The SF Chronicle reported today:

Sanchez said the Giants have asked him to get work as a starter in winter ball in Puerto Rico.

And I still think re-signing Schmidt is the right move.

Based on this comment by Sanchez, it looks like it will be Morris, Lowry, Cain, and Sanchez in the rotation next season barring any horrible implosion on Sanchez's part in winter ball or spring training.

I still prefer retaining Schmidt to fill the rotation.  Eliminates any thoughts of bringing Lincecum to big show to start season.  Morris has proven to be the average pitcher most of us thought he was.  Lowry has regressed this season, which is the real Lowry, he's been very average this season and, frankly, if you took out August of 2005, he was very ordinary in 2005 also.  And Sanchez will be a first season starter, to expect him to be average, let alone above average, would be high expectations, rookies you cannot rely on for a good performance, even King Feliz did not deliver the goods.  Plus he's probably competing with Hennessey and Correia for that spot.

That leaves only Cain as the pitcher Giants fans can expect to give a good or better performance in 2007.

Some have suggested getting some middle rotation guy like Ted Lilly or even retaining Wright.  Wright I would keep as long relief or middle relief at best, but I don't think he'll be back at the $2.5M option the Giants have on him, he's probably going free agency.  Lilly would be another expensive middling pitcher, no offense, but the salaries for average pitchers are outrageous, I would rather start Hennessey or Correia instead or maybe even Lincecum rather take on a $5-7M pitcher who can eat IP.  I see a lot of these vets sitting on the sidelines one of these off-seasons when teams come to their senses.

Speaking of starting Hennessey or Correia, I wouldn't mind seeing how they might develop as a starter, but a rotation with Cain, Morris, Lowry, Sanchez, and Hennessey/Correia would not inspire thoughts of competing for the division title, it would scream re-building year.

No, it would take a Schmidt signing or acquiring some other good (good, not middling) pitcher without much cost in prospects (somehow) to give us two top starters to head the rotation in 2007.  Schmidt is the most attractive option I've seen out there, mainly because in my mind it is either Schmidt or Zito.