Schmidt out of the picture?

[CP_414]

Mariners: Right-handed pitcher Jason Schmidt -- one of the top free-agent arms on the market this winter -- has narrowed his choices to returning to San Francisco or joining the Mariners next season, according to the Houston Chronicle. Schmidt is from Longview, Wash., and is believed to be interested in pitching in his home state. That could help the Mariners' chances of landing him. Schmidt faced the same decision following the 2001 season. His agent made a verbal commitment to sign with the Mariners, but Schmidt changed his mind several hours later, and re-signed with the Giants.

 

http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20061104&content_id=1733239&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb

 

 

If true it is all the more important to win the Matsuzaka bidding.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Jason Schmidt -- one of the top free-agent arms on the market this winter -- has narrowed his choices to returning to San Francisco or joining the Mariners next season, according to the Houston Chronicle.

[hardcorecubfan]

Jason Schmidt -- one of the top free-agent arms on the market this winter -- has narrowed his choices to returning to San Francisco or joining the Mariners next season, according to the Houston Chronicle.

 

You know us Texans we are up on everything around the country accept for good governor candidates and presidiential nominees

[CP_414]

I assume it was a Richard Justice report which is plausable. He is more of a national baseball guy than a Stros guy anyway. Plus it's not like this would be out of left field. Most people figured it would come down to those two teams anyway, right?

[Neuby]

really puts the pressure on the Cubs to land DM if there not interesteed in Zito because those are the only three top of the rotation starters out there iin free agency.

[synergy]

yea but it also depends where those guys wanna play. IMO Cubs should go all out to get Matsuzaka. Zito doesn't want to play for the Cubs. So if Schmidt is off the table, they should go hard after the japanese guy.

[Backtobanks]

I understand wanting to play close to home, but this will probably be Schmidt's last big payday and I wouldn't narrow the choices (or at least announce that I had). Let the Yankees, Mets, and Red Sox drive up the bidding before you make a decision.

[frostwyrm]

yea but it also depends where those guys wanna play. IMO Cubs should go all out to get Matsuzaka. Zito doesn't want to play for the Cubs. So if Schmidt is off the table, they should go hard after the japanese guy.

 

Did Zito really say he won't play for the Cubs? What is the source?

[VanceJergins]

yea but it also depends where those guys wanna play. IMO Cubs should go all out to get Matsuzaka. Zito doesn't want to play for the Cubs. So if Schmidt is off the table, they should go hard after the japanese guy.

 

Did Zito really say he won't play for the Cubs? What is the source?

 

"Why would n e 1 want to play for the cobs with fat hendry"

 

-Hendryisfat from the Cubs.com message board.

 

I'm pretty sure thats the source.

[Magnetic Curses]

if we place the winning bid for DM, the worst case scenario is that he doesn't want to play for us and we're forced to trade him for hughes, right?

[Yeti]

 

"Why would n e 1 want to play for the cobs with fat hendry"

 

-Hendryisfat from the Cubs.com message board.

 

I'm pretty sure thats the source.

that sounds pretty familiar...DisgrunteledCubsFan is that you? :-k

[TheDude]

according to Buster Olney's blog, Schmidt isn't committed to Seattle:

 

I've heard the Yankees' Plan B, if they don't get Matsuzaka, will be the pursuit of Jason Schmidt. Talked to his agent the other day, and he said that any perception that Schmidt is devoted to the idea of playing close to his home in Washington is "completely inaccurate" and that he hasn't ruled out any team, in any time zone.

 

Fingers-crossed still.

[goonys evil twin]

according to Buster Olney's blog, Schmidt isn't committed to Seattle:

 

I've heard the Yankees' Plan B, if they don't get Matsuzaka, will be the pursuit of Jason Schmidt. Talked to his agent the other day, and he said that any perception that Schmidt is devoted to the idea of playing close to his home in Washington is "completely inaccurate" and that he hasn't ruled out any team, in any time zone.

 

Fingers-crossed still.

 

I'd bet this is just a negotiating plea.

[CuseCubFan69]

Schmidt will go where the money is just like most free agents do.

[Twiggy]

I'd rather take Zito, he is my #1 free agent to get.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

While Zito is younger and likely a better bet for a long-term deal, Schmidt is better.

[goonys evil twin]

While Zito is younger and likely a better bet for a long-term deal, Schmidt is better.

 

Perhaps, but maybe not.

 

On an ERA+ basis, the results are mixed.

 

Schmidt was better last year, 126-116, but Zito was better the year before, 116-94. Zito also has the career number, 127-110.

 

I don't think there's anything close to a guarantee that Schmidt will be better in 2007, and anything beyond that might go even further into Zito's favor.

[UK1679666180]

I can't see Zito leaving the West Coast. He's a SD guy & ideally if he held no attachments to Oakland he would go to the Pads. Like Oakland, the money isn't probably there in SD.

[frostwyrm]

While Zito is younger and likely a better bet for a long-term deal, Schmidt is better.

 

Perhaps, but maybe not.

 

On an ERA+ basis, the results are mixed.

 

Schmidt was better last year, 126-116, but Zito was better the year before, 116-94. Zito also has the career number, 127-110.

 

I don't think there's anything close to a guarantee that Schmidt will be better in 2007, and anything beyond that might go even further into Zito's favor.

With Zito you pay for his track record of durability. 6 straight years with at least 213 IP is pretty awesome. It's one of the biggest reasons I believe he should be a primary target for the Cubs.

[goonys evil twin]

I can't see Zito leaving the West Coast. He's a SD guy & ideally if he held no attachments to Oakland he would go to the Pads. Like Oakland, the money isn't probably there in SD.

 

All else being equal, I could see him staying. But I also can't see many west coast teams putting up the money others would. It's not like he's an old man nearing retirement who feels the need to be around his wife and kids. I'm not going to say he'd be foolish to pass up bigger bucks just to stay on the west coast. But I'd really have to question his motivation if his main decision rests on where the best surf is.

[UK1679666180]

I can't see Zito leaving the West Coast. He's a SD guy & ideally if he held no attachments to Oakland he would go to the Pads. Like Oakland, the money isn't probably there in SD.

 

All else being equal, I could see him staying. But I also can't see many west coast teams putting up the money others would. It's not like he's an old man nearing retirement who feels the need to be around his wife and kids. I'm not going to say he'd be foolish to pass up bigger bucks just to stay on the west coast. But I'd really have to question his motivation if his main decision rests on where the best surf is.

 

I think he goes to one of the LA teams.

[TheDude]

I can't see Zito leaving the West Coast. He's a SD guy & ideally if he held no attachments to Oakland he would go to the Pads. Like Oakland, the money isn't probably there in SD.

 

I don't see that as much of a relevant career decision for a single guy with no kids. Zito will likely follow the money and his numbers also likely look better in the National League.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Zito may want to be re-united with Peterson in NY. Furthermore, the money should be there for him in NY.

[UK1679666180]

I can't see Zito leaving the West Coast. He's a SD guy & ideally if he held no attachments to Oakland he would go to the Pads. Like Oakland, the money isn't probably there in SD.

 

I don't see that as much of a relevant career decision for a single guy with no kids. Zito will likely follow the money and his numbers also likely look better in the National League.

 

I'm only going by what I've heard and I've heard it from a couple of people.

[goonys evil twin]

Zito may want to be re-united with Peterson in NY.

 

Unless he's sick of the mullet.