[Kodiak]

Still not a done deal....

LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLA. — Despite numerous reports free agent righthander Jason Schmidt had agreed to accept a three-year, $47 million offer from the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Cardinals believed Wednesday night that they remained a player for their No. 1 pitching target after modifying their bid earlier in the day.

"It's our understanding that he hasn't signed," general manager Walt Jocketty insisted shortly after meeting with Schmidt's agents, Alan and Randy Hendricks.

Jocketty expected a resolution within the next 24 to 48 hours, a prediction that is likely to come true before the Cardinals' traveling party leaves the winter meetings around noon today.

Jocketty said Monday that the Cardinals would not offer any pitcher a contract with a higher average annual value than the $44.5 million extension given Carpenter.

Some interpreted Jocketty's pronouncement as meaning that the club would not exceed the average annual value of the $63.5 million owed Carpenter over the next five seasons. However, the Cardinals defined extension as "new money" — $14 million in 2009; $14.5 million in 2010; $15 million in 2011; and a $1 million buyout. There are $3 million worth of appearance incentives that became guaranteed within the new deal.

http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/spo...6?OpenDocument