The Dodgers signed Jason Schmidt prior to the 2007 season to come to Los Angeles and be the stud he was in San Francisco.
Can we safely agree that it has not happened?
Schmidt hasn't been on a Major League mound since June 16 of 2007 and the $48 million dollars the Dodgers gave him has equaled into six starts, one win and an ERA of 6.31.
Now, the long awaited return of Mr. Schmidt is upon us as he will start against the Reds here in about 30 minutes.
So what should we expect out of the former All-Star?
For starters, let's not expect him to throw the ball in the high or mid 90's. He might not even touch 90.
I wouldn't expect him to pitch great, and I wouldn't expect him to go too deep in the ballgame.
You have to believe he will have some butterflies, but you also have to believe that he is very determined to justify his contract to at least a small, small degree.
What I am getting at is wondering whether he will be the answer to the rotation problems that the Dodgers have. The team needs someone to solidify the No. 5 spot, and you have to know that Frank McCourt would like to see Schmidt take the bull by the horns so he doesn't have to give up prospects and spend more money on a guy like Roy Halladay or Erik Bedard.
If Schmidt can make 10-12 starts and be solid, do the Dodgers have the answer or should they keep looking? Should they just assume that he won't be able to make those starts?
That is probably the safe move. I am not counting on Schmidt to last the rest of the season, and I have no expectations of how tonight will go. I am very, very cautiously optimistic, mostly because the guy will be pitching for a contract next year.
However, I highly doubt he will stay healthy, and he doesn't have the stuff to fight through the pain.
Schmidt is not the answer, but I am intrigued by the fact that he will be on the mound tonight. Let's see if he can get us three wins or so before he disappears and his enigmatic Dodger career is over.
Jason Schmidt is obviously not the answer, after watching him throw 83 mph for the first two innings.
if we are lucky, schmidt will hold the fort until a trade gets made. if they dont make a trade, then its time to put mcdonald back in the rotation.
maury wills is right about hoping he holds the fort down until a trade is made, but remember we were playing a weak reds team...Do we really want Schmidt to throw his puss against the Phillies???
Dont care what happens to Doc as long as he doesnt go to the phillies! Ned what are you going to do??? His own option is on the line if he screws this year up!