Good point on the Piazza option, I bet he’ll sign for more than that with some other team. Word is Oakland is after him as a DH. I’d be really surprised to see him back.

No one seems to want Bonds but Bud Black had good things to say about him recently. If we sign him, foam rubber syringes could replace the inflatable shillelagh as next year’s hottest gimmick.

If true that’s another LF option off the market. Our options seem to be:
Lee (too risky)
Soriano (too expensive)
Burrell
Dunn
Drew (Boston bound)
Bonds (ugh)

Burrell and Dunn would be ok if we don’t have to give up the farm. Who else is available?
Trot Nixon? David Dellucci? Peavy and Linebrink to ATL for Giles and Jones?

Akinori Ostuka +
(1 year w/o Eaton) +
several million dollars

-for-

Adrian Gonzalez
Chris Young
Adam Eaton

I’d do that 7 days a week and twice on sunday.

OK throw LA in the mix, too.

“It looks like the Mariners will have serious company in their pursuit of top right-handed free-agent Jason Schmidt. The Dodgers are expected to join in the hunt, and the Yankees are another possibility.

Schmidt’s handlers have been fighting an uphill battle to dispel the notion that he very much wants to remain on the West Coast. The Mets aren’t convinced and are focusing elsewhere (Barry Zito), while the Yankees, said by one official to “love” Schmidt, also are skeptical as to whether Schmidt would move 2,500 miles. This perception could end up costing Schmidt and making him the one true bargain among front-line starters in a free-agent market that’s been described as “white hot” by excited agents.”

You are right about the value of starting pitching, but it sounds like Schmidt only wants to play on the West Coast, preferably Seattle (or SF). The Angels seem to have other plans for their money (Zito, a bat), SF may let him walk if he wants a multi-year deal (he isn’t going to bring them the Series with their current team) , and I haven’t heard anything on the Dodgers wanting to pick him up. That leaves Seattle, and they have some big contracts already and a long-term deal on a pitcher with health issues doesn’t seem like the move that will bring them the division title.

So two years (maybe an option with a buyout) at 10 mil. might entice Schmidt to sign with the reigning division champs. SD is a nice place to play and live during the season, Petco is a pitcher’s park, and the Pads have a much better chance of winning next year than the Mariners — and Schmidt is not getting any younger. May be his last chance to get a ring. Then again, I’m kind of talking out of my a**, so he could sign a 5 yr. deal with the Mets.

If the Pads even have to go three years, no way we will sign him.

Enough people need pitching, he can get a longer deal…

I like the idea of Alou. I think he could be a great fit, depending on who else we get…