

Great sign by the Dodgers too bad they couldn't keep Maddux too or they would have had an amazing line up....Dodgers should be a top contender for the NL West Division against the padres

Dodgers replace Maddux with ace Schmidt

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