Author: Anthony Stalter (Page 1432 of 1503)

One could call the Chicago Cubs organization many things, but idle is not one of them. On Thursday the Cubs officially signed free agent pitcher Ted Lilly to a four-year contract worth reportedly $40 million. Lilly joins Aramis Ramirez, Alfonso Soriano and Mark DeRosa in players that Chicago has signed over the offseason.

It’s been well documented that Lilly has a fiery persona, which came to fruition last season when he barked at Toronto Blue Jays manager John Gibbons for pulling him out of a game. With that said, Lilly has to be perfect for the Cubs and new manager Lou Piniella doesn’t he?

All of a sudden, Chicago’s starting rotation is starting to at least take shape. Carlos Zambrano is solid, Lilly is a nice addition and hopefully Rich Harden keeps developing. If the Cubs can add one more arm, Mark Prior or Wade Miller look a hell of a lot safer in a No. 5 role than a top-of-the-rotation starter.

MLB.com is reporting that free agent starting pitcher Jason Schmidt will sign a three-year contract with the L.A. Dodgers.

Although Schmidt’s age and health is a concern, he brings a popping fastball and a nasty slider to the mound for the Dodgers. Being in San Francisco for the better part of a decade, he’s also used to the National League and even more so, the NL West. All and all, this is a great move for the Dodgers and given what other free agents are receiving, a bargain in terms of contract price.

The signing of Schmidt leaves the Dodgers most hated rival in shambles. San Fran wasn’t necessarily ready to anoint top prospect Matt Cain as the No. 1 starter, but might have to given who’s behind him in the rotation. The Giants are filled with young pitching talent, but coconut GM Brian Sabean has been rumored to be dangling most of it in front of Seattle for Richie Sexson. If Sabean stays pat with youngsters, which rarely happens (just ask Francisco Liriano and Boof Bonser), the Giants could have a nice rotation someday in Cain, Lowry, Jonathan Sanchez, Kevin Correia and Brad Hennessy. San Fran also has one of the best pitching prospects in the minor leagues in 22-year-old Tim Lincecum.

Apparently, the Giants are interested in Barry Zito, but he’s only 28. Zito is about eight years younger than what Sabean looks for in a player and would never pay him the $100 million that he’s seeking. Instead, Sabean will probably end up selling all of his young talent for some 36-year-old on the down side of his career and than turn around and sign David Wells as his No. 1 guy.

So, the Boston Red Sox have signed J.D. Drew, huh? And gave him a five year contract for $70 million? I hope for Drew’s sake that he brings a lunch because Boston is no picnic.

The fact of the matter is Drew was run out of Los Angles by the media. Whenever the L.A. media questioned Drew for poor play, his scoffing attitude and bubbling personality never went over too well. His injury history would make Fragile Fred Taylor blush. Now he wants to play in Boston? Newsflash for J.D. Drew: the Boston media isn’t anywhere near L.A.’s, my man. The media in Boston is intelligent, well prepared and never lays off the gas pedal. Drew better have an answer ready for when he goes 0 for 4 or when he’s out 15 games for a hangnail. They’re going to question why Drew got a five-year deal for $70 million when Theo Epstein said that was too much for fan favorite Johnny Damon a few years ago.

Not that Drew isn’t a talent, because he very much is. But if the Red Sox end up trading Manny Rameriz, Drew is going to fold like a tent as a centerpiece in the Boston lineup. Look at A-Rod in New York. All the talent in the world can’t save you from the claws of the media if you don’t have the Tom Brady or Derek Jeter personality.