The Obvious Happens, Obviously...

Even the casual dodger fan knew something was up. The dodgers sign a power pitcher and he comes into spring training throwing an 88-91 m.p.h. fastball. This does not pass the smell test. Of course I'm discussing Jason Schmidt.

Some people are angered because the obvious wasn't confessed to by the dodgers organization to the fans. So what? It was obvious! Colletti signed two guys that haven't really worked out. It happens. One was obvious, but the Jason Schmidt one was not. It's not like other teams weren't putting in bids on the guy. I'm sure after the first pitch in spring training the trainers, Jason Schmidt, and dodger executives sat down and discussed Charlie Brown's career plans. Why am I so sure? Because it's obvious. They all must have agreed to attempt get him back to where he's supposed to be by rest, rehabilitation and it didn't work out. Why am I so sure? Because that's what happened. Plan C unfortunately is surgery.

For some reason I'm not all riled up about losing Jason Schmidt. Although the Dodgers signed him we never really had him. We had some imposter that throws in the high 80's and has a really bad w.h.i.p. Who cares if that guy is out for the rest of the year. He was supposed to be the big free agent name that was going to anchor our rotation. It was already anchored. Lowe and Penny have been great. If we didn't have a guy all primed to take his job in Chad Billingsley maybe I'd feel differently.

What do I think will happen from here? He could get his arm back after they clean out his shoulder or it will fail and he will just be a 90mph fastball power pitcher that has to learn now to change speeds. Nah...he will go through the surgery and come back to the next spring training throwing 88-90 mph and retire a la Bill Mueller and disappear somewhere in the dodgers office as some Colletti assistant with some kind of settlement on his contract. Hopefully I'm wrong.

I wish Jason Schmidt the best. I wish it (rest and rehab on his arm) had worked out better for him. I'm sure he feels the same. Hopefully next spring training he is proving me wrong by bringing it.