I've always thought it is a little presumptious to criticze a GM if a player chooses to go elsewhere. It sounds the Cubs offered him a deal, and so did LA. The player is incomplete control in the free aganet market, one of the few times in their career. If he wanted to stay out west that is more of a relfection of Schmidt's personal interest, not a negative against Hendry. If Hendry didn't even pursue him, then there would be an argument. But it looks like he did, and Schmidt decided to stay on the West Coast. The fact that the Cubs weren't mentioned as teams the Dodgers beat out to get Schmidt and the Cards were is the reason for my comment. Anyways, Jimbo is likely in full freakout mode and is currently outbidding himself several times to lock up Lilly and Meche The Rosenthal article claims that he beat out the Cardinals and I believe the Mariners.