Shock and awe another ex-Giant heads to La La land to reunite with Neddy. Reports are that Jason Schmidt has signed with the Dodgers for a 3/47 deal. Those who remember the Furcal signing will notice this deal is somewhat similar. Paying more per year to make the contract shorter. Watching Schmidt turn to the dark side is going to be awfully hard for a lot of Giants fans but we all knew that Schmidt wasn’t coming back. Going to the Dodgers is just the extra kick in the pants. Alright, maybe two kicks.

For now the Dodgers rotation is lookin’ mighty fine. On paper a rotation of Schmidt, Lowe, Penny, Billinglsey, and Kuo looks solid from top to bottom. Penny is the favorite to get traded with the acquisition of Schmidt so don’t count on seeing him in Dodger blue in ’07. Jason obviously wanted to stay on the west coast and chose the Dodgers over offers from the Cardinals and Mariners.

Draft pick wise Schmidt going to the Dodgers is good for the Giants. The best scenario would have been the Cardinals who held the 18th pick but Dodgers will give the Giants their first round pick at 22. The Mariners first round pick was protected. This is good news for Giants fans who know that the team needs an injection of youth. The 2007 draft looks to be a strong one and the Giants are going to have 3 first round picks (10,22,29) and 3 sandwich round picks. Even though it stings Giants fans to see Schmidt in LA we definitely can look forward to the draft in hopes of landing some good, young talent.