The Cardinals lead the National League in runs scored even after losing their best hitter (Albert Pujols) to free agency and getting barely any offense from another one of last year's major contributors (Lance Berkman). Here are the latest Cardinals-related notes…
- The trade of Tyler Greene and the promotion of Ryan Jackson serve as reminders that Cardinals have had trouble developing shortstops, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch writes. While Cardinals officials and scouts consider Jackson a strong defender, he wasn’t expected to pass former first rounders Greene and Pete Kozma on the team’s depth chart. Rafael Furcal is under contract for 2013, but he has lingering back issues.
- Derrick Goold, Rick Hummel, Jeff Gordon and Larry Borowsky weigh in on Kyle Lohse's next contract at the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Lohse hits free agency this coming offseason and should sign for at least three years at $10MM-plus per season, the writers suggest.
- Mark Buehrle’s name comes up in the Post-Dispatch discussion, and there are some similarities between Buehrle and Lohse, but I don’t expect Lohse to obtain a $56MM contract, like Buehrle did. That said, I think Lohse could match Ted Lilly's three-year, $33MM contract from two offseasons ago. Lohse has said he’s open to midseason extension talks, so he may not even reach the open market.
- The Cardinals announced that they purchased Jackson's contract from Triple-A.
Lilly is another Lohse could be compared to, but all these sports “beat writers” just keep forgetting that both Buehrle and Lilly are LH and both had at least some kind of a successful track record previously.
Most GM’s are not nearly as gullible as 90% of the beat writers.
Lohse does have “at least some kind of a successful track record”
I wouldn’t consider 2, maybe 3 seasons out of 12 the same level of consistency as Buehrle and Lilly’s.
He’s had 5 good season in his career. Many of the seasons in which he stays healthy, he’s done well. This year is his best so far and it just so happens to be a contract year. He’s 12-2 with a sub 3 ERA. He’s going to get paid, and deserves it.
I agree. I believe Lohse would be a good bargain for the Cardinals in a similar contract he signed mid season before. Possibly 3-4 years 10-11 mil per.
Why would Lohse get the same type of contract he got last time? He was injured for 2 years after signing but the last 2 years hes been terrific.
As a Cards fan I hated that contract when we gave it to him. My thoughts are you dont give someone a 4 year 41 million dollar deal for a career year. Well now hes coming off 2 years where he has been even better.
He has earned a big contract, much bigger than 4 years 41 million. Probably wont be from the Cards but hes earned it.
If Jackson wasn’t expected to pass Greene or Kozma on the depth chart than why is he the only one in STL? Also, he’s played far more games at short in AAA than Kozma. Maybe it wasn’t expected but it surely looks like it happened.
There’s really nothing in the system to be excited about at SS. To be fair, there’s not many teams that have had success at developing good SS’s.
I would like to see the Cardinals make a trade for Andrus in the offseason.
That’s not happening. Especially with furcal still on the roster.
All of you guys are more willing to give lohse big money over me.
I hated the deal he signed 4 years ago, i wouldn’t dream of repeating it.
2 years/25ish mutual 3rd year for some 12.5.
No way do I go higher or guarantee the third year.
Lohse isn’t a necessary piece and we wouldn’t have to sign a free agent if we let him walk.
One of lohse and Westbrook is leaving. Westbrook isn’t as good as lohse, but he might be sig cheaper.
Cardinals have pitching options for 2013, lohse isn’t necessary, especially over another 4 years.
4 years is a bit too much going into his mid 30s. However, I would think his injuries are taken care of for a while, and if we can get 3 comparable years to what he is doing this year, it could be worth it. I’d be happy with the contract you suggested. So, to say it in fewer words, I agree.
What team has a long illustrious history of developing good SS’s anyway. I can’t think of any.
Lilly has the advantage of being LH, nothing else. I really see no other difference between Lilly and Lohse other than that and never have. Never was a fan of Lilly either. he was an inning eating BP pitcher for the NYY and Toronto until he moved over to the Cubs and later the LAD.
Lohse can probably last another 3-4 years if he plays in a huge park and man.. Could you see him at Petco?
Agreed on the prices for pitching, it’s just outrageous and teams now are (pretty much) holding onto what they have that is near MLB ready, other than the Tigers moving Jacob Turner, very little close to ready possible impact pitching was dealt as the deadline.