Schmidt to the Cubs?

Sports Illustrated is reporting that Jason Schmidt has been offered a three year deal to the right hander valued at $45 million. The Cubs are apparently very serious about contending now, as they have spent nearly $240 million dollars on long term contracts to free agents this year. Schmidt would be a great addition for the Cubs as he would bolster their rotation and give them a solid #2 to their ace Carlos Zambrano. If Mark Prior would somehow recover from his constant arm problems, the Cubs would be the early favorites in the NL Central, and probably also serious contenders for the NL pennant as well. The three year deal is probably not enough to land Schmidt on a team other than the Mariners, still considered the favorites to acquire the former Giants ace. I am still not completely sold on the Cubs, even if they were to land Schmidt, but this certainly would be a big signing for them and one that would generate more wins for them next year than the Soriano deal. This of course is all up for debate since the information comes from SI's John Donovan, and he is routinely incorrect about such things.