Dodgers Reach Tentative Three-Year Deal With Schmidt

This article is from the archive of The New York Sun before the launch of its new website in 2022. The Sun has neither altered nor updated such articles but will seek to correct any errors, mis-categorizations or other problems introduced during transfer.

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LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — One day after three former Dodgers agreed to terms with other teams, the club yesterday reached a tentative agreement with free-agent pitcher Jason Schmidt, and is involved in serious negotiations with outfielder Luis Gonzalez.

Schmidt’s deal would be for three years and $47 million, according to a source close to the negotiations. The Dodgers allowed free agent pitcher Greg Maddux to go to the San Diego Padres without making a serious offer to re-sign him, all along knowing Schmidt probably would end up in L.A.

Schmidt, who will turn 34 before spring training, developed a strong relationship with the Dodgers general manager, Ned Colletti, after signing with the San Francisco Giants in 2001. Colletti was the team’s assistant general manager until taking the Dodgers job a year ago. Another factor in Schmidt’s decision was the addition of Stan Conte to the Dodgers medical staff. Conte was the Giants longtime head trainer and will have even more responsibility with the Dodgers.

The right-hander was 11–9 with a 3.59 earned run average last season and has posted a winning record every year since 2000. Schmidt also has been pursued by the Seattle Mariners and St. Louis Cardinals.

Gonzalez is seeking a two-year deal, but as of yesterday afternoon the Dodgers, St. Louis Cardinals, and Baltimore Orioles would offer only one year. Gonzalez’s agent, Gregg Clifton, indicated that if the offers remained about the same, his client would probably choose to play for the Dodgers because he’d prefer to remain in the National League West after eight seasons with the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Gonzalez was expected to make a decision before the end of last night.

— Los Angeles Times

***

Andy Pettitte decided yesterday he will pitch next year rather than retire, a move that will set off negotiations with his hometown Houston Astros and the Yankees.

“Andy told me he wants to play in 2007 and perhaps beyond,” his agent, Randy Hendricks, said.

Pettitte played for the Yankees from 1995–03, helping New York win four World Series and six AL pennants. He spent the last three seasons with the Astros, who reached the World Series for the first time in 2005.

Hendricks is expected to talk primarily with the Yankees and Astros.

“There is no timetable other than all deliberate speed,” Hendricks said.

Pettitte was 14–13 with a 4.20 ERA in 35 starts for the Astros last season. His decision to leave the Yankees in 2003 also caused New York teammate Roger Clemens to put off retirement and sign with the Astros.

Associated Press

NY Sun
NEW YORK SUN CONTRIBUTOR

This article is from the archive of The New York Sun before the launch of its new website in 2022. The Sun has neither altered nor updated such articles but will seek to correct any errors, mis-categorizations or other problems introduced during transfer.


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